Highlights In Today's Reading:
The Lord is saying again to Moses: Speak unto the children of Israel (4:2). In today's reading we discover how sin is confronted and how people guilty of sin can approach the holy sinless God. In His marvelous mercy Christ made a way!
There were certain conditions necessary to make a sin offering acceptable to God. Every man had to bring his own sacrifice to God. The worshipper had to offer it willingly and take a personal part by laying his hands on the head of his sacrifice to make it representative of his sins. Then he slew the animal, and the body of this sin offering was burned without (outside) the camp. Consequently the camp would not be defiled, because, as the intermediary between God and man, the Lord dwelt in its midst (Numbers 5:3). But only the priest could offer the blood sacrifice. Requirements of the sin offering were: If a soul shall sin through ignorance against any of the Commandments of the Lord . . . let him bring for his sin . . . a young bullock without blemish unto the Lord for a sin offering. . . . Even the whole bullock shall he carry forth without the camp unto a clean place, where the ashes are poured out (Leviticus 4:2-3,12).
In other offerings, the offerer came as a worshipper, but here he came as a convicted sinner. The sin offering was a distinct witness to the fact that sin exists within the heart of all mankind (Jeremiah 17:9; Romans 3:23, 5:12). God has provided just one sacrifice for sin which can redeem and restore a sinner. He (God) hath made Him (Jesus) to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him (II Corinthians 5:21).
To demonstrate its seriousness, if a priest sinned, his sacrifice was equal to that of the whole congregation (Leviticus 4:14,23). Christians are a royal priesthood (I Peter 2:9) and have a similar influence and an obligation to abstain from fleshly lusts (2:11).
The sin offering typified Christ who would die in the sinner's place. Animal sacrifices served their purpose until Christ shed His sinless blood on the cross for man's sins (Hebrews 10:10). Today by faith, the sinner believes that Jesus died in his place and receives Christ as Savior and Lord of his life. Once this is true, we then should present your (our) bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your (our) reasonable service (Romans 12:1).
Without shedding of blood is no remission (of sin) (Hebrews 9:22). True repentance will result in obedience to God's Word, and will be evidenced by a transformed life.
Thought for Today:
To obtain forgiveness we can't shift blame on to others but we must confess our own sins (I John 1:9).
Christ Revealed:
Through the body of the young bull which was burned without the camp (Leviticus 4:12). This pictures Jesus as He suffered without the gate (Heb. 13:11-12).
Word Studies:
4:20 an atonement =forgiven; 5:2 unclean =defiled as stated in the Law; 5:8 asunder =in two parts; 5:10 manner =law, ordinance; 5:17 bear his iniquity =ebar the consequences of his sin; 5:18 Thy estimation =valued by you; 6:14 meat =grain; 6:18 statute =ordinance, rule; 6:28 sodden =soiled.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for The English International Shortwave Radio Broadcasts in honor of Caroline Stout's birthday • Bible Pathway Printer: Ambrose Printing Staff, Nashville TN • Government Official: Sen. John Cornyn (TX) • Country: Brazil (168 million) in South America • Major languages: Portuguese and Spanish • Religious freedom • 67% Catholic; 21% Protestant; 4% Spiritist; .7% Buddhist; .7% Muslim; .15% Indigenous; 2.4% Other • Prayer Suggestion: Seek the Lord in prayer, turn from your sinful ways, and God will have mercy and pardon for you (Isaiah 55:6-7).
Optional Reading: Mark 5
Memory Verse for the Week: Philippians 3:10