The Burnt Offering
The Devotedness of Christ
Studying these offerings from the Old Testament is an excellent way to deepen our knowledge and reverence for the Word of God, the magnificent will of God and the wondrous work of the Son of God. Every aspect of these of these offerings reveal different aspects of Christ’s life and work. These offerings were given to Moses by God, who after all knew Christ’s and His sufferings beforehand.
The first offering is known as the burnt offering, and is seen as an approach offering, indicating the way to God.
(a) The character of the Offering
Key to understanding this significance of this offering depends upon its character and the manner in which it was offered.
It must be without blemish, verse 3. This offering must be absolutely perfect both in the sight of man and God. Christ is God’s beloved Lamb, and was without blemish and without spot (1 Peter 1:19). Our Lord, when He walked the earth, was sinless in all He did. One sin in thought, feeling or deed would have made Him blemished sacrifice.
It must be brought to the door, verse 3. The door of access has been blocked by sin—our sins and the sins of the world. This door can only opened through suffering and sacrifice; Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, came for this purpose.
It must be killed before the Lord, verse 5. A perfect, blameless life is not enough to atone for sin and remove the barrier from the door. The lamb had to die; Christ had to die, and He had to die before the Lord in His very presence. The death of Jesus Christ was God’s doing, not Pilate’s or any man’s. Remember, it pleased the Lord to crush Him and make Him suffer, Isaiah 53:10. Atonement for sin has everything to do with God and nothing to do with us.
It must be laid in order upon the altar, verse 8. Everything had to done in order, according the Lord’s precise instructions because every aspect of this offering is typical of Him who came to do the Father’s will. The nailing of Christ, our Sacrifice, upon the Cross may be the figure here.
Its blood must be sprinkled, verse 5. The life-giving blood must be applied both to the altar and to the heart. The blameless one becomes the lifeless one, so that sinners may receive His life. The sprinkled blood saved the first-in Egypt (Exodus 12) and the sprinkled blood still speaks today, Hebrews 12:24.
Its innards must be washed, verse 9. The innards may suggest feelings and thoughts, the intents of the heart; this must all be clean before God. All was perfect in the Son of the Highest as our Passover Lamb. He could easily say, “Thy law is within my heart, I delight to do thy will.”
It must all be laid upon the altar, verse 9. All was given to God by the priest, and Jesus gave all; He offered Himself wholly and acceptable. Our Lamb was a sweet savor unto the Lord, Ephesians 5:2
(b) Some considerations of the Offerer. We may learn that—
An approach-offering was needed. Because of sin, man has surrendered all right to approach God. Man in his natural state is totally unfit to come near God. Jesus is the way; He is the only way sinful man can approach God.
This offering was voluntary, verse 3. Our “own voluntary will” is responsible for our accepting or rejecting God’s great offering for our sins.
There must be personal identification, verse 4. The priest put his hand upon the head of the offering. This is the touch of appropriation; it is the touch of faith, the leaning of a believing heart. We, too, must touch the Savior to appropriate what He has done for us on the Cross.
The offerer was accepted in the offering. Following the prescribed rules, the offerer was accepted because of the offering. We are made acceptable to God in Jesus Christ, Ephesians 1:6. By our acceptance of His offering on our behalf, we are made acceptable to God!
This privilege is offered to all. The Bible declares, “if any man,” verse two. This is a wide door opened by the infinite mercy and grace of god. Salvation, by the offering of Christ, is brought within the reach of every man who has heard the glorious gospel. Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, is the propitiation for the whole world.
Mike,
This posting is very timely. I started reading Leviticus last week or so and it has been challenging to get through because it’s kind of technical, for lack of a better word. This comes in handy for me. Thanks.
Marcia
Marcia,
I’ll try to get one or two up next week. We are doing this during our Wed. night Bible study, so I don’t want to put them up here before we actually do them at church.
Also, I am trying to keep the notes as untechnical as possible. Leviticus is hard enough to read.