What role do the priests play in Leviticus 1:5, and why is it significant? Setting the Scene Leviticus opens with instructions for burnt offerings—sacrifices that are wholly consumed on the altar. The worshiper brings an unblemished animal, lays a hand on its head (v. 4), and personally slaughters it. That is where the priests step in. The Priest’s Task in Leviticus 1:5 “Then he is to slaughter the young bull before the LORD, and Aaron’s sons the priests shall present the blood and sprinkle it all around on the altar that is at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting.” What the priests actually do: • Receive the blood from the worshiper • “Present” (offer) it to God—an act of representation • Sprinkle it on every side of the bronze altar, consecrating both altar and sacrifice Why the Priest’s Role Is So Significant • Mediator between sinful people and a holy God • Guardians of holiness – Only priests may handle the blood (Numbers 18:7) • Application of atoning blood – Leviticus 17:11: “the life of the flesh is in the blood… to make atonement for your souls.” • Maintains covenant order – Precise obedience (Leviticus 10:1-2 shows the danger of deviation) • Foreshadowing the ultimate High Priest – Hebrews 9:11-14 links priestly blood-ministry to Christ’s once-for-all sacrifice Threads Woven Through Scripture • Day of Atonement—blood applied by the high priest (Leviticus 16) • Passover—sprinkled blood protects from judgment (Exodus 12:7,13) • New Covenant—“without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness” (Hebrews 9:22) • Christ’s mediation—“Jesus… entered the Most Holy Place once for all by His own blood” (Hebrews 9:12) Why It Still Matters Today • Shows God’s unchanging demand for holiness and a mediator • Underscores the necessity of substitutionary blood atonement, fulfilled in Christ • Assures believers of access to God through the sprinkled blood of Jesus (1 Peter 1:2) The priests in Leviticus 1:5 do more than perform ritual; they visibly declare that only by divinely appointed mediation and by blood can worshipers draw near to the LORD—a truth perfectly realized in the finished work of our Great High Priest. |
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