What is the meaning of Leviticus 7:1? Now this - The phrase signals a deliberate pause, directing the reader’s attention to a fresh but related section in the flow of revelation (compare Leviticus 6:24–25, where the LORD likewise introduces new instruction). - It reminds us that every detail of sacrificial worship came from God, not human invention (Exodus 25:40; Deuteronomy 4:2). - The immediacy—“Now”—tethers the command to the present moment of Israel’s worship journey, underscoring God’s ongoing, personal involvement (Exodus 19:5-6). is the law - “Law” refers here to a specific, divinely mandated procedure, much like the earlier “law of the burnt offering” and “law of the sin offering” (Leviticus 6:8-9; 6:25). - By calling it “law,” God stresses permanence and authority, foreshadowing the unchangeable character of His later covenant fulfilled in Christ (Psalm 19:7; Matthew 5:18). - Obedience to this law protected the people from presumption and preserved the sanctuary’s purity (Numbers 28:2; Malachi 1:11). of the guilt offering, - The guilt (or trespass) offering addressed specific acts that violated God’s holiness or defrauded neighbor, demanding both sacrifice and restitution (Leviticus 5:14-16; 6:1-7). - It spotlighted tangible consequences of sin—loss, debt, and the need to make things right—anticipating Christ, who paid our debt “once for all” (Isaiah 53:10; Hebrews 9:14). - Key features • An unblemished ram (Leviticus 5:15) • Restitution plus twenty percent (Leviticus 5:16) • Blood applied on the altar like the sin offering (Leviticus 7:5-7) - By requiring restitution, God displayed both justice and mercy, blending forgiveness with real-world accountability (Luke 19:8-10; Ephesians 4:32). which is most holy: - “Most holy” (literally “holy of holies”) places this offering in the highest category of sacred things, alongside the sin offering and the showbread (Leviticus 2:3; 6:17). - Only the priests could eat its meat, and only in the sanctuary, guarding the offering from common use (Leviticus 7:6; 10:12-13). - This classification elevates the seriousness of sin it addresses and foreshadows the flawless holiness of Christ, our once-for-all guilt offering (Hebrews 10:10; 1 Peter 2:24). - It also affirms God’s desire for His people to share in His holiness, not merely escape penalty (Leviticus 11:44; 1 Thessalonians 4:7). summary Leviticus 7:1 marks out the guilt offering as a divinely authored, authoritative ritual designed to deal with concrete offenses against God and neighbor. Its “most holy” status highlights the gravity of sin and the preciousness of atonement. Every element points forward to Christ, who perfectly fulfills the law, makes full restitution for our guilt, and invites us into God’s own holiness. |
    |