Law – Leviticus 1-3

We now move onto the 3rd book of the Bible – Leviticus.

Most of the things recorded in this book involves the Levites and hence the name of the book. The whole book records events that happened within a month of so and it was written roughly 5 months after the Israelites had left Mount Sinai (Leviticus 16:34).

You will find a recurring theme throughout Leviticus…

…. ‘You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy.

Leviticus 19:2

To be honest, sometimes the passages of Leviticus may seem rather dry and one would find it hard to see how the vivid descriptions of offerings, sacrifices and other instructions relates to our present lives.  But if we keep the main theme in our mind as we read Leviticus, perhaps we can discover some exciting stories and lessons.

Bible Passage:  Leviticus 1-3

There are 3 different types of offerings mentioned in today’s reading.

• Burnt Offering:  Leviticus Chapter 1
  • Purpose:  For atonement of sins (Lev 1:4; Lev 16:24) and as a fragrant offering (Lev 1:9)

• Cereal Offring:  Leviticus Chapter 2
• Peace Offering: Leviticus Chapter 3
  • Purpose:  For thanksgiving (Lev 7:11-12), to repay vows (Lev 7:16) and as freewill offering (Lev 7:16)

Some of our Preachers have expounded on the spiritual meaning of the various sacrifices and offerings.  There is spiritual significance to the different kinds of animals used, the way the sacrifices were done etc.  But I would not dwell on this as I am still learning what they all mean.

However, there are a few lessons which I think we can all think about as we read today’s chapters.

Price of A Sacrifice

The concept of ‘Sin’ may be clear to many but whether we take it seriously is another matter.

It is sad and frightening to know that many Christians treat sin lightly.  They supposed that all it takes to do away with sin is a few mumbled prayers for forgiveness.  They reckoned that as long as they confess their sins, God who is loving and compassionate will surely forgive them.

We must know that for every sin that is forgiven, a price must be paid for the wages of sin to be cancelled.  And when we know and understand the price that has to be paid for our sins, we will definitely treat sin as something very serious.

When I was reading today’s passage, I started imagining how it was like for the people in those days to make their sacrifices.  Just read Leviticus 1:3-5 for an example.

³ ‘If his offering is a burnt sacrifice of the herd, let him offer a male without blemish; he shall offer it of his own free will at the door of the tabernacle of meeting before the LORD. ⁴ Then he shall put his hand on the head of the burnt offering, and it will be accepted on his behalf to make atonement for him. ⁵ He shall kill the bull before the LORD; and the priests, Aaron’s sons, shall bring the blood and sprinkle the blood all around on the altar that is by the door of the tabernacle of meeting.

The Israelites took sin far more seriously.  Just consider the price of sacrifice when they had to carry out the instructions given for burnt offering sacrifices:

• The Psychological Price: Imagine you were one of the Israelites at the time of Moses.  You had to do the killing of your animal sacrifice.  As you place your hand on the animal’s head and slit its throat, you can hear the cries of the animal and maybe even look at its pleading eyes as its life drain away.  And while all this is happening – you know that the animal was dying in your place as a sin offering.

• The Financial Price: It is quite obvious that in order to offer the best for your burnt offering, you would need to pay a price financially.  It may be the best of your bulls.  Or if you cannot afford it, maybe a sheep, goat, turtledoves or pigeons.  But whatever it is – it reminds us that there is a financial burden – a tangible reminder of the penalty of sin.

• The Social Price: You are not alone as you slaughter your animal for the burnt offering.  All around you the same scene is being repeated as others also see the need to make this offering in the same manner.  As you hear the death cries of the animals around – you cannot but help realize that besides you, all those around you – your relatives, your neighbours, your family, even your fellow church members – all need God’s forgiveness.

• The Spiritual Price: Overall, the sacrificial system reminds me that sin stands between me and God and that the penalty of sin is death.  But I am also reminded of God’s mercy.  In the past, animals took our place.  But now – Jesus Himself has become my sacrificial lamb.  And because of Him, I do not have to be condemned.

As you read the rest of the passage, you will find that not only do they have to kill the animals… they have to chop them up, wash their entrails etc.

A lot of work was involved.  A lot of pain as well.  Blood all around and lots of struggle.

It makes me think that perhaps why we take sin so lightly today is because we do not think about the great lengths and suffering Jesus went in our place.  If we have to perform these regular animal sacrifices in order to ask God for the forgiveness of our sins, perhaps we will think twice before we easily commit a sin the next time.

It all seems so easy.

“God… I’m sorry!  Please forgive me!”

“Father, I have sinned.  Please take away my iniquity”

We just make our prayers and confident that God is faithful, we expect our sins to be forgiven.  And because it is just so easy, we do not think about the price that Jesus has to pay to remove our sins.

And we easily slip back into sin again.

God takes our sin seriously – so much that He sent His only Son Jesus to die for us. 

So we should take sin seriously.

We Are An Offering

It is hard not to read these passages and not think about Paul’s reminder to us…

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.

Romans 12:1

The best was offered to the Lord.

Every part of the sacrificial animal was used.

No blemished offering was allowed.

What do we offer to God today?

Most of the time we equate sacrifice or offering as putting money into the Offering Box or envelopes.

And it is very easy to do.  It does cost us something – financially.  But that is not what God wants from us only.  He wants our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God.

He wants our all.

So the next time you think of making an offering – consider how you can offer something other than your money.  Give more of yourself to the Lord for this is our reasonable service.

We used to sing this a long time ago.  But increasingly, I find it hard to sing it because I realize how far I am from what the song says.

May we be able to sing this song with all our hearts, mind and spirit.  And offer ourselves as a sacrifice and offering to the Lord.

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