How does Leviticus 9:15 illustrate the importance of sin offerings for atonement? Leviticus 9:15 in its setting “Aaron then presented the offering of the people. He took the male goat for the people’s sin offering, slaughtered it, and offered it for sin like the first one.” Key observations • Aaron’s first task after securing his own standing (vv. 8–14) is to deal with the people’s sin—showing that reconciliation with God begins with atonement. • The substitute is “the male goat,” a spotless animal standing in the place of the guilty, underscoring the seriousness of sin. • The phrase “offered it for sin” accents purpose: the sacrifice’s sole aim is to remove guilt and restore fellowship. • “Like the first one” ties this act to Aaron’s own sin offering, highlighting that priest and people alike need cleansing. Why the sin offering matters for atonement • Divine requirement―not human invention (Leviticus 17:11). • Blood as payment—“without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness” (Hebrews 9:22). • Substitutionary principle—life given for life; the innocent bears the penalty of the guilty (cf. 2 Corinthians 5:21). • God’s holiness upheld—sin is not waved away; it is dealt with through death, showing both justice and mercy. Foreshadowing Christ • The goat anticipates “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). • Repeated offerings point to a better, once-for-all sacrifice (Hebrews 10:4, 12). • Just as Israel’s sin offering was public, Christ’s crucifixion was before all, demonstrating God’s remedy. • The requirement of perfection in the animal prefigures the sinlessness of Jesus (1 Peter 1:18-19). Takeaways for believers today • Sin is deadly serious; atonement always costs life. • God Himself provides the means to approach Him—first through the sacrificial system, ultimately through His Son. • Confidence and gratitude flow from knowing our sin offering has been fully accepted (Romans 5:9-11). |
    |