What connections exist between 2 Chronicles 29:21 and Christ's ultimate sacrifice for sin? Setting the Scene “ They brought seven bulls, seven rams, seven lambs, and seven male goats as a sin offering for the kingdom, for the sanctuary, and for Judah. And Hezekiah told the priests, the sons of Aaron, to offer them on the altar of the LORD.” 2 Chronicles 29:21 Hezekiah is cleansing a defiled temple. The first step is blood on the altar—atonement must come before renewed worship. Key Features of the Hezekiah Offering • Four kinds of animals • All for “a sin offering” • Repeated number seven (the biblical symbol of completeness) • Offered by Aaronic priests on behalf of the king, the temple, and the nation Every detail anticipates a richer, final fulfillment in Christ. How the Old Sacrifice Points to the Cross • Substitution: Innocent life for guilty people (cf. Leviticus 4). “ He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf.” 2 Corinthians 5:21. • Blood: “ Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.” Hebrews 9:22. • Transfer of guilt: Hands laid on the animals (v. 23) prefigures our sin laid on Jesus (Isaiah 53:6). The Significance of the Number Seven Seven bulls, rams, lambs, goats—four sets of seven declare full, comprehensive atonement. Christ embodies that completeness: “ By one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified.” Hebrews 10:14. Why Four Different Animals? • Bull—strength and service; Christ’s obedience unto death (Philippians 2:8). • Ram—substitution (recall the ram for Isaac, Genesis 22); Christ in our place. • Lamb—innocence; “ Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” John 1:29. • Goat—sin-bearing (Day of Atonement, Leviticus 16); Jesus carries away our guilt “outside the camp” (Hebrews 13:11-12). Every facet of atonement finds a living counterpart in Jesus. For the Kingdom, the Sanctuary, and Judah—A Wider Atonement Foreshadowed • Kingdom: Political life • Sanctuary: Spiritual life • Judah: Personal life of the people Christ reconciles every realm: “ Through Him to reconcile to Himself all things.” Colossians 1:20. Priest and Sacrifice United in Jesus Hezekiah needed priests to act for him. At Calvary, the roles merge: • “ He entered the Most Holy Place once for all by His own blood.” Hebrews 9:12. • “ He has no need to offer sacrifices day after day…He did this once for all when He offered Himself.” Hebrews 7:27. Jesus is both Priest and Offering, ending the old cycle of animal blood. Repeated Blood vs. Once-for-All Blood • Old covenant: thousands of animals, never finishing the job (Hebrews 10:1-4). • New covenant: one perfect sacrifice, forever effective (Hebrews 10:10-12). The many sevens of 2 Chronicles 29 anticipate the single, complete “seventh” in Christ—the Sabbath rest of finished redemption (Hebrews 4:9-10). Personal Takeaways • God always begins renewal with the cross; cleansing precedes revival. • Christ’s sacrifice is broad enough for every arena of life and deep enough for every sin. • Because the offering is final, we worship from forgiveness, not toward it. |
    |