Leviticus 4:2-35 Speak to the children of Israel, saying… I. THE SIN-OFFERING shadows forth the fulfilment of Psalm 85:10; mercy can be shown to sinners in the "free gift of... eternal life" (Romans 6:23, R.V.), because God's truth as to sin's "wages" was verified on Calvary. Righteousness, i.e., the righteous judgment of a holy God, was shown in the just punishment of "sin," borne by a sinless victim; and Peace becomes the portion of every soul taught by the Holy Spirit to know that Jesus was punished for him or her; that is, every one that believes in God's acceptance of Christ's substitutionary Sacrifice (Romans 4:25; Romans 5:1). II. THE BLOOD strikingly shows the double aspect of this mighty sacrifice. "The life... is in the blood" (Leviticus 17:11). Life was forfeited by fall (Genesis 2:17; Genesis 3:19; Romans 5:12); therefore life must be taken, blood must be shed (Ezekiel 18:4, 20; Hebrews 9:22), a substitutionary victim must be slain, before a holy God could pardon and accept the sinner. Jesus died, He shed His "precious blood," and through it we have "redemption" (Matthew 27:50; John 19:34; Romans 5:8.9; Ephesians 1:7). Observe what was done with the blood. 1. For anointed priest, or whole congregation, it was to be sprinkled "seven times before the Lord, before the veil" (Leviticus 4:6, 7, 17, 18), and put on "horns of altar of sweet incense"; seven betokening completeness, and horns power. We thus learn the completeness of restoration to worship and communion — interrupted by sin — through the power of Jesu's blood, shed on Calvary's Cross, and brought symbolically into the very presence of God for us: the ground, too, of His advocacy for us, as our "Great High Priest" (1 John 2:1, 2; Hebrews 4:14). Tim higher the position, privilege, light, the greater the sin. The anointed priest was in a very blessed position, admitted daily to minister in the Tabernacle; and the whole congregation were marked by Jehovah's favour. They were His "redeemed" or "purchased" people, called by Him, His "son," "a peculiar treasure," &c. (Exodus 15:13, 16; Exodus 4:22; Exodus 19:5); brought into covenant relationship with Jehovah, who Himself dwelt in their midst, guarding and guiding them night and day (Exodus 13:21, 22). And they were encamped around His habitation, as accepted worshippers, through the medium of the priesthood and offerings. Hence, when sin entered, blood alone could atone and restore. 2. For a ruler or one of the common people the priest must put blood on the horns of the altar of burnt-offering (chap. Leviticus 4:25, 30), telling of the power of the atoning blood to cleanse from all sin, and restore basis for worship, peace, &c. 3. All the blood was to be poured out at the bottom of the altar (vers. Leviticus 4:7, 18, 25, 30, 34). This was to be done in every case, as there atonement, or reconciliation, was made; there the Lord met with the children of Israel (Exodus 29:42, 43). The pouring out tells of the fulness of the atonement made by Jesus. He "poured out His soul unto death" (Isaiah 53:12; Psalm 22:14); made "reconciliation for iniquity" (Daniel 9:24); gave "His life a ransom," &c. (Matthew 20:28; 1 Timothy 2:6); and in Him — our "Altar" (Hebrews 13:10) — God and the sinner meet. III. FINE FLOUR It is thought that in chap. Leviticus 9., sin, as the root of all evil, the great principle of evil within, is specially dealt with, and when it shows itself in the committal of sin — though of ignorance — it must be judged by a holy God. In chap. 5. certain sinful actions are specified (vers. Leviticus 5:1-4), and dealt with in the same spirit (vers. Leviticus 5:5-13); but while again we see how a just and holy God must punish sin, we see also how a God of love meets the need of every sinner — even the poorest — by permitting fine flour to be offered, when the offender was "not able" to bring any of the animals named. IV. THE BURNING, again, shows the double aspect of the holy Sufferer, by the two words used. 1. The fat, and portions of the inwards (as in peace-offering) — representing the rich excellences, heart and affections reserved for God Himself — were to be burnt as incense, or "savour of delight," upon the altar of burnt-offerings (Leviticus 4:8-10, 19, 26, 35). Striking testimony to the intrinsic worth of the holy Jesus, even when presented to our gaze as "made sin!" 2. The whole bullock was to be burnt — in judgment — "without the camp" (Leviticus 4:11, 12). The animal was — typically — loaded with man's sin. It represented man in his corrupt state, outwardly and inwardly evil (Romans 3:12; Romans 7:18): head guiding, legs walking, in evil ways, engendered within (James 1:15); therefore too loathsome to remain in sight of holy God, or be consumed with fire on His altar or table. The sin-offering must be cast forth — so to speak — from His presence. Thus "sin" was "laid upon" the sinless Son of God; the holy Jesus was separated from God, when, "in the likeness of sinful flesh," He "suffered without the gate" (Romans 8:3; Hebrews 13:11, 12). The gate of the very city chosen of God to put His Name there. Yes — outside its walls, the holy Son of God was crucified in a place set apart for the execution of malefactors (John 19:16-18). 3. "In a clean place" the bullock was to be burnt, "where the ashes" of burnt-offering were poured out (Leviticus 4:12). Ashes told of "redemption" accomplished, and the pouring out of those of burnt-offering, of acceptance of "finished" work. The "body" of Jesus was laid in a "new tomb" (Matthew 27:60), "with the rich in His death" (Isaiah 53:10); token of work "finished," complete reconciliation made, "eternal redemption" obtained (Hebrews 9:12). V. "OUTSIDE THE CAMP" — "the gate," full of deep teaching, can here but point to subjects for meditation and study, sufficient for whole lesson. 1. Christ forsaken of God, "made a curse for us" (Psalm 22:1; Matthew 27:46; Galatians 3:13), showing both desert of sinner and fate of those who die unrepentant and unpardoned, and must therefore bear the curse due to — God's judgment upon — their own sin. 2. Christ rejected by His own — by the world (John 1:11; Luke 23:1. 18, 24; 19:14); bearing reproach, scorn (Psalm 42:10; Psalm 69:9, 20; Romans 15:3; Matthew 27:43), buffeted, scourged, crucified (Matthew 26:67; Matthew 27:26, 30-35). 3. All who are Christ's are called to be "separate from the world," "bearing His reproach" (2 Corinthians 12:10; Hebrews 13:13), for "the servant is not greater than his Lord" (John 13:16; John 15:20); hated by, crucified to world, "with Christ" (John 17:14; Galatians 6:14; Galatians 2:20). 4. Christ, the "Saviour of the world" (John 4:42; 1 John 4:14). Place of Gentiles was outside the camp, so may here see how Christ died — "not for that nation only," &c. (John 11:51, 52). (Lady Beaujolois Dent) Parallel Verses KJV: Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If a soul shall sin through ignorance against any of the commandments of the LORD concerning things which ought not to be done, and shall do against any of them: |
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