How does understanding Leviticus 5:19 deepen our appreciation for Christ's sacrifice? Leviticus 5:19—God’s clear verdict “‘It is a guilt offering; he was certainly guilty before the LORD.’” (Leviticus 5:19) The Old-Covenant guilt offering at a glance • Sin addressed: unintentional violations of God’s holy things or His commands (vv. 15-17). • Required actions: – Bring a ram “without blemish” (v. 18). – Pay restitution plus twenty percent when sacred property was harmed (v. 16). • Divine purpose: transfer the offender’s guilt to a spotless substitute so that “the priest will make atonement for him, and he will be forgiven” (v. 18). What this teaches about sin • Sin is objective, not subjective—God declares the person “certainly guilty.” • Even accidental sin incurs debt; ignorance never erases responsibility (cf. Numbers 15:27-31). • Restoration with God always costs life and treasure—someone or something must pay. Foreshadowing Christ’s sacrifice • A flawless ram prefigures “the Lamb without blemish or defect” (1 Peter 1:18-19). • Restitution plus twenty percent hints at the super-abundant sufficiency of Christ’s payment: “where sin increased, grace increased all the more” (Romans 5:20). • The priest who “makes atonement” anticipates Jesus, our High Priest, who “offered Himself unblemished to God” (Hebrews 9:14). • The sinner’s assured forgiveness points to the cross where Jesus cried, “It is finished” (John 19:30), declaring the debt fully settled. How understanding Leviticus 5:19 deepens gratitude for the cross • Greater weight of guilt → greater wonder at grace. • Seeing the continual Old-Testament sacrifices → marveling that Christ’s single offering “has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified” (Hebrews 10:14). • Recognizing required restitution → treasuring that Jesus restores more than Adam lost, granting us “every spiritual blessing” (Ephesians 1:3). • Observing the offender’s passive role → resting in Christ’s finished work rather than striving to earn favor. Living in the light of the ultimate guilt offering • Worship with thankful hearts: “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!” (2 Corinthians 9:15). • Hate even unintentional sin, quickly confessing (1 John 1:9). • Extend costly forgiveness to others, mirroring the price Christ paid for us (Ephesians 4:32). |
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