What is the meaning of Leviticus 19:22? The priest - The spotlight falls first on the ordained mediator. In Israel, only the priest could approach the altar on behalf of a sinner (Leviticus 8:30; Hebrews 5:1). - His God-given office pictures the greater High Priest, Jesus, who “always lives to intercede for them” (Hebrews 7:25). Shall make atonement - Atonement means the covering or removal of guilt through a sacrifice (Leviticus 17:11). - Blood is essential; without it there is no forgiveness (Hebrews 9:22). - The Old Testament ritual anticipates the once-for-all atonement accomplished at the cross (Romans 3:25; 1 John 2:2). On his behalf - The sinner cannot save himself; another must step in (Leviticus 4:20). - This substitution principle is fulfilled when “God made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us” (2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 3:18). Before the LORD - The sacrifice is presented in the very presence of God (Exodus 29:42). - True reconciliation must satisfy the holiness of the One offended, yet He graciously invites us to draw near (Hebrews 4:16). With the ram of the guilt offering - A guilt offering required a flawless ram and often included restitution to the wronged party (Leviticus 5:15-16; 6:5-7). - Isaiah saw the Messiah as that ultimate “guilt offering” (Isaiah 53:10), a picture completed when John pointed to Jesus and said, “Look, the Lamb of God” (John 1:29). For the sin he has committed - Sin here is personal and specific, not a vague defect (Leviticus 4:27-31). - Scripture insists “all have sinned” (Romans 3:23) and even a single offense makes one guilty (James 2:10). And he will be forgiven the sin he has committed - When God prescribes the sacrifice, forgiveness is guaranteed (Leviticus 6:7). - He removes transgressions “as far as the east is from the west” (Psalm 103:12) and grants redemption “through His blood” (Ephesians 1:7; 1 John 1:9). summary Leviticus 19:22 lays out a divine pattern: a God-appointed priest offers a flawless sacrifice in the sinner’s place, right in God’s presence, resulting in full forgiveness. Every detail foreshadows Jesus Christ, the perfect Priest and Sacrifice, who secured eternal redemption for all who trust Him. |
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