What is the meaning of Leviticus 22:29? When you sacrifice • God expects His people to draw near with tangible acts of worship, not mere words (Deuteronomy 12:11; Psalm 50:14). • The verb “sacrifice” assumes cost. Worship that costs nothing means little (2 Samuel 24:24). • In the new covenant, our whole lives become living sacrifices (Romans 12:1), yet the principle of deliberate, heartfelt offering remains unchanged. a thank offering • This is a subset of the peace offerings (Leviticus 7:12-15) expressing gratitude for God’s mercies. • Thanksgiving is never optional for believers (Psalm 107:22; Colossians 3:15). • The offering was shared with family and the needy, turning gratitude into joyful fellowship (Deuteronomy 12:7). to the LORD • Every sacrifice is directed exclusively to the covenant God, not to impress people (Exodus 20:3). • True thanksgiving centers on His character and acts (Psalm 100:5). • Our praise today still rises “through Jesus… to God” (Hebrews 13:15), keeping Him the focus. offer it • “Offer” highlights personal responsibility; no one worships on our behalf without our involvement (Leviticus 22:18-19). • God rejects careless or polluted sacrifices (Malachi 1:8). • Obedience outweighs ritual (1 Samuel 15:22), yet proper ritual performed obediently pleases Him (Mark 12:33). so that it may be acceptable • Acceptability required an unblemished animal (Leviticus 22:21) and a sincere heart (Psalm 24:3-4). • God’s standards have not relaxed; He still seeks offerings “pleasing to Him” (Romans 14:18). • Christ makes believers “acceptable to God” as a holy priesthood offering spiritual sacrifices (1 Peter 2:5). on your behalf • The sacrifice represented the worshiper; its acceptability secured the worshiper’s acceptance (Leviticus 17:11). • This principle anticipates substitutionary atonement: another bears our place before God (Isaiah 53:5-6). • Jesus fulfilled this perfectly, offering Himself “once for all” on our behalf (2 Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 10:10), turning every thankful heart toward Him. summary Leviticus 22:29 teaches that gratitude must be expressed through intentional, God-focused, obedient, and acceptable worship, presented personally yet vicariously represented by a flawless sacrifice. In Christ the pattern is fulfilled: our thanks are now offered through His once-for-all, perfect work, making both the worship and the worshiper pleasing to God. |
    |