What is the meaning of Leviticus 5:18? He is to bring to the priest Leviticus 5:18 opens with action: “He is to bring to the priest….” • The sinner does not wait for the priest to come find him; he personally brings the offering, acknowledging responsibility (compare Leviticus 4:27-28). • Coming “to the priest” reminds us that God appoints a mediator. In Israel that was the Levitical priesthood; today it is Christ, our great High Priest (Hebrews 4:14-16). • Approaching God on His terms reflects the heart of true repentance (Psalm 51:17). An unblemished ram of proper value from the flock “…an unblemished ram of proper value from the flock…” • “Unblemished” points to moral perfection (Leviticus 1:3). Nothing defective may approach a holy God (Malachi 1:8). • “Proper value” means the sacrifice costs something real. David later said, “I will not offer to the LORD my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing” (2 Samuel 24:24). • The ram foreshadows “Christ, a lamb without blemish or spot” (1 Peter 1:19). He alone meets God’s standard and pays our debt in full. As a guilt offering “…as a guilt offering.” • Distinct from the burnt or peace offerings, the guilt (or trespass) offering deals with liability—sin incurs debt (Leviticus 5:14-16). • The concept embraces both payment and restitution; wrongdoing creates a deficit only God-approved sacrifice can cover. • Isaiah 53:10 calls Messiah “an offering for guilt,” fulfilled when Jesus bore our trespasses on the cross (Colossians 2:13-14). Then the priest will make atonement on his behalf “Then the priest will make atonement on his behalf…” • Atonement means covering; the innocent dies so the guilty may live (Leviticus 17:11). • Notice the roles: the worshiper brings, the priest slaughters and applies the blood. Salvation is by grace but never bypasses blood and mediation (Hebrews 9:22). • Today Christ “always lives to intercede” for us (Hebrews 7:25). The pattern in Leviticus finds its perfect fulfillment in Him. For the wrong he has committed in ignorance “…for the wrong he has committed in ignorance…” • Ignorance does not cancel guilt. Unintentional sin still violates God’s holiness (Numbers 15:22-29). • David prayed, “Who can discern his errors? Forgive my hidden faults” (Psalm 19:12). • Even those who crucified Jesus did so “in ignorance,” yet needed forgiveness (Luke 23:34; 1 Timothy 1:13). God graciously provides a remedy for sins we didn’t even realize we committed. And he will be forgiven “…and he will be forgiven.” • The promise is immediate and certain. Forgiveness rests not on feelings but on God’s declared acceptance of the sacrifice (Leviticus 4:31). • In Christ we hear the same assurance: “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins” (Ephesians 1:7). • 1 John 1:9 reinforces the principle: confess, trust the sacrifice, receive cleansing—because God said so. summary Leviticus 5:18 reveals a gracious God who provides a clear path from guilt to forgiveness. The sinner comes, brings a costly, flawless substitute, the priest mediates, atonement is made, and forgiveness is granted. Each detail—personal responsibility, a spotless sacrifice, priestly intercession, and assured pardon—points forward to Jesus Christ, the perfect Lamb and eternal High Priest, who fulfills the pattern once for all. |
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