What is the meaning of Leviticus 4:20? He shall offer this bull The verse opens by pointing to a specific sacrifice—“this bull.” In Leviticus, a bull represents the costliest animal a common Israelite could bring, underscoring both the seriousness of sin and God’s provision for cleansing (see Leviticus 1:3; 8:14; Numbers 15:24). • The offerer hands the animal to the priest, illustrating that forgiveness comes through an intercessor, not personal merit (Hebrews 5:1). • Bringing “this bull” acknowledges a particular offense, teaching us that God invites honest confession (Psalm 32:5). just as he did the bull for the sin offering The procedure isn’t new; it mirrors the earlier sin-offering instructions (Leviticus 4:4-12). Consistency matters: • God’s remedy for sin is never arbitrary—He provides a clear, repeatable pattern (Malachi 3:6). • Repetition highlights that one standard covers every sinner, whether leader or layperson (Leviticus 4:22-27; Romans 3:22-23). • The phrase “just as” foreshadows Christ’s once-for-all sacrifice that perfectly fulfills every prior pattern (Hebrews 10:11-14). in this way the priest will make atonement on their behalf Atonement means a substitutionary covering. The priest acts as mediator, standing between the guilty people and a holy God (Leviticus 16:15-17). • Blood is central: “the life of the flesh is in the blood…to make atonement” (Leviticus 17:11). • The priest’s work points ahead to Jesus, our great High Priest, who “entered the Most Holy Place once for all…having obtained eternal redemption” (Hebrews 9:12). • “On their behalf” shows corporate grace; the whole community may receive cleansing through a single representative (Isaiah 53:6; 2 Corinthians 5:21). and they will be forgiven The result isn’t partial relief but full pardon. • Forgiveness in the Old Testament is real, not merely symbolic (Psalm 103:12; Micah 7:18-19). • The sacrificial blood covered sin temporarily, pointing forward to Christ’s blood that removes sin permanently (John 1:29; Ephesians 1:7). • Assurance of forgiveness builds a relationship marked by gratitude rather than perpetual guilt (Psalm 32:1-2; 1 John 1:9). summary Leviticus 4:20 teaches that God provides a costly, specific sacrifice; He applies an unchanging standard; He assigns a mediator to make atonement; and He grants complete forgiveness. Each element anticipates the perfect work of Jesus, assuring believers today that sin confessed and covered by His blood is fully pardoned. |
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