Leviticus 1:9
The entrails and legs must be washed with water, and the priest shall burn all of it on the altar as a burnt offering, an offering made by fire, a pleasing aroma to the LORD.
The entrails and legs must be washed with water,

Washing removed dirt and uncleanness from the parts most exposed to impurity, demonstrating that what was presented to the Lord must be clean. The offering represented the worshiper before God, who requires holiness not only in outward conduct but also in the hidden life. The cleansing anticipates the purified conscience granted through the blood of Christ, by which believers draw near to God with hearts cleansed from evil.

Exo 29:17 Cut the ram into pieces, wash the entrails and legs,…
Lev 8:21 He washed the entrails and legs with water…

and the priest shall burn all of it on the altar

The priest placed the prepared animal upon the altar and offered it wholly to the Lord. Apart from the hide, which belonged to the priest, no portion was retained for the worshiper. The priest’s mediating service points forward to Jesus Christ, the great High Priest, who brought the perfect sacrifice of Himself before the Father.

Exo 29:18 Then burn the entire ram on the altar; it is a burnt offering…
Lev 6:12-13 The fire on the altar shall be kept burning;…
Deu 33:10 He will teach Your ordinances to Jacob and Your law…

as a burnt offering,

The burnt offering was completely consumed, portraying full consecration and the worshiper’s need for atonement. Its ascending smoke symbolized the offering’s presentation to God. Jesus fulfilled what the burnt offering foreshadowed by giving Himself entirely in obedient sacrifice, accomplishing reconciliation for all who trust in Him.

Gen 22:2 “Take your son,” God said, “your only son Isaac”…
Gen 8:20 Then Noah built an altar to the LORD…
Deu 12:6 To that place you are to bring your burnt offerings…

a food offering,

The sacrifice was a gift presented to the Lord and consumed by the altar fire. God does not need food, but He graciously received the offering as an appointed act of worship, acknowledging the faith and obedience of the one who approached Him according to His command.

Num 28:2 Command the Israelites and say to them: See that…
Lev 2:1-2 “When anyone brings a grain offering to the LORD,…
Lev 6:14-15 Now this is the law of the grain offering:…

a pleasing aroma to the LORD.

God accepted the sacrifice when it was offered in faith and obedience. The acceptance of the burnt offering ultimately directs attention to Christ, whose obedient death was a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. Through Him, worshipers may offer their lives to God in grateful devotion.

Num 15:3 and you present a food offering to the LORD from the herd…
Num 28:6 This is a regular burnt offering established at Mount Sinai…
Gen 8:21 When the LORD smelled the pleasing aroma,…

Persons / Places / Events
1. Priest
The individual responsible for performing the sacrificial rituals, acting as a mediator between God and the people.

2. Altar
The sacred place where offerings are made to God, symbolizing His presence and the place of atonement.

3. Burnt Offering
A type of sacrifice in which the entire animal is consumed by fire, symbolizing complete surrender and dedication to God.

4. Entrails and Legs
Parts of the sacrificial animal that are specifically mentioned to be washed, indicating the importance of purity and preparation.

5. Pleasing Aroma
A metaphorical expression indicating that the offering is acceptable and pleasing to God.
Teaching Points
Complete Dedication to God
The burnt offering symbolizes total surrender to God. Believers are called to dedicate every aspect of their lives to Him.

Purity and Preparation
The washing of the entrails and legs signifies the need for purity. Christians should strive for holiness in their walk with God.

Role of the Priest
The priest's role in the offering process points to Jesus as our High Priest, who mediates on our behalf.

Pleasing Aroma
Our lives, like the burnt offering, should be a pleasing aroma to God, characterized by obedience and faithfulness.

Symbolism of Fire
Fire represents purification and the presence of God. Believers are refined through trials and the Holy Spirit's work in their lives.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the concept of a burnt offering in Leviticus 1:9 relate to the idea of living sacrifices in Romans 12:1?

2. What does the washing of the entrails and legs teach us about the importance of purity in our spiritual lives?

3. In what ways can we ensure that our lives are a "pleasing aroma" to God, as described in Leviticus 1:9?

4. How does the role of the priest in Leviticus 1:9 foreshadow the work of Jesus as our High Priest?

5. Reflect on a time when you experienced God's refining fire in your life. How did it lead to greater dedication and purity?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Genesis 8:20-21
Noah's burnt offering after the flood, which was also described as a pleasing aroma to the Lord, showing the continuity of sacrificial worship.

Exodus 29:18
The consecration of Aaron and his sons, where burnt offerings are described as a pleasing aroma, highlighting the role of priests.

Romans 12:1
Paul urges believers to offer their bodies as living sacrifices, drawing a parallel to the complete dedication symbolized by the burnt offering.

Hebrews 10:1-10
Discusses the limitations of Old Testament sacrifices and the ultimate fulfillment in Christ, who offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice.
Our Reasonable ServiceS.R. Aldridge Leviticus 1:9
The Greatness of GodS.R. Aldridge Leviticus 1:1-9
The Weakness of Man and the Grace of GodS.R. Aldridge Leviticus 1:1-14
Entire Consecration, as Illustrated in the Burnt OfferingR.M. Edgar Leviticus 1:1-17
Law of the Burnt OfferingsR.A. Redford Leviticus 1:1-17
Principles of Spiritual SacrificeW. Clarkson Leviticus 1:2-17
The True End of Sacrifice, - Entire Consecration to GodW. Clarkson Leviticus 1:2-17
The Burnt Sacrifice of the HerdJ.A. Macdonald Leviticus 1:3-9
The Killing, Flaying, and Consuming of the VictimR.A. Redford Leviticus 1:5-9
A Devoted LifeW. Y. Fullerton, "Sword and Trowel."Leviticus 1:6-13
Genuine ConsecrationLeviticus 1:6-13
Results of Total Self SurrenderJoseph Cook.Leviticus 1:6-13
The Best OfferingG. S. Reaney.Leviticus 1:6-13
The Sacrificial BurningS. H. Kellogg, D. D.Leviticus 1:6-13
People
Aaron, Israelites, Moses
Places
Teman
Topics
Altar, Aroma, Burn, Burned, Burnt, Burnt-offering, Burnt-sacrifice, Entrails, Fire, Fire-offering, Fragrance, However, Innards, Inner, Inside, Inwards, Legs, Odor, Odour, Offer, Offering, Perfume, Pleasant, Pleasing, Priest, Sacrifice, Savor, Savour, Smell, Smoke, Soothing, Sweet, Wash, Washed
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Leviticus 1:9

     1210   God, human descriptions
     5163   legs
     5183   smell
     8460   pleasing God

Leviticus 1:1-9

     1680   types

Leviticus 1:1-17

     7316   blood, OT sacrifices

Leviticus 1:3-9

     4293   water
     4615   bull

Leviticus 1:3-13

     7422   ritual

Leviticus 1:3-17

     4552   wood

Library
The Burnt Offering a Picture and a Prophecy
'And the Lord called unto Moses, and spake unto him out of the tabernacle of the congregation, saying, 2. Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, If any man of you bring an offering unto the Lord, ye shall bring your offering of the cattle, even of the herd, and of the flock. 3. If his offering be a burnt-sacrifice of the herd, let him offer a male without blemish: he shall offer it of his own voluntary will, at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation before the Lord. 4. And
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Collection for St Paul: the Farewell
PHILIPPIANS iv. 10-23 The Philippian alms--His sense of their faithful love--He has received in full--A passage in the Scriptural manner--The letter closes--"Christ is preached"--"Together with them" The work of dictation is nearly done in the Roman lodging. The manuscript will soon be complete, and then soon rolled up and sealed, ready for Epaphroditus; he will place it with reverence and care in his baggage, and see it safe to Philippi. But one topic has to be handled yet before the end. "Now
Handley C. G. Moule—Philippian Studies

The Child-Life in Nazareth
THE stay of the Holy Family in Egypt must have been of brief duration. The cup of Herod's misdeeds, but also of his misery, was full. During the whole latter part of his life, the dread of a rival to the throne had haunted him, and he had sacrificed thousands, among them those nearest and dearest to him, to lay that ghost. [1084] And still the tyrant was not at rest. A more terrible scene is not presented in history than that of the closing days of Herod. Tormented by nameless fears; ever and again
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

Influences that Gave Rise to the Priestly Laws and Histories
[Sidenote: Influences in the exile that produced written ceremonial laws] The Babylonian exile gave a great opportunity and incentive to the further development of written law. While the temple stood, the ceremonial rites and customs received constant illustration, and were transmitted directly from father to son in the priestly families. Hence, there was little need of writing them down. But when most of the priests were carried captive to Babylonia, as in 597 B.C., and ten years later the temple
Charles Foster Kent—The Origin & Permanent Value of the Old Testament

Leviticus
The emphasis which modern criticism has very properly laid on the prophetic books and the prophetic element generally in the Old Testament, has had the effect of somewhat diverting popular attention from the priestly contributions to the literature and religion of Israel. From this neglect Leviticus has suffered most. Yet for many reasons it is worthy of close attention; it is the deliberate expression of the priestly mind of Israel at its best, and it thus forms a welcome foil to the unattractive
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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