Lesson 3
“For the Law, since it has only a shadow of
the good things to come and not the very form of things, can never by the same
sacrifices year by year, which they offer continually, make perfect those who draw
near. Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered, because the
worshipers, having once been cleansed, would no longer have had consciousness
of sins? But in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins year by year. For
it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins” -
Hebrews 10:1-4
We have made
the observation in lesson one that God’s Kingdom extends over two areas:
Creation and Redemption. If the basis of his reign over creation is his power,
what is the basis of God’s reign in redemption? What is the foundation
for his rule in the church as seen in the Old Covenant?
As we view the
shadows of the Kingdom, one shade that made an indelible impression upon the
minds of God’s people was that of sacrifice. For them, to call the Old
Testament sacrificial system a shadow would be making light of the very
tangible and often horrid realities that this system displayed. The bloodshed,
death, and stench that permeated the temple and tabernacle complex were enough
to forever sear into their minds the seriousness with which God dealt with the
people. Instead of the temple being the ancient Disneyland at which devotees
frolicked in ritual and religious experience, it was a place of fear and
reverence as one came painfully aware of sin’s penalty and God’s
ominous holiness. However, as believers on both sides of the cross, we glory in
Christ’s great sacrifice to which all others merely foreshadowed; we
glory in the cross as we find a refuge from sin’s dread sway and tyranny;
we glory in God’s appointed resolution of mercy and justice: a substitutionary sacrifice. It is upon this basis that God
can graciously govern and commune with His church.
The first five
chapters of Leviticus give us five different offerings, which together help us
to survey Christ’s sacrifice for us: the basis of his rule over the
church. In our examination of these sacrifices, we can only briefly highlight
some of the many shadows that find their substance in the New Covenant reality.
Every part of
the burnt offering was consumed by fire, thereby marking a person’s
complete dedication to God. This offering accentuates Christ’s complete
dedication to the Father. Jesus stated "I can do nothing on my own
initiative. As I hear, I judge; and my judgment is just, because I do not seek
my own will, but the will of Him who sent me” (John 5:30).
In tandem with
the words of our Lord, the author of Hebrews makes this enlightening statement:
“For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. 5 Therefore, when He comes into the world, He says, "SACRIFICE AND OFFERING THOU HAST NOT DESIRED, BUT A BODY THOU HAST PREPARED FOR ME; 6 IN WHOLE BURNT OFFERINGS AND sacrifices FOR SIN THOU HAST TAKEN NO PLEASURE. 7 ¶ "THEN I SAID, 'BEHOLD, I HAVE COME (IN THE ROLL OF THE BOOK IT IS WRITTEN OF ME) TO DO THY WILL, O GOD.'" (Heb 10:4-7).
In contrast to
the burnt offerings in Leviticus which could not remove sin, Christ removes sin
by being that whole and perfect ‘burnt offering’ to God. He
exercises complete dedication to God as the incarnate Son doing God’s
will completely in the work of atonement.
“Every
good thing bestowed and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the
Father of Lights” (James 1:17). In recognition of this, the grain
offering was the acknowledgment by God’s people of his gift of
sustenance. In his providential love, Yahweh provides the bread we partake of,
as well as that which quenches our thirst. In reference to Christ’s
sacrifice, this offering highlights the truth that Jesus is “the corn of
wheat (John 12:24) which went through the crushing mill of Gethsemane and the
fierce oven of
“Peace
signifies...reconciliation, concord, and communion. And so these were called
peace-offerings, because in them God and his people did, as it were, feast
together, in token of friendship” (Henry I.357).
It is the grand
proposition of the New Testament that Christ has appeased the enmity of God
towards us by becoming the sacrifice that changes hatred into friendship. In
the words of Paul, “He Himself is our Peace” (Eph 2:14). In
Colossians 1:20, the apostle expounds this truth when he states that,
“through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace
through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or
things in heaven.” Just as Christ calmed the tempestuous tides that raged
against his disquieted disciple’s, so he has calmed the bellows of
God’s anger that raged against our sin plagued hearts. Since Christ is our
Peace offering, perfect peace surrounds our souls as the breeze of God’s
good pleasure fills our sail with the view of bringing us to that heavenly
shore.
Although some
details are repeated in the three offerings already dealt with, I have not
mentioned them because of their crucial role in these next two offerings. The
sin offering was considered the most important, for it deals specifically with
the very thing that causes such a massive rift between us and God. Whereas the
last three offering were voluntary, the last two are compulsory, for they are
essential for communion with a holy God.
In the sin
offering, the idea of substitution and identification is presented. The sinner
lays his hands upon a bull, goat, or lamb without blemish, which signifies the
transference of guilt from the transgressor to the innocent. The animal’s
life is then taken; its blood being sprinkled before the LORD. The offending
party is now ‘forgiven’ and ‘freed’ because the punishment
was bore by another.
What a clear
and vivid foreshadowing of our Lord’s substitutionary
atonement! Jesus, the spotless lamb, bears the sins of his people. Christ, free
from any taint of sin, endures the punishment due to us so that we might go free.
God “made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, that we might
become the righteousness of God in Him” (2Cor 5:21).
Though similar,
the sin and trespass offering exhibit some differences. The sin offering seems
to deal with sins of omission, whereas the trespass offering deals with sins of
commission. Some have suggested that the sin offering deals with the nature of
sin, whereas the trespass offering deals the actions that follow. In any case,
anyone contemplating the word “trespass” will be reminded of posted
signs that state, “Do not trespass.” Anyone crossing such
boundaries could be in danger of death. In a similar vein, God has
‘posted’ signs on certain activities. Failure to comply means death
and banishment from New Jerusalem. Not only have we crossed such boundaries,
but we have done so with impunity. We have reveled in crossing this line like a
football player dancing in the in-zone after crossing that touch down mark.
Just as with
the sin offering, Christ bears this death on the tree for us. Colossians
2:13&14 clearly testify to God’s gracious work in removing our
trespasses. Ҧ And when you were dead in your transgressions and
the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive
together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions, 14 having
canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us and which
was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the
cross.”
Conclusion:
These five offerings, taken together, give us a radiant portrait of that one
great sacrifice of God’s Son. He rules his redeemed upon the foundation
of his sacrifice. He governs his church with the wooden scepter of the cross;
our King holds his church in the palms of his scared hands. The crown that
distinguishes Him as the ruler of the church bears thorns and briers.
He, Sovereign Priest, stooping His regal head, That dropt with adorous oil down His fair eyes, Poor fleshly tabernacle enter’d, His starry front low-roof’d, beneath the skies; Oh, what a mask was there, was a disguise! Yet more; the stroke of death He must abide, Then lies Him meekly down, fast by His brethren’s side. -John Milton
Possible Discussion Questions
1. Discuss the notion of
Substitution and Identification as found in the offerings.
2. In what ways do the five
offerings foreshadow Christ’s sacrifice?
3. In what ways were the offerings
inadequate?
4. How do these offerings relate to
Christian Service?
Works
cited
Henry, Matthew Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible Hendrickson
Publishers, Inc. Vol. 1, 1991.
Slemming, Charles W Thou Shalt
Serve: An Exposition of the Offerings and the Feasts of