What is the significance of the "two turtledoves or two young pigeons"? Setting the Scene Leviticus 12:8 lays out a gracious option for new mothers who could not afford a lamb: “But if she cannot afford a lamb, she may bring two turtledoves or two young pigeons, one for a burnt offering and the other for a sin offering; and the priest will make atonement for her, and she will be clean.” This simple phrase—“two turtledoves or two young pigeons”—appears repeatedly in the Law and carries layers of meaning. Where We Find These Birds in Scripture • Genesis 15:9 – God’s covenant ceremony with Abram includes “a turtledove and a young pigeon.” • Leviticus 1:14–17 – Birds permitted for burnt offerings. • Leviticus 5:7, 11 – Substitution for the guilt offering when someone is poor. • Leviticus 12:6–8 – Purification after childbirth. • Leviticus 14:21–22 – Cleansing of a leper who is poor. • Leviticus 15:14, 29 – Ritual purification after bodily discharges. • Luke 2:22–24 – Mary and Joseph offer “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons,” fulfilling the Law for Jesus’ dedication. Why Birds and Not a Lamb? • Affordability: A lamb was costly. God made provision so no one was barred from worship because of poverty (Leviticus 5:7). • Availability: Pigeons and turtledoves were common in Israel; anyone could catch or purchase them. • Inclusivity: From the richest to the poorest, every Israelite could bring an acceptable sacrifice and receive atonement. Two Birds, Two Offerings 1. One bird as the burnt offering (total surrender to God, Leviticus 1:14). 2. One bird as the sin or guilt offering (atonement for sin, Leviticus 5:7). Together they picture both wholehearted devotion and cleansing from sin—two inseparable facets of covenant life. Covenant Echoes from Abraham When God sealed His promise to Abram with animal pieces, He included “a turtledove and a young pigeon” (Genesis 15:9). The same humble birds later appear in the Law, reminding Israel that their daily worship was rooted in the grand covenant God had already established. The Costly Grace of a Low-Cost Sacrifice • God values faith, not price tags (1 Samuel 15:22; Hosea 6:6). • Blood was still shed; forgiveness still required life (Leviticus 17:11). • Grace meets people where they are, yet never diminishes the seriousness of sin. Foreshadowing Christ • Mary and Joseph’s offering (Luke 2:24) publicly identified Jesus with the poor—He who “though He was rich…became poor” (2 Corinthians 8:9). • The birds point forward to the ultimate once-for-all sacrifice. Hebrews 10:4–10 explains that the blood of animals could not permanently remove sin; it anticipated Christ’s perfect offering. Takeaways for Today • God removes financial barriers to approach Him; grace is accessible. • Humble offerings, when given in faith, delight God (Mark 12:41-44). • The repetition of “two turtledoves or two young pigeons” highlights His consistent character—from Abraham, through Moses, to the manger, all the way to the cross. |
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