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Pastor Scott L. Harris
Grace Bible Church, NY
October 21, 2007
The Sacrificial System
Leviticus 1-17
Introduction
This morning we are going to examine Leviticus 1-17 with an emphasis upon its explanation of the sacrificial system. The book of Exodus concludes with the construction of the Tabernacle (Exodus 35-36) and all the articles that were to be used in it (Exodus 37-38) including the garments for the priests (Exodus 39). (See: Living in God’s Presence) Moses and Aaron had prepared themselves according to the Lord’s directions and then erected the Tabernacle for the first time on the first day of the first month of the second year after they had left Egypt. Leviticus gives the instructions for how the worship of God was to take place in the Tabernacle.
One of the lessons the sons of Israel had already learned the hard way on the slopes of Mount Sinai was the importance of keeping His commandments and worshiping God according to His directions. Their false worship of the golden calf in Exodus 32 resulted in about 3,000 people being executed. Though that sounds like a lot, it was actually merciful for the whole camp was guilty and could have been justly subjected to the same punishment. God had been extremely patient with their previous stubbornness and disobedience as they were traveling through the wilderness to Mount Sinai, but His judgement fell upon them when they were openly worshiping a false god which they had made. (See: Consequences of False Worship)
Having the presence of God among them demanded that they meet His conditions otherwise they would end up being destroyed. Because God is holy they must also be holy (Leviticus 11:45). 1 Peter 1:15-16 makes the same demand of Christians. The sacrificial system was the means by which atonement was made for their sins and by which they could enter into the presence of God. The Lord had redeemed them from Egypt to serve Him and Leviticus contains many of the details of how that was to be accomplished and to live in practical holiness.
Leviticus is a book that is still important to us that live in the New Testament age of Grace for several reasons including the following: First, The whole book magnifies the holiness of God and the importance of how carefully we should approach Him – an issue that is still important for us today. Second, while the ceremonial laws do not apply to Christians, the various moral laws included in Leviticus explain much about what God declared to be good or evil and the are the basis for many of our own specific moral codes. Third, the various ceremonial laws help us understand a lot of the New Testament. Fourth, and most importantly, the laws concerning sacrifices and atonement explain to us the necessity for Jesus death as a sacrifice for our sins on our behalf.
The Sacrificial System
Leviticus 1-17 present the conditions of sacrifice. Chapters 1-7 cover the various specific sacrificial offerings while chapters 8-10 give the laws concerning the priests and their preparation for ministry. Chapters 11-15 cover various laws of purity which would determine if a person was ceremonial clean or not and what they could do to become clean. Finally, chapters 16 & 17 explain the Day of Atonement at which time a sacrifice would be made for the nation’s sin.
It is important to understand from the very beginning that the reason for the various sacrifices was to either bring the person into a proper relationship with God by means of an atonement for sin or to celebrate that relationship. There are five specific sacrifices of which two were specifically for dealing with sin, two for celebrating the relationship with God and one which did both.
What then are these sacrifices? What was their purpose? What did each require?
Burnt Offerings – Leviticus 1 & 6:8-13
The burnt offering was voluntary and had a dual purpose. It was to atone for general sin and it was to demonstrate complete dedication to God. Noah is the first one recorded offering such sacrifices. He did this after he departed from the ark following the flood (Genesis 8:20). (See: God’s Judgement & Grace) This is the type of sacrifice Abraham was to make of Isaac and which was then made with the substitute ram at God’s command (Genesis 22:2, 13). It will be found throughout the rest of the Old Testament at significant events such as Gideon dedicating himself to be one of God’s judges of Israel (Judges 6), at the return of the Ark of the Covenant from Philistines (1 Samuel 6:15) and bringing it to Jerusalem (2 Samuel 6). King David offered them in staying the plague that was caused by his sin (2 Samuel 24). King Solomon offered a thousand burnt offerings at the dedication of the Temple (1 Kings 3) and continued to offer them three times a year after that (1 Kings 9:25). Jeshua offered them at the return of Israel to Jerusalem following the Babylonian captivity (Ezra 3) and Ezra did the same when he returned with the second group of exiles (Ezra 8).
The particular animal sacrificed varied dependent upon the wealth of the one offering it. It could be a bull without blemish, a male sheep or goat without blemish, or a turtledove or young pigeon. The animal would be slain at the side of the altar with its blood then being sprinkled on the altar. It would then be skinned and cut into pieces that were arranged on the altar and then all of it would be burned up except the skin which would become the property of the priest.
Grain Offerings – Leviticus 2 & 6:14-23
This offering is also referred to as a meal offering or a tribute offering. This was usually voluntary but was also required in certain cases. This offering of a gift by which God’s favor was sought and gratitude expressed for it. It usually accompanied the other types of offerings and especially burnt and peace offerings.
There were three types of grain offerings. The first was made of fine flour mixed with oil and with frankincense. A handful of it was burned on the altar along with all of the frankincense. The remainder belonged to the priest. The second was of unleavened cakes or wafers mixed with oil. It could be baked or cooked over a griddle or in a pan. A portion of it would be burned on the altar with the remainder given to the priest which he could only eat in the court of the Tabernacle. The third type was of early ripened grain heads. A portion of it would then be mixed with oil and incense and burned on the altar. The remaining amount would belong to the priest. If it was a priest’s grain offering, then all of it had to be burned up on the altar. Each type of grain offering was to be seasoned with salt.
Peace Offerings – Leviticus 3; 7:11-36 & 22:18-30
There were three types of peace offerings. All of them were voluntary and signified the peace that existed between God and the worshiper. This is the only sacrifice in which the one making the offering also shared in a portion of it as part of their fellowship with God. First, it could be given as a thanksgiving offering because of and unexpected blessing or deliverance. An example of this was when David brought the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem (2 Samuel 6:17). Second, it could be a votive offering to express gratitude for a blessing or deliverance related to a vow such was part of the Nazirite rituals (Numbers 6). Third, it could be made in general thanksgiving without regard to any particular blessing or deliverance such as Solomon’s regular sacrifices (1 Kings 9:25).
The particular animal that was to be sacrificed would vary according to the wealth of the worshiper. It could be a male or female from the herd, from the flock or from the goats. These did not have to be unblemished as in the other offerings (Leviticus 22:23). After the animal was killed at the doorway of the tent of meeting the blood was to be sprinkled around the altar. Only a portion of the animal was then burned on the altar including all the fat on and around the entrails, the two kidneys with their fat and the fat which is on the loins, and the lobe of the liver. If it was a lamb then also fat tail.
The priests were to take the breast and the right thigh and wave them before the Lord and then they could keep them. The rest of the animal was given back to the offerer who could then eat them with his family, but none of the fat or the blood was to be eaten, for those belonged to the Lord. If it was a thank offering then it had to be eaten that day. If it was either a votive or a free will offering then it could also be eaten the following day.
Sin Offerings – Leviticus 4:1-5:13; 6:24-30
The sin offering was required as an atonement for sins committed unknowingly or unintentionally. (Numbers 15:30-31 explains that the one that sins defiantly would be cut off from the people and remain in his guilt. A sin offering would not be accepted in such circumstances and was in fact one of the reasons for God’s judgement of the nations of Israel and Judah later on (Isaiah 1:11f; Jeremiah 6:20f). God called such offerings worthless and abominations).
The particular sacrifice required would vary depending on the person’s position and the wealth of the individual. An unblemished bull was required of a priest or if made on behalf of the entire congregation. A ruler had to sacrifice an unblemished male goat. A commoner was to bring either an unblemished female goat or a lamb. A poor commoner could bring two turtledoves or two young pigeons. If the person was extremely poor they could bring a tenth of an ephah (about 3 pints) of fine flour without oil or incense.
Each type of animal was to be slain at the doorway of the tent of meeting. The priest would take a portion of the blood into the tent of meeting and dip his finger in it and sprinkle some of it seven times before the Lord, in front of the veil of the sanctuary. Some of the blood was then to be placed on the horns of the altar of fragrant incense and the rest poured out at the base of the altar of burnt offerings. The fat portions of the animal including the fat around the entrails, the two kidneys with their fat, the fat of the loins and the lobe of the liver were to be burned on the altar as with the peace offerings. If the sin offering was a bull for either a priest or on behalf of the whole congregation, then the remainder of the animal was to be taken to a clean place outside the camp and burned up. If it was for a ruler or commoner, then the priest could eat of it in a holy place within the court of the tent of meeting. If the offering was of fine flour, then the priest would burn up a handful of it on the altar and the remainder would become his just as in the grain offering.
Guilt Offerings – Leviticus 5:14-6:7 & 7:1-7
This offering differs from the sin offering in that there could be restitution required as well. If it was an offense against the Lord, then the sacrifice was to be an unblemished ram as a sin offering and the priest would estimate the monetary value and add 20% as the restitution amount which would then be given to the priest. If the offense was against a person then the only difference is that the restitution amount would be given to the person that had suffered the loss. It could have been due to deceit, fraud, robbery, extortion or any other act of unfaithfulness.
Laws of the Priests (Leviticus 8-10)
With the explanation of the sacrifices that were to be made, the priest then had to prepare themselves for this ministry. Leviticus 8 records the careful preparation Aaron and his sons made in carrying out the required washings, making the required sacrifices and being anointed with oil. Leviticus 9 records the first sacrifices Aaron made after being consecrated. There was a sin offering, a burnt offering, a grain offering and a peace offering. After all the various offerings were on the altar, Moses and Aaron came out the tent of meeting to bless the people and the glory of the Lord then appeared to all of them. “Then fire came out from before the Lord and consumed the burnt offering and the portions of fat on the altar; and when all the people saw [it], they shouted and fell on their faces” (Leviticus 9:24).
To this point everything was going very well, but they were about to learn another important lesson of carefully following the Lord’s commands in coming before Him to worship. Look at Leviticus 10:1-3. “Now Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took their respective firepans, and after putting fire in them, placed incense on it and offered strange fire before the Lord, which He had not commanded them. 2 And fire came out from the presence of the Lord and consumed them, and they died before the Lord. 3 Then Moses said to Aaron, “It is what the Lord spoke, saying, ‘By those who come near Me I will be treated as holy, And before all the people I will be honored.'” So Aaron, therefore, kept silent.”
Their sin was not treating the Lord as holy demonstrated by their disobedience to His instructions concerning the incense. Moses then instructed Aaron’s nephews to remove the remains of Nadab and Abihu to the outside of the camp. He also told Aaron and his remaining two sons, Eleazer and Ithamar to remain in the tent of meeting and show no signs of mourning since they were serving the Lord with His anointing oil upon them. The rest of the congregation would mourn for Nadab and Abihu.
The Lord then further instructed Aaron saying 9 “Do not drink wine or strong drink, neither you nor your sons with you, when you come into the tent of meeting, so that you may not die– it is a perpetual statute throughout your generations– 10 and so as to make a distinction between the holy and the profane, and between the unclean and the clean, 11 and so as to teach the sons of Israel all the statutes which the Lord has spoken to them through Moses” (Leviticus 10:9-11). They had the responsibility of teaching the congregation about holiness and they had to be that way themselves in order to fulfill it. They were not to risk inebriation while serving the Lord or they could die like Nadab and Abihu. In the near context of this warning, it is possible that being drunk is what led them to be profane in offering strange incense. They disobeyed the Lord’s commandments and so did not treat Him as holy and so incurred His wrath and judgement.
Aaron and his sons then completed the rest of the ministry in the Tabernacle that day. You can be sure that not only they, but the rest of the congregation was very sober minded and careful to follow the Lord’s instructions.
Laws of Purity (Leviticus 11-15)
Now that the sacrificial system was implemented the Lord gave Moses and Aaron instructions for the congregation so that they could make a distinction between the clean and the profane in matters of daily life. It is important to note here that these are all laws of ceremonial purity that were to separate and make the people of Israel distinct from all other peoples. While there may or may not be health benefits related to them, the real purpose was calling Israel to Himself and making them holy.
Leviticus 11 distinguishes between the various animals which could be used for food and which were unclean to them. There are many groups that make careful study of this passage and the related ones in trying to set rules for themselves about what they should or should not eat. While there may or may not be health benefits from avoiding certain foods while eating others, that will not be accomplished by keeping the dietary regulations imposed in the Mosaic Law because that was not their purpose. For example, pigs are in the restricted list of unclean animals. It is known that eating raw pork can result in trichinosis, a parasitic disease that can cause severe muscle pain where the worms embed themselves and can even lead to death. The parasites are killed by cooking, and since Jews were not to eat raw meat (nothing with its blood in it) then trichinosis from pork would not have been a health risk just as it is not for us today if we will but simply cook the meat.
The key phrases throughout the chapter are “unclean to you” and “detestable to you.” That does not translate into those things being unclean or detestable to all other people or throughout the ages. They had been clean prior to the Mosaic Law (Genesis 9:3) and they were no longer unclean after Acts 10 when the Lord gave Peter the vision in which he is told to “kill and eat” of every kind of animal and then specifically told “what God has cleansed, no longer consider unholy.” Paul is also strong on this point saying in 1 Timothy 4:1-5 that it is a doctrine of demons that advocate abstaining from foods “which God has created to be gratefully shared in by those who believe and know the truth, for everything created by God is good and nothing is to be rejected , if it is received with gratitude; for it is sanctified by means of the word of God and prayer.”
Leviticus 12 gives laws concerning ceremonial impurity related to childbirth and the requirements for purification following it. Leviticus 13 & 14 give laws concerning all sorts of leprosy. This is more than just Hansen’s disease which is caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium leprae, for it also includes “leprosy” of clothing and houses which would be certain molds and mildews. There were precise ways in which the priest was to determine if it was a “leprosy” or not and what would have to be done for purification. Leviticus 15 has laws concerning various bodily discharges and what have to be done to be purified after the discharge stopped. Again, there would be certain health benefits to some of these laws, such as isolating certain infectious diseases from spreading, but again the primary focus of these laws was ceremonial purity in order to come before God with the congregation. As Leviticus 15:31 points out, it was to keep the sons of Israel separated from their uncleanness, lest they die in their uncleanness by their defiling My tabernacle that is among them.”
Laws of Atonements (Leviticus 16,17)
Leviticus 16 & 17 are crucial to our understanding of holiness and purity for they explain not only the yearly the Day of Atonement – Yom Kippur – in which atonement would be made for the holy sanctuary, the tent of meeting and altar, the priests and all the people of the assembly (Leviticus 16:33), but they also explain how the sacrifices actually make atonement.
The yearly Day of Atonement was to be carried out with particular sacrifices and rituals. It was to occur on the tenth day of the seventh month which is usually late September or early October in our calendar. It was a to be a sabbath of solemn rest for the purpose of humbling their souls before God.
The bull for the sin offering was for the high priest and his household. It differed from the normal sin offering for a priest in that he was to bring some its blood inside the veil into the holy of holies along with firepan full of coals with finely ground sweet incense on it. He was to take some of the blood and sprinkle it with his finger on the mercy seat on the east side and then sprinkle some more with his finger in front of the mercy seat seven times.
After this he was to take two goats and cast lots for them. One would be offered as a sin offering for the people. He was to take some of the blood and sprinkle it with his finger on the mercy seat on the east side and then sprinkle some more with his finger in front of the mercy seat seven times to make atonement for the sin of the people and for the holy place and the tent of meeting. This was the one time of year that he was to enter the holy of holies and come before the mercy seat which was on the ark of the covenant. While he was inside no one else was to be in the tent of meeting. When he came out from it he was to take some of the blood of the bull and some of the blood of the goat and put it on the horns of the altar on all sides and sprinkle it seven times.
After this he was to take the live goat and lay both hands on its head and confess over it all the iniquities and transgressions of the sons of Israel and lay them on the head of the goat. The goat was then to be led away into the wilderness where it would be set free. The symbolism is that it would bear the sins of Israel away from them. (We get from this our phrase “scapegoat,” meaning someone who is innocent but upon whom all the blame is placed).
After changing from the linen garment he wore into the holy of holies, the high priest would burn the fat portions of the bull and goat sacrificed as sin offerings and then the remainder of them were to be taken outside of camp and burned up.
Leviticus 17 explains the restrictions on sacrifices and the means by which they made atonement. Sacrifices were only to be made at the tent of meeting. Anyone that slaughtered their sacrifice outside the camp would be cut off from among the people. The laws concerning sacrifices were to be taken very seriously.
In addition, there was also a very serious restriction on eating the blood of an animal whether it was for sacrifice or not. Leviticus 17:10 states that the Lord would set His face against every person that eats blood and they would be cut off from among the people. This law applied to all the sons of Israel and any alien sojourning among them. The reason is given in verse 11 and repeated in verse 14. “For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you on the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood by reason of the life that makes atonement.” It is not the blood, but the life that has been sacrificed that makes the atonement. This is a very important point for there are those that make God out to be bloodthirsty, which He is not. There are others that want to make the blood into some sort of physical payment system by which they can buy off God, which they can’t. There are others that want to carry this over to the blood of Jesus and make it into some magical substance, which it is not. Leviticus can not make it anymore clear. It is not the blood itself, it is the life which it represents that makes atonement. If it was the blood itself then all that would be needed is a small injury by which some blood could be collected, but the reality is that the animal must die or there is no atonement. Let me also quickly add that the idea that this passage prohibits blood transfusions is preposterous. That is one of the absurd doctrines of the Jehovah’s Witnesses. A transfusion is not “eating” blood. Blood transfusions are good. They are in a real sense the transfer of the means of life, for life is in the blood.
But why does their have to be this loss of life in a sacrifice?
Remember back in Genesis 2:17 that God told Adam that if he disobeyed Him and ate of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil he would surely die. When Adam did to do that very thing his sin caused a separation between him and God (spiritual death) and the physical death process began. Sin brings death.
Adam’s shame caused him to attempt to hide from God, but you cannot hide from a being that is everywhere present (omnipresent) and knows all things (omniscient). When Adam realized he was naked he tried to cover himself with fig leaves, but fig leaves are not durable and so they are not suitable for clothing. Genesis 3:21 tells us that “the Lord God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife, and clothed them.” The clothing would cover the shame of their sin as revealed in their nakedness. The word atonement means “covering.” God killed an animal to use its skin as to make a covering, an atonement, for Adam and Eve. Again, sin brings death, but in this case it was a substitute death. The animal died instead of Adam or Eve. (See: Sin and Its Consequences)
However, animal sacrifices have essential deficiencies as an atonement for sin in three areas. First, they are not of the same nature as those who sinned. Second, they are not of sufficient value to make satisfaction for sin. Third, they could not themselves consent to being offered up as a substitute. This is why Hebrews 10:4 states directly that it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. The Old Testament also has many statements that say the same thing or explain the inadequacies of an animal sacrifice and what the Lord actually wanted. Jeremiah 7:21-23 gives an historical explanation. “Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, “Add your burnt offerings to your sacrifices and eat flesh. 22 “For I did not speak to your fathers, or command them in the day that I brought them out of the land of Egypt, concerning burnt offerings and sacrifices. 23 “But this is what I commanded them, saying, ‘Obey My voice, and I will be your God, and you will be My people; and you will walk in all the way which I command you, that it may be well with you.’ Hosea 6:6 states is succinctly, “For I delight in loyalty rather than sacrifice, And in the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.”
Why then were animal sacrifices offered? Because it is what God commanded. The worshiper was to place their faith in God’s mercy and grace to accept the sacrifice as a substitute. Faith was in God, not the sacrifice itself. No one could demand God accept them based on animal sacrifices. God placed the sacrificial system upon the people as a continually reminder of their sinfulness, guilt and condemnation so that they would seek God’s forgiveness. Salvation has always been based in faith in a gracious God and not on works. Consider Psalm 40:6-8 which says, “Sacrifice and meal offering Thou hast not desired; My ears Thou hast opened; Burnt offering and sin offering Thou hast not required. 7 Then I said, “Behold, I come; In the scroll of the book it is written of me; 8 I delight to do Thy will, O my God; Thy Law is within my heart.” There is also Psalm 51:16-17 which says “For Thou dost not delight in sacrifice, otherwise I would give it; Thou art not pleased with burnt offering. 17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; A broken and a contrite heart, O God, Thou wilt not despise.”
Animal sacrifices were not sufficient and only a shadow of what was needed and was to come (Hebrews 10). God would provide the perfect sacrifice in Jesus Christ for He is of the same nature as we, He is of more than sufficient value to make satisfaction for sin, and He willingly consented to being offered up as the redemption price. He substituted His life for ours. (See: Jesus Christ: Our Redeemer)
Jesus is the fulfillment of the sacrificial system. As the burnt offering His sinless life was wholly dedicated to God. As a grain offering He gained the favor of God who was well pleased with Him. As the sin offering His substitutionary death was the atonement for sin. As the guilt offering He paid the price of redemption so that what was unclean is made holy. As the peace offering He has brought about the blessing of reconciliation so that there is peace and fellowship between God and man.
It is by humbly coming to Jesus Christ with faith in Him and His atoning sacrifice that man can be reconciled with God. It is the only means by which man can come to God. (See: Justified by God’s Grace through Faith)
In a few moments we will celebrate communion which is done in reflection of Jesus’ becoming the sacrifice for our sin, for in partaking of the elements, the bread signifying His body, and the cup, signifying His blood, we show forth His death until He comes (1 Corinthians 11:23-30).
Sermon Notes – October 21, 2007
The Sacrificial System – Leviticus 1-17
Introduction
Leviticus gives instruction on how the ___________ of God was to take place
Because God is _____________, His people must also be ___________
The sacrifices were the means by which ______________ was made for their sins
The Sacrificial System
Burnt Offerings – Leviticus 1 & 6:8-13 – Voluntary
Given to ___________ for general sin and to demonstrate complete ______________ to God
The animal sacrificed varied dependent upon ______________.
(It could be an unblemished bull, or a _______ sheep or goat, or a turtledove or young pigeon).
Its blood was sprinkled on the__________ and _______________ was burned up.
The skin was given to the _____________
Grain Offerings – Leviticus 2 & 6:14-23
A voluntary gift offering in seeking God’s favor or expressing ________________ for it.
Three types: 1) fine _________; 2) Cooked ______________; 3) Roasted _________________
A portion was burned on the altar and the rest belonged to the ________________
Peace Offerings – Leviticus 3; 7:11-36 & 22:18-30
A voluntary offering that signified the___________ that existed between God and the worshiper
Three types: 1) _______________ for unexpected blessing / deliverance;
2) Votive / gratitude for blessing / deliverance related to a ______________;
3) General _________________
The sacrifice could be a ________ or ___________ from the herd, from the flock or goats
Blood spread ___________________. The fat portions were __________________
The _______________ received the breast & right thigh, the ________________ could eat the rest
Sin Offerings – Leviticus 4:1-5:13; 6:24-30
A required offering to make ______________ for sins committed unintentionally / without defiance
A sin offering was not acceptable for ______________ sins (Num. 15:30-31; Isaiah 1:11f; Jer. 6:20f)
The animal sacrificed varied dependent upon ______________ and ___________________.
A ___________________ for priests and the congregation. A __________________ for a ruler.
For commoners, it could be a _________________ goat or lamb, 2 turtledoves or young pigeons, or a tenth of an ephah (~ 3 __________) of fine flour – without oil or incense
Blood was sprinkled __________ time before veil of sanctuary & placed on horns of the altar of incense
If a bull for a priest or congregation, the remainder was __________________ outside of camp
If a goat / lamb, the remainder was ________ by __________ in court of Tabernacle
Guilt Offerings – Leviticus 5:14-6:7
Required offering for sins requiring a ______________
If against the Lord, a sin offering and restitution plus 20% given to ___________________
If against a person, a sin offering and restitution plus 20% given to ___________________
Laws of the Priests (Leviticus 8-10)
Leviticus 8, Aaron and sons ____________ themselves
Leviticus 9, Aaron and sons made the first _______________ after being consecrated
Nadab & Abihu died because they did not treat the Lord as __________ in offering strange incense
Additional instructions included no use of ______ or ____________ when coming into the tent of meeting
Laws of Purity (Leviticus 11-15)
Any _____________ of these ceremonial laws were secondary to distinguishing Israel from other nations.
Leviticus 11 – Laws distinguishing clean and unclean ______________.
All animals were ________ before hand (Genesis 9:3) and are_______now (Acts 10; 1 Timothy 4:1-5)
Leviticus 12 – Ceremonial laws related to _____________ and purification
Leviticus 13 & 14 – Ceremonial laws related to “__________” – infectious ulcers of skin, clothing, houses
Leviticus 15 – Ceremonial laws related to ____________________ and purification
Laws of Atonements (Leviticus 16,17)
Leviticus 16 – The _____________________- a Sabbath of solemn rest and humbling of souls before God
A bull offered to atone for___________ & his household
Blood sprinkled 7 times in front of & on east side of the _______ ______,
A goat offered to atone for sins of ____________ and cleanse the holy place and the tent of meeting
Sins were confessed over head of the ______________ which was then led into the wilderness and freed
Blood was not to be eaten because ________ was in the blood and the ________ made atonement for sin.
The animal died as a _____________ for the life of the sinner. (Genesis 3:21)
Animal sacrifices are _____________ as an atonement (Hebrews 10:4; Jeremiah 7:21-23; Hosea 6:6)
_____________ is the means by which the atonement is applied to the sinner (Psalm 40:6-8; 51:16-17)
Jesus Christ is the_______________ of all the sacrificial system.
Jesus atonement applied to us only by ___________.
KIDS CORNER
Parents, you are responsible to apply God’s Word to your children’s lives. Here is some help.
Young Children – draw a picture about something you hear during the sermon. Explain your picture(s) to your parents at lunch. Older Children – Do one or more of the following: 1) Write down all the verses mentioned in the sermon and look them up later. 2) Count how many times references to sacrifice or offerings are mentioned. Talk with your parents about how the importance of Jesus’ sacrifice for you.
THINK ABOUT IT!
Questions to consider in discussing the sermon with others. What danger was there to Israel in having God in their midst? What was the purpose of the sacrificial system? What was the purpose of each of the five types of sacrifices? – Burnt offering, Grain offering, Peace Offering, Sin Offering & Guilt Offering. Which two are required? Which three are voluntary? What differences are there in the placement of the blood between the burnt offering, the peace offering, the sin offering and the bull & goat offerings on the Day of Atonement. What was the purpose of the scapegoat? Why did God kill Nadab & Abihu? What lesson is there in that for you? What additional restriction was placed on priests as a result? What was the major purpose of the ceremonial laws of purity? Should the dietary restrictions in Leviticus still be followed? Why or why not? Why was a blood sacrifice necessary? What deficiencies were there in animal sacrifices? How is Jesus Christ superior to them? How is Jesus’ atonement applied to an individual? Is it applied to you?
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