How does Leviticus 4:17 connect to Jesus' sacrifice in the New Testament? The Original Picture in Leviticus 4:17 “ And the priest is to dip his finger in the blood and sprinkle it seven times before the LORD in front of the veil.” (Leviticus 4:17) What Happened in the Tabernacle • An animal has just been slain for a sin offering (Leviticus 4:3–12). • The priest carries some of that blood into the Holy Place. • He sprinkles it seven times before the LORD, right in front of the curtain that hides the Most Holy Place. • The action publicly declares, “Blood has been shed; atonement is under way,” yet full access to God is still blocked by the veil. Sevenfold Sprinkling—A Sign of Perfect, Complete Atonement • Throughout Scripture, seven symbolizes fullness or completion (Genesis 2:2; Joshua 6:4; Revelation 1:4). • The repeated sprinkling teaches that nothing less than complete, perfect cleansing can satisfy God’s holiness. The Veil—A Constant Reminder of Separation • The curtain kept worshipers—and even priests—out of the immediate presence of God (Exodus 26:33). • Blood could approach the veil, but the worshiper could not; sin still stood in the way. How Jesus Fulfills the Picture • Jesus is both the greater High Priest and the perfect sacrifice (Hebrews 9:11–12). • He entered not an earthly Holy Place but “the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made by hands” (Hebrews 9:11). • He offered His own blood “once for all” (Hebrews 9:12, 26). • The veil of the earthly temple was torn from top to bottom the moment He died (Matthew 27:51; Mark 15:38; Luke 23:45), proving the barrier is gone. Sprinkling of Blood in the New Covenant • Believers are “sprinkled with His blood” for obedience (1 Peter 1:2). • We come “to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel” (Hebrews 12:24). • Because of that sprinkled blood we may “enter the Holy Places by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the veil, that is, His flesh” (Hebrews 10:19–20). Key Parallels • Blood before the veil → Jesus’ blood opens the way past the veil. • Sevenfold completeness → Christ’s atonement is perfectly sufficient; nothing can be added. • Priest’s finger → Personal application of blood; Jesus applies His own blood to the believer’s heart. Practical Takeaway • Full, confident access to God is now ours (Hebrews 4:16). • Our conscience can rest; the sacrifice is complete and accepted. |
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