What is the meaning of Leviticus 8:21? He washed the entrails and legs with water The first action Moses takes is to rinse the inner organs and legs of the ram. That may sound like mere hygiene, yet it carries rich symbolism. In a burnt offering nothing can be offered to God while still defiled, even parts hidden from human eyes. Exodus 29:17 repeats the same step: “You are to cut the ram into pieces, wash the entrails and legs, and place them with its pieces and its head.” • It highlights God’s insistence on inward as well as outward purity—Psalm 24:3-4 links “clean hands and a pure heart.” • The priests who present the sacrifice will soon lay hands on it, so the washing reinforces that they must themselves be clean (Hebrews 10:22). • For believers today the picture points to the cleansing Christ provides (Titus 3:5) before we can serve Him. and burned the entire ram on the altar as a burnt offering A burnt offering (Leviticus 1) is wholly consumed; nothing is retained for priest or worshiper. • It speaks of total consecration—everything given to God with no part held back. • Leviticus 1:13, “The priest shall then burn all of it on the altar. It is a burnt offering.” • The ram’s skin is the only portion later assigned to the priest (Leviticus 7:8), underscoring how complete the surrender is. • This foreshadows Christ’s self-giving on the cross, and Romans 12:1 invites us to respond: “present your bodies as living sacrifices.” a pleasing aroma Scripture repeatedly uses this phrase to note God’s acceptance—Genesis 8:21 records, “When the LORD smelled the pleasing aroma…” • The scent rising from the altar is a human way of expressing divine approval; God is Spirit, yet He chooses this image to assure worshipers their gift is received. • Ephesians 5:2 applies the language to Jesus: “Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God,” showing the ultimate fulfillment. a food offering to the LORD The burnt offering is classified as “food.” God, of course, needs no nourishment; the wording stresses that the altar is His table and the sacrifice belongs wholly to Him (Malachi 1:7). • Leviticus 3:11 calls the peace offering “food” too—various offerings together maintain God’s fellowship with His people. • Jesus alludes to this idea when He says, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me” (John 4:34), showing that obedience itself satisfies God. just as the LORD had commanded Moses The verse ends by underscoring strict obedience. True worship is never freelance; it follows God’s revealed pattern. • Exodus 40:16 notes, “Moses did everything just as the LORD had commanded him.” • 1 Samuel 15:22 reminds us, “To obey is better than sacrifice.” • Jesus echoes the principle: “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15). When Moses follows every detail, the people learn that God’s presence and blessing rest on submission to His word. summary Leviticus 8:21 pictures complete, clean, and obedient surrender to God. The entrails and legs are washed, showing that nothing unclean may approach Him. The whole ram is laid on the altar, illustrating total devotion. Its rising aroma signals divine acceptance, and the designation “food” reminds us the offering belongs entirely to the LORD. Finally, the climactic note—Moses does it exactly as commanded—teaches that acceptable worship flows from humble obedience. In Christ the meaning is magnified: He is the once-for-all perfect burnt offering, calling us to live wholly consecrated lives in glad conformity to God’s word. |
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