Leviticus 4
THE SIN and trespass offerings, unlike the first three (chapters 1-3), were not voluntary, nor were they for a sweet savor. They were compulsory, or required, to clear the conscience of the one who sinned, to restore that which had been taken away or ruined, and to vindicate God’s honor. Through them forgiveness was sought and secured.
These offerings tell of the provision on God’s part for those hopelessly lost otherwise. They are typical of the atoning work of the Lord Jesus, whom God has given for saints as well as sinners, for His love goes out to both.
In the sweet savor sacrifices the acceptance of the offering is transferred to the offerer. In those for sin and guilt the offerer’s sin was transferred to the offering. The Lord Jesus His own self bore our sins in His body on the tree (1 Pet. 2:2424Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. (1 Peter 2:24)). How sweetly does mercy shine in either case, and tells of His perfect work.
The provision here was only for “sins of ignorance.” We must remember that Israel were a people still under law, and the law made nothing perfect (Heb. 7:1212For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law. (Hebrews 7:12)); it could only reveal but part of the mind of God. “Grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.” John 1:1717For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. (John 1:17). If the gospel provided only for sins committed in ignorance, who of us could be saved? But thank God, it declares that the sacrifice of Christ has atoned for every sin of him who believes, those done willfully as well as those done unwittingly; “The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.”
However, sin done ignorantly still is sin. This we learn from chapter 5:17-19: “If a soul sin...; though he wist it not, yet he is guilty, and shall bear his iniquity.” This is an important principle, for it shows that we cannot take our own thoughts of what is sin as a standard, but the unalterable Word of God is our only guide. Praise His name, there is the sacrifice of Christ for all these sins; still it is sin and has to be confessed as such, and like all sin, needed the blood of Jesus to cleanse it. May this warning from God’s inspired Word make us more careful in all we do, and make us more diligent in searching the Word, so that sins of ignorance may be less common with us than they have been!
We find in this chapter differences in the sin offerings to be brought, because of a solemn principle with God. How grave the sin is depends on the position of him who sins. How often we see those who would screen or cover up the offense of one who is great, if they can! On the other hand the same might be hard on him who is poor, friendless, and deemed of little account. But not so with God, who tells us that “to whomsoever much is given, of the same shall much be required.” Luke 12:4848But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more. (Luke 12:48). One who has been brought up in a Christian home is much more responsible than one who has not had that privilege.
ML-07/04/1971