How does Leviticus 4:7 connect to Christ's ultimate sacrifice for our sins? Setting the Scene: Leviticus 4:7 “The priest shall then put some of the blood on the horns of the altar of fragrant incense before the LORD in the Tent of Meeting. The rest of the bull’s blood he must pour out at the base of the altar of burnt offering at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting.” What Took Place in the Tabernacle • A sin offering for unintentional transgression. • Two distinct actions with the blood: – Applied to the horns of the incense altar inside the holy place. – Poured out at the base of the bronze altar in the courtyard. • The priest served as mediator, handling the blood on behalf of the guilty. Why the Blood on the Horns? • Horns symbolized power, safety, and appeal for mercy (cf. 1 Kings 1:50). • Placing blood there declared that sin’s guilt reached even into the place of prayer and worship, yet God provided cleansing right where intercession occurred. • It foreshadowed a greater Intercessor whose own blood would secure unfailing access to God (Hebrews 4:14-16). Blood Poured at the Base of the Burnt Offering Altar • The altar in the courtyard was where daily burnt offerings blazed; it was covered in blood to demonstrate complete surrender and atonement. • Pouring out the remainder showed that the whole life of the victim was given up—nothing held back. • This public act, visible to all who entered, testified that forgiveness required a costly, visible sacrifice (Hebrews 9:22). Echoes Forward to Golgotha • Hebrews 9:12-14—Jesus, our High Priest, “entered the Most Holy Place once for all by His own blood.” • Hebrews 9:24-26—He entered the true sanctuary in heaven, not an earthly copy. • Hebrews 13:11-12—Just as sin-offering carcasses were burned outside the camp, Jesus suffered “outside the city gate, to sanctify the people by His own blood.” • John 19:34—His blood was literally poured out, fulfilling the poured blood at the bronze altar. • The horns of the altar point to the strength of His salvation; the incense altar speaks of His ceaseless intercession (Romans 8:34). New Covenant Fulfillment in Jesus • Sin’s penalty still demands blood, but Christ’s sacrifice is once-for-all, achieving what endless animal offerings never could (Hebrews 10:11-14). • Romans 3:25—God presented Jesus “as an atoning sacrifice, through faith in His blood.” • 1 John 1:7—“The blood of Jesus His Son purifies us from all sin.” • Believers now approach the heavenly altar with confidence because the blood has already been applied. Practical Takeaways Today • Christ’s blood secures unfettered access to God’s presence; prayer rests on an accomplished atonement. • The poured-out life of Jesus calls for wholehearted devotion in return (Romans 12:1). • Sin is serious; forgiveness is costly—but completely provided. • Confidence in worship flows from a historical, literal sacrifice that perfectly satisfied divine justice. |
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