Bible Pathways 02/02/2002
February 02
Read Leviticus 4 -- 6
In Today's Reading:
Moses explained how people guilty of sin could have their sins covered so they could be at peace with God. In His marvelous mercy, He made a way! It is important that you know this.
Verse for Today:
He shall bring the bullock to the door of the Tabernacle of the congregation before the Lord; and shall lay his hand upon the bullock's head, and kill the bullock before the Lord (Leviticus 4:4).
Highlights:
Sin Offering; Trespass Offering; further directions concerning Burnt, Meat (meal), and Sin Offerings.
The priest (among other things) was to sprinkle the blood seven times before the Lord. . . . and . . . pour out all the blood at the bottom of the altar. . . . and . . . make an atonement for them (Leviticus 4:17-18). The Sin Offering was mandatory. The life of the flesh is in the blood and God has given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that makes an atonement for the soul (17:11). Since an animal is without sin, its blood could be made an acceptable temporary atonement for sin. The Sin Offering was a testimony not only to the fact that this person was a sinner, but that God had provided a way for the sinner to become reconciled to Him. It was always the first sacrifice presented to God. A bullock was offered for the sins of the high priest and a bullock for the collective sins of the people, a male goat for a ruler and a female goat or lamb for the sins of an individual. Every adult male was required to bring his own lamb, goat, or bullock to offer upon the Brazen Altar before the Tabernacle where God dwelt. The poor could bring two pigeons or two turtle doves.
With other offerings, the Israelite came as a worshiper; but, when offering a Sin or Trespass Offering, he came confessing himself a sinner. The priest sprinkled the blood before the Lord, and the worshiper's sins were covered. However, no mere animal could be an absolute substitute for a sinner; it could only provide a temporary covering for sin. Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered (Psalms 32:1). But sins were not removed until Christ who know no sin died on the cross that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him (2 Corinthians 5:21). In the fulness of the time God sent forth His Son . . . to redeem them that were under the Law that we might receive the adoption of sons (Galatians 4:4-5).
Since Jesus shed His sinless blood on the cross for the sins of all mankind, an animal sacrifice now would be meaningless. By nature, all mankind is a sinner, and therefore are children of wrath (Ephesians 2:3).
The Lord Jesus Christ not only presented Himself as the Perfect Sacrifice for our sins, but He also fulfilled the position of High Priest, becoming our great High Priest Who ever lives to make intercession for us (Hebrews 7:25; 2:17; 4:15).
A Thought from Psalms: This is the day which the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it (118:24).
Christ Revealed:
Through the body of the young bull which was burned outside the camp symbolically removing sin from the offerer (Leviticus 4:12). This pictures Jesus as He suffered outside the gate bearing the sins of the world (see Hebrews 13:11-12).
Word Studies:
4:20 an atonement = a reconciliation; 5:2 unclean = ceremonially defiled as prescribed by law; 5:4 swear = make a vow; 5:11 an ephah contains about one bushel; as touching = concerning; 6:5 appertaineth = belongs; 6:10 breeches = undergarments; 6:22 wholly burnt = entirely given to the Lord; 6:28 sodden = boiled.
Prayer Needs:
Government Officials: Sen. Mike Enzi (WY), Rep. Tom Lantos (CA), and Rep. Paul Gillmor (OH) · Pray for your Sunday School teacher · Country: San Marino (25,000) inside north-central Italy · Major language: Italian · Religious freedom · 95% Roman Catholic; 5% atheist · Prayer Suggestion: Magnify the Lord; exalt His Name (Psalms 34:3).
Optional Reading: Mark 5
Memory Verse for the Week: Matthew 5:6
