The Burnt Offering

April 13, 2022 in Today's Worship by TGV

Leviticus 1: Worship Guide/ 3-BSG-0A, (Leviticus 1:1-17)/ Theme: The Burnt Offering/ Hymn: Jesus Paid It All (SDAH 184)


 

Exploration: The Burnt Offering, a type of Christ – (see Heb 7:25, 26; 1 Jn 3:5; 2 Cor 5:21; 1 Pet 1:18-19).

Reflection: Welcome to the Book of Leviticus. The Location – (Israel is at Mount Sinai for one full year). Time (about 1446BC). Theme – (How sinful humanity can approach and worship a holy God). Key Verses – (Lev. 16:16; 17:11, 19:2, 20:7-8). Christ in Leviticus – (In every sacrifice, every ritual, every feast). Leviticus 1-17 discusses the Sinner’s access to (or the way to God), while Leviticus 18-27 stresses the sinner’s lifestyle (or the walk with God). Here, Israelites were taught rituals for worship: how to worship/ approach a holy God. Secondly, they were given practical guidelines: living a holy life. Hence, Leviticus is best known as the Book of Sanctification and Worship.

This chapter discusses the Burnt Offering (1:3–17). It can be developed as follows: Characteristics for the burnt offering (3); The Sinner’s free will (3b) and the transference of guilt (4); The Procedure for offering a Bull as a burnt offering (5–9); The Procedure for offering a Sheep or a Goat as a burnt offering (10–13); The Procedure for Offering a Bird as a burnt offering (14–17).

Devotional Implication: The idea of sacrifice to the gods was not unique to Israel. Other nations and cultures practiced sacrifice; however, only Israel sacrificed to the one true God. Israel knew that animal sacrifices were primarily used as offerings for sin. From Eden, Sin was dealt with through sacrifice. This was not the beginning of God’s sacrificial system. Adam knew of sacrifice (Gen. 3:21), as did Cain and Abel (Gen. 4:3–4) and Noah (Gen. 8:20–21).

But why kill animals to worship God? Every time an animal was sacrificed, it vividly reminded Israel that sin is deadly serious (Gen 2:17). When an animal’s life was given to pay the penalty of sin, the guilty person was pardoned and cleansed. By placing his hand on the head of the animal to be sacrificed (Lev 1:4), the sinner transferred his sins to the animal. The sinner saw how the animal was dying “as a substitute” for his sin. Blood, representing the animal’s life, was the cleansing agent that removed sin (Lev. 17:11). The point is this: “Life is in the blood” (Lev. 17:11), and “without shedding of Blood, there is no remission for sin” (Heb. 9:22). God was teaching Israel that the ‘spotless’ Lamb of God would be sacrificed for all humanity one day. These sacrifices pointed toward the coming Sacrifice – Jesus Christ. The Burnt Offering was indeed a type (a symbol) of Christ.

The Gospel’s Voice: This section is written as if God were speaking directly to you—because He does. What does the LORD say to me this morning? My son, Jesus Christ, is that Lamb “without blemish” (Lev 1:3; Jn 1:9; 1 Pet 1:19) who was sacrificed for you at Calvary. On that day, He took your place (penalty) that you might live forever. His precious blood was poured out for you! (Mk 14:24). I desire to bless, sanctify, and seal you for My kingdom, but your sins stand in the way (Isa 59:1-2). Oh, that you confess, repent, and come to Jesus for cleansing. Would you?

My Desire: By God’s grace, I want to – 1. Come at the door of the Tabernacle (Lev. 1:3) and confess my sins; 2. Ask Jesus, the spotless Lamb of God, to pardon my sins and cleanse me; 3. Render to God my offering, service, and talents freely as He gave His life willingly to me.

Have A Blessed Day: “Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.” (Acts 3:19, NKJV)


 

Worship Through Singing:  Jesus paid it all, All to Him I owe! (SDAH 184)

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