There are four sacrifices which may be classed as sin offerings, in which the bodies of the animals in question were burned without the camp: the sin offering for the sin of a priest (Lev. 4:1-12), the sin offering for a sin of the whole congregation (Lev. 4:13-21), the red heifer (Num. 19), and the sacrifice on the great day of atonement (Lev. 16).
There was a difference between the sacrifice of the great day of atonement and the sin offerings for a priest’s sin and for the whole congregation. In the sacrifice of the great day of atonement, the blood was carried within the veil, for this was the foundation of all other sacrifices — of all relationship between God and Israel—and enabled God to dwell among them so as to receive the others. Its efficacy lasted throughout the year, and for us it is forever, as the Apostle reasons in the Hebrews. On it was based all the intercourse between God and the people. Hence the blood of it was sprinkled on the mercy seat, to be forever before the eyes of Him, for whom that mercy seat was to be His throne of both grace and righteousness. The perfect acceptance of Christ in His work was preserved in the burning of the fat on the altar of burnt offering. He had been made sin indeed, but also He knew no sin, and His offering in His most inmost thoughts and nature was, in the trial of God’s judgment, perfectly agreeable.
J. N. Darby