How does Leviticus 9:21 connect with New Testament teachings on sacrifice? Reading Leviticus 9:21 “Aaron waved the breasts and the right thigh as a wave offering before the LORD, as Moses had commanded.” What is happening at the altar? • The breasts and right thigh are the choicest parts of the peace offering (Leviticus 7:31–34). • Aaron “waves” them—lifts and moves them toward and away from the altar—symbolically presenting them to God and then receiving them back for priestly consumption. • The action certifies that the whole animal has been offered: blood poured out, fat burned, and select portions consecrated. • God, priest, and worshiper share in the meal, declaring restored fellowship. How this scene foreshadows Christ • Presentation to God: Jesus “offered Himself without blemish to God” (Hebrews 9:14). The wave motion anticipates the upward–downward movement of the Son who ascends to the Father and returns with blessing (John 20:17, Acts 1:9–11). • Accepted substitute: Just as Aaron holds up the choicest portions, the Father receives the perfection of His Son’s life in place of sinners (Hebrews 10:10). • Fellowship secured: The peace-offering meal looks ahead to reconciliation through Christ’s cross (Colossians 1:20) and to the communion table where believers partake of the benefits of His sacrifice (1 Corinthians 10:16). New Testament echoes • Hebrews 7:27 – Unlike Aaron, Jesus “does not need to offer sacrifices day after day… He sacrificed for sins once for all when He offered Himself.” • Hebrews 13:15 – Because the final offering is complete, believers now “continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise.” • Ephesians 5:2 – “Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God,” language lifted straight from Leviticus worship vocabulary. • Romans 12:1 – The wave offering’s outward gesture becomes the believer’s call to “present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God.” • 1 Peter 2:5 – Christians are “a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices,” sharing the priestly privilege once limited to Aaron’s sons. Key takeaways for today • God still requires a perfect, presented sacrifice; Jesus has supplied it once for all. • The fellowship meal begun in Leviticus is fulfilled at the Lord’s Table and will culminate at the marriage supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19:9). • Our response is continual self-presentation—lives lifted in gratitude, holiness, and service—mirroring Aaron’s wave yet grounded in Christ’s finished work. |
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