How does Leviticus 4:28 connect to Christ's ultimate sacrifice for sin? Context of Leviticus 4:28 “if his sin which he has committed is made known to him, then he shall bring as his offering a goat, a female without blemish, for his sin which he has committed.” • This verse sits within the sin-offering instructions that God gave Israel. • It addresses an individual who sins unintentionally yet becomes aware of guilt. • A spotless animal substitutes for the guilty person, its death securing atonement (v. 31). Key Elements of the Sin Offering • Personal guilt: the sinner must recognize wrongdoing. • Substitution: an innocent, flawless animal bears the penalty. • Blood applied: the priest sprinkles blood “before the LORD” (v. 30), signaling life exchanged for life (Leviticus 17:11). • Forgiveness secured: “and he will be forgiven” (Leviticus 4:31). Foreshadowing Christ • Recognition of sin → Conviction by the Spirit (John 16:8). • Unblemished animal → Christ “a lamb without blemish or spot” (1 Peter 1:19). • Substitutionary death → “He was pierced for our transgressions” (Isaiah 53:5-6). • Blood applied by a priest → Jesus, our High Priest, offers His own blood in the heavenly sanctuary (Hebrews 9:11-14). • Resulting forgiveness → “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins” (Ephesians 1:7). Christ’s Fulfillment • Once-for-all sacrifice: “we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all” (Hebrews 10:10). • Perfect effectiveness: animal blood covered sin temporarily; Christ’s blood removes it permanently (Hebrews 10:4, 14). • Universal reach: sin offering in Leviticus covered Israelites; Christ’s offering is “for the sins of the whole world” (1 John 2:2). • Conscience cleansed: Old Covenant rituals purified outwardly; the cross cleanses “our conscience from dead works” (Hebrews 9:14). Implications for Believers Today • Sin still matters; conviction should lead us straight to the cross rather than to repeated animal sacrifices. • Confidence in complete forgiveness rests not on repeated rituals but on the finished work of Jesus (John 19:30). • Gratitude fuels obedience: “He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves” (2 Corinthians 5:15). |
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