What is the meaning of Leviticus 1:11? He shall slaughter it • The worshiper, not the priest, takes the knife. This personal act reminds him that his own sin deserves death (Leviticus 1:5; Romans 6:23). • The animal is a substitute—an innocent life standing in for the guilty, foreshadowing Christ, “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). • Isaiah 53:7 pictures the Messiah “led like a lamb to the slaughter,” tying the burnt offering directly to Jesus’ sacrifice. on the north side of the altar • God specifies the place. In the Tabernacle court, the north side provided shade and orderly traffic flow for continual offerings (Leviticus 7:2). • Exact obedience matters. Noah built the ark “as God commanded” (Genesis 6:22), and Israel offers the sacrifice where God says. Details teach reverence for His holiness. • Later temple visions keep this orientation (Ezekiel 40:40-43), showing continuity in worship. before the LORD • Every sacrifice is presented to God Himself, not merely to a human audience (Leviticus 1:3). • Sin is ultimately against the Lord (Psalm 51:4); therefore, atonement must be made in His presence. • Christ fulfilled this by entering “heaven itself…to appear in God’s presence for us” (Hebrews 9:24). and Aaron’s sons the priests • Priests mediate between God and people (Exodus 29:9). Their role highlights humanity’s need for an intercessor. • The priesthood points ahead to Jesus, our “great High Priest” (Hebrews 4:14), who perfectly bridges the gap. are to splatter its blood • Blood represents life (Leviticus 17:11). Sprinkling it proclaims that a life has been given in payment for sin. • “Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness” (Hebrews 9:22). The pattern runs from the Passover lamb (Exodus 12:7) to Calvary (Matthew 26:28). • The vigorous splattering underscores both the costliness of sin and the sufficiency of the sacrifice. against the altar on all sides • Covering the altar completely shows that the atonement is comprehensive; nothing is left untouched (Leviticus 3:2). • The altar, a place of judgment, is now marked by life-giving blood, turning wrath into acceptance (Ephesians 2:13). • This anticipates the cross where Christ’s blood reaches “all sides”—Jews and Gentiles alike (Revelation 5:9). summary Leviticus 1:11 teaches that atonement is personal, precise, and performed in God’s presence. The worshiper slays the substitute on the north side, the priests mediate, and the blood thoroughly covers the altar. Each detail foreshadows Jesus’ perfect sacrifice, where He, our substitute and High Priest, shed His blood once for all, completely satisfying God’s righteous requirements and opening the way for us to draw near. |
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