Leviticus 6:1-7
The trespasses listed:
- Lying to neighbor about qty of something delivered for safekeeping.
- Lying about a pledge
- Lying about a robbery
- Extortion of a neighbor
- Found something lost and lied about it
None of these appear to be trespasses we might categorize as inadvertent. They appear to be motivated by greed and self-interest. However, we've all found ourself in a place where we acted in self-interest and didn't realize how selfish it was until later. The temptation to play 'finders-keepers' was greater as the value increased. The temptation to inflate the value of something loaned to a neighbor that was subsequently lost is real and strangely comes very natural when we are angry with the loss (you often hear it valued higher because of sentimental value).
Restitution was requited with the offering to make atonement and therefore be forgiven.
Leviticus 6:8-13
In an apparent effort to minister unto the Lord continually, the burnt offering was to be the last sacrifice of the day and then kept burning all night. There would be a nightshift for those keeping the fire burning. In the morning, the priest would be dressed with his priests' clothes to remove the ash from the altar. It would be placed alongside the altar. He would then take off his priestly garments and put on other clothes to carry the ashes out of the camp to a clean place.
The fire was to be kept burning. In the morning a burnt offering would be offered. The fire was to never go out. Why? Sin would never cease, and therefore, the opportunity for atonement should not cease as well as the worship and praise for all the Lord has done.
The purpose of the burnt offering is not clearly stated in the Bible, but most consider it as a symbol of entire and perpetual consecration to God. It was self-dedication, following upon and growing out of pardon and acceptance with God. [Freeman, J. M., & Chadwick, H. J. (1998). Manners & customs of the Bible (p. 145). Bridge-Logos Publishers.]
Some scholars believe the morning sacrifice was placed on the fire a little at a time throughout the day so as to keep a continual sacrifice and pleasing aroma before the Lord. Likewise, the evening sacrifice would be placed on the fire throughout the night.
"Does the perpetual fire burn on the altar of thy heart? Art thou ever looking unto Jesus, and beholding, by faith, the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world?" (Clarke – sited by Guzik)
Leviticus 6:14-18
A memorial portion of the grain offering is offered on the fire with oil and frankincense. This would be a pleasing aroma to the Lord. The sons of Aaron were to eat the remaining portion. This was eaten by males only, in a holy place. Everyone touching the offering must be holy. This was God's provision to the sons of Aaron.
Leviticus 6:19-23
There was a particular grain offering associated with the anointing of the high priest. The priest was to offer a grain offering on the day he was anointed. A tenth of an Ephah was about 5 cups of flour, making 2 cakes about 8" in diameter. One of these cakes would be offered in the morning and completely burned up; the other offered in the evening.
Leviticus 6:24-30
We get further direction on sin offerings, particularly those of purification. The priest is able to eat the meat of these offerings. It is to be done in a holy place and the person eating it must be holy. When making the offering, if blood is sprinkled on a garment, it must be laundered. The blood is seen as if it had been infected with the sin of the worshiper. It was to be washed in a holy place.
If the offering was boiled in an earthen vessel, it had to be broken afterward. It was porous and therefore would be infected with the sin within the blood of the sacrifice. A bronze vessel could be washed and re-used.
If blood was brought into the tabernacle for atonement, the meat of the sacrifice was not to be eaten by the priests.
©2022 Calvary Chapel Sweetwater
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