This Month's Subject: The Offerings of Leviticus

From: Bible Student: Volume 2, 1882

• 14 min. read • grade level: 10

The subject worked out for this month is—

The offerings of Leviticus, and the various points in which they are typical of Christ.

This is a subject of a very different character from any which have hitherto occupied us, and it is one in which a reverent handling of the Word of God is more than ever necessary. In the consideration of these typical sacrifices there is so much that suggests itself to the heart for which perhaps the direct teaching of Scripture cannot be adduced, that we need to be especially careful that we are not carried away by our imaginations.

We have therefore felt it necessary, in arranging the papers sent in, to prune with a somewhat unsparing hand. The result is perhaps somewhat more brief than we could have wished, but we were anxious not to give it the appearance of a series of extended remarks on the Offerings. This will perhaps be more suitable for the paper in next month’s number.

It will be observed that in the peace offering we have merely indicated the chief points in the law, but in such a manner as we hope may direct the hearts of our readers to the spiritual meaning of the sacrifice.

The Burnt Offering.

A male without blemish, Leviticus 1:3³If his offering be a burnt sacrifice of the herd, let him offer a male without blemish: he shall offer it of his own voluntary will at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation before the Lord. (Leviticus 1:3). “Without spot” Hebrews 9:14¹⁴How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? (Hebrews 9:14); “ a lamb without blemish and without spot,” 1 Peter 1:19¹⁹But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: (1 Peter 1:19).

Of his own voluntary will, Leviticus 1:3³If his offering be a burnt sacrifice of the herd, let him offer a male without blemish: he shall offer it of his own voluntary will at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation before the Lord. (Leviticus 1:3). “Christ who... offered himself... to God” Hebrews 9:14¹⁴How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? (Hebrews 9:14); “ Therefore doth my Father love rue because I lay down my life that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of thyself.” John 10:17,18¹⁷Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. ¹⁸No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father. (John 10:17‑18).

He shall put his hand upon the head of the burnt offering, Leviticus 1:4⁴And he shall put his hand upon the head of the burnt offering; and it shall be accepted for him to make atonement for him. (Leviticus 1:4),—the identity of the offerer with the sacrifice. “as he is, so are we in this world” 1 John 4:17¹⁷Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. (1 John 4:17); also 2 Corinthians 5.17; Galatians 2:20²⁰I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. (Galatians 2:20); Colossians 2:20²⁰Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, (Colossians 2:20).

And he shall flay the burnt offering and cut it into his pieces, Leviticus 1:6⁶And he shall flay the burnt offering, and cut it into his pieces. (Leviticus 1:6).

And the priests...shall lay the parts, the head and the fat in order upon the wood, Leviticus 1:8⁸And the priests, Aaron's sons, shall lay the parts, the head, and the fat, in order upon the wood that is on the fire which is upon the altar: (Leviticus 1:8).

And his inwards and his legs shall he wash in water, Leviticus 1:4⁴And he shall put his hand upon the head of the burnt offering; and it shall be accepted for him to make atonement for him. (Leviticus 1:4). Thus not only was Christ’s outward life perfect in the sight of God and man, but His inner life also, the head-intelligence; the fat-will; the inwards-motives; the legs-walk, and the two latter were washed in water, thus rendering them typically what Christ was essentially-pure. “I come to do thy will, O God,” Hebrews 10:9⁹Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. (Hebrews 10:9); “ I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea thy law is within my heart” Psalms 40:8⁸I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart. (Psalm 40:8).

And the priest shall burn all on the altar, a burnt sacrifice, an offering made by fire of a sweet savor unto the Lord, Leviticus 1:9⁹But his inwards and his legs shall he wash in water: and the priest shall burn all on the altar, to be a burnt sacrifice, an offering made by fire, of a sweet savor unto the Lord. (Leviticus 1:9). “Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling savor.” Ephesians 5:2²And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savor. (Ephesians 5:2).

The distinctive features of this offering would appear to be the death of the offering which was to be consumed wholly by fire for a sweet savor unto the Lord.

The Meat Offering.

His offering shall be of fine flour, Leviticus 2:1¹And when any will offer a meat offering unto the Lord, his offering shall be of fine flour; and he shall pour oil upon it, and put frankincense thereon: (Leviticus 2:1). The characteristic of fine flour is its evenness, the absence of anything rough or unequal; hence it is adapted to be a type of our Lord’s perfect life, on the earth. It is impossible to say of Him (as we might say of the most devoted of His followers) that He was distinguished by any one particular quality-all was perfect and all was in its place.

Fine flour mingled with oil, Leviticus 2:5⁵And if thy oblation be a meat offering baken in a pan, it shall be of fine flour unleavened, mingled with oil. (Leviticus 2:5). “ That which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost, “ Matthew 20.

Thou shalt pour oil thereon. Leviticus 2:6⁶Thou shalt part it in pieces, and pour oil thereon: it is a meat offering. (Leviticus 2:6). “The heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him. “Matthew 3:16¹⁶And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: (Matthew 3:16); Luke 3;21-22.

With all the frankincense thereof, Leviticus 2:2²And he shall bring it to Aaron's sons the priests: and he shall take thereout his handful of the flour thereof, and of the oil thereof, with all the frankincense thereof; and the priest shall burn the memorial of it upon the altar, to be an offering made by fire, of a sweet savor unto the Lord: (Leviticus 2:2). The sweet savor of the life of Christ Godward.

Salt, Leviticus 2:13¹³And every oblation of thy meat offering shalt thou season with salt; neither shalt thou suffer the salt of the covenant of thy God to be lacking from thy meat offering: with all thine offerings thou shalt offer salt. (Leviticus 2:13). —Salt in Scripture is that which preserves from corruption. “Let your speech be always with grace seasoned with salt,” Colossians 4:6⁶Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man. (Colossians 4:6), and how true a description is this of our Lord’s intercourse with those by whom He was surrounded!

For ye shall burn no leaven, Leviticus 2:11¹¹No meat offering, which ye shall bring unto the Lord, shall be made with leaven: for ye shall burn no leaven, nor any honey, in any offering of the Lord made by fire. (Leviticus 2:11).-Leaven in scripture is invariably a type of evil, and the application of this thought typically to our Lord’s life is too obvious to need comment.

Nor any honey, Leviticus 2:11¹¹No meat offering, which ye shall bring unto the Lord, shall be made with leaven: for ye shall burn no leaven, nor any honey, in any offering of the Lord made by fire. (Leviticus 2:11). —Honey apparently is used to express sweetness, but in a human sense. How needful is the example presented to us by our Lord’s life that we should not allow the claims of nature to interfere with our service, See Mark 3:31-35³¹There came then his brethren and his mother, and, standing without, sent unto him, calling him. ³²And the multitude sat about him, and they said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren without seek for thee. ³³And he answered them, saying, Who is my mother, or my brethren? ³⁴And he looked round about on them which sat about him, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! ³⁵For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother. (Mark 3:31‑35); Luke 2:49⁴⁹And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business? (Luke 2:49); John 2:4⁴Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come. (John 2:4).

Baken in the oven (Leviticus 2:4⁴And if thou bring an oblation of a meat offering baken in the oven, it shall be unleavened cakes of fine flour mingled with oil, or unleavened wafers anointed with oil. (Leviticus 2:4)), in a pan (v. 5), in the fryingpan (v. 7) These thoughts surely present the sufferings of our Lord, but inasmuch as the meat offering was in no respect a sin offering, we may perhaps judge that it represents not His sufferings at the hand of God as the sin-bearer, but as a perfect man in the midst of all the evil and sorrow brought into the world through sin-See Isaiah 53:4⁴Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. (Isaiah 53:4).

And the remainder of the meat offering shall be Aaron’s and his sons, Leviticus 2:3³And the remnant of the meat offering shall be Aaron's and his sons': it is a thing most holy of the offerings of the Lord made by fire. (Leviticus 2:3); see also chapter 6:14-18, where the priests were directed to eat it in the holy place.

“A royal priesthood,” 1 Peter 2:9⁹But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: (1 Peter 2:9); “priests” Revelation 1:6⁶And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. (Revelation 1:6). Hence we are taught that the believer’s spiritual life is nourished as he meditates on the perfections of Jesus—but in the holy place.

In this offering there is no death; and while part is offered by fire for a sweet-savor unto the Lord, the remainder is the food of the priests.

The Peace Offering.

In many points this offering is so similar to the burnt offering, that a comparison of the two may serve to bring the points of difference clearly before us.

Both were offerings made by fire of a sweet savor unto the Lord (chapter 1:9; 3:5).

In both the identity of the offerer with his offering were expressed by the laying on of his hands (chapter 1:4: 3:2.)

Both were free-will offerings.

The burnt offering was to be a male without blemish-the peace offering might be either a male or female.

The burnt offering was flayed, cut in pieces, and the inwards washed in water—in the peace offering these directions are omitted.

In the burnt offering the priest was to burn all on the altar—in the peace offering only the fat, the kidneys, and the caul were to be burned, the rest being reserved as food for the offerer arid the priest.

In the ordinance of the peace offering directions are given that neither blood nor fat are ever to be eaten. Blood-that which makes atonement; the life which belongs to God. Fat— “the food of the offering by fire for a sweet savor” expressing the energies of a will devoted entirely to the service of God, “all the fat is the Lord’s.”

If the peace offering was for a thanksgiving, the offerer was to eat his portion the same day as that on which it was offered, Leviticus 7:12-35¹²If he offer it for a thanksgiving, then he shall offer with the sacrifice of thanksgiving unleavened cakes mingled with oil, and unleavened wafers anointed with oil, and cakes mingled with oil, of fine flour, fried. ¹³Besides the cakes, he shall offer for his offering leavened bread with the sacrifice of thanksgiving of his peace offerings. ¹⁴And of it he shall offer one out of the whole oblation for an heave offering unto the Lord, and it shall be the priest's that sprinkleth the blood of the peace offerings. ¹⁵And the flesh of the sacrifice of his peace offerings for thanksgiving shall be eaten the same day that it is offered; he shall not leave any of it until the morning. ¹⁶But if the sacrifice of his offering be a vow, or a voluntary offering, it shall be eaten the same day that he offereth his sacrifice: and on the morrow also the remainder of it shall be eaten: ¹⁷But the remainder of the flesh of the sacrifice on the third day shall be burnt with fire. ¹⁸And if any of the flesh of the sacrifice of his peace offerings be eaten at all on the third day, it shall not be accepted, neither shall it be imputed unto him that offereth it: it shall be an abomination, and the soul that eateth of it shall bear his iniquity. ¹⁹And the flesh that toucheth any unclean thing shall not be eaten; it shall be burnt with fire: and as for the flesh, all that be clean shall eat thereof. ²⁰But the soul that eateth of the flesh of the sacrifice of peace offerings, that pertain unto the Lord, having his uncleanness upon him, even that soul shall be cut off from his people. ²¹Moreover the soul that shall touch any unclean thing, as the uncleanness of man, or any unclean beast, or any abominable unclean thing, and eat of the flesh of the sacrifice of peace offerings, which pertain unto the Lord, even that soul shall be cut off from his people. ²²And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, ²³Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, Ye shall eat no manner of fat, of ox, or of sheep, or of goat. ²⁴And the fat of the beast that dieth of itself, and the fat of that which is torn with beasts, may be used in any other use: but ye shall in no wise eat of it. ²⁵For whosoever eateth the fat of the beast, of which men offer an offering made by fire unto the Lord, even the soul that eateth it shall be cut off from his people. ²⁶Moreover ye shall eat no manner of blood, whether it be of fowl or of beast, in any of your dwellings. ²⁷Whatsoever soul it be that eateth any manner of blood, even that soul shall be cut off from his people. ²⁸And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, ²⁹Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, He that offereth the sacrifice of his peace offerings unto the Lord shall bring his oblation unto the Lord of the sacrifice of his peace offerings. ³⁰His own hands shall bring the offerings of the Lord made by fire, the fat with the breast, it shall he bring, that the breast may be waved for a wave offering before the Lord. ³¹And the priest shall burn the fat upon the altar: but the breast shall be Aaron's and his sons'. ³²And the right shoulder shall ye give unto the priest for an heave offering of the sacrifices of your peace offerings. ³³He among the sons of Aaron, that offereth the blood of the peace offerings, and the fat, shall have the right shoulder for his part. ³⁴For the wave breast and the heave shoulder have I taken of the children of Israel from off the sacrifices of their peace offerings, and have given them unto Aaron the priest and unto his sons by a statute for ever from among the children of Israel. ³⁵This is the portion of the anointing of Aaron, and of the anointing of his sons, out of the offerings of the Lord made by fire, in the day when he presented them to minister unto the Lord in the priest's office; (Leviticus 7:12‑35). If it was a vow or a voluntary offering, it might be eaten the same day and the day following, and the third day it was to be burned.

None might partake of the peace offering save those who were clean, see 1 John 1:7⁷But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. (1 John 1:7).

It was to be shared with the priest who offered it, whose portion was to be the right shoulder.

The breast was to be Aaron’s and his sons.

In this sacrifice death is presented, the Lord’s portion is burnt as a sweet savor unto the lord, and the remainder is the food of the offerer, of the offering priest, and of the priests in general.

In these three sacrifices it will be observed that sin is not in view: in the burnt offering indeed, atonement is spoken of, but still it is not the thought; all are characterized as “an offering made by fire of a sweet savor unto the Lord.”

We now come to an offering in which this significant expression is omitted.

The Sin Offering.

Under this head are two great classes-sin offerings and trespass offerings, and the latter again are divided into four, as follows: (1) Leviticus 4; (2) Leviticus 5:1-13¹And if a soul sin, and hear the voice of swearing, and is a witness, whether he hath seen or known of it; if he do not utter it, then he shall bear his iniquity. ²Or if a soul touch any unclean thing, whether it be a carcase of an unclean beast, or a carcase of unclean cattle, or the carcase of unclean creeping things, and if it be hidden from him; he also shall be unclean, and guilty. ³Or if he touch the uncleanness of man, whatsoever uncleanness it be that a man shall be defiled withal, and it be hid from him; when he knoweth of it, then he shall be guilty. ⁴Or if a soul swear, pronouncing with his lips to do evil, or to do good, whatsoever it be that a man shall pronounce with an oath, and it be hid from him; when he knoweth of it, then he shall be guilty in one of these. ⁵And it shall be, when he shall be guilty in one of these things, that he shall confess that he hath sinned in that thing: ⁶And he shall bring his trespass offering unto the Lord for his sin which he hath sinned, a female from the flock, a lamb or a kid of the goats, for a sin offering; and the priest shall make an atonement for him concerning his sin. ⁷And if he be not able to bring a lamb, then he shall bring for his trespass, which he hath committed, two turtledoves, or two young pigeons, unto the Lord; one for a sin offering, and the other for a burnt offering. ⁸And he shall bring them unto the priest, who shall offer that which is for the sin offering first, and wring off his head from his neck, but shall not divide it asunder: ⁹And he shall sprinkle of the blood of the sin offering upon the side of the altar; and the rest of the blood shall be wrung out at the bottom of the altar: it is a sin offering. ¹⁰And he shall offer the second for a burnt offering, according to the manner: and the priest shall make an atonement for him for his sin which he hath sinned, and it shall be forgiven him. ¹¹But if he be not able to bring two turtledoves, or two young pigeons, then he that sinned shall bring for his offering the tenth part of an ephah of fine flour for a sin offering; he shall put no oil upon it, neither shall he put any frankincense thereon: for it is a sin offering. ¹²Then shall he bring it to the priest, and the priest shall take his handful of it, even a memorial thereof, and burn it on the altar, according to the offerings made by fire unto the Lord: it is a sin offering. ¹³And the priest shall make an atonement for him as touching his sin that he hath sinned in one of these, and it shall be forgiven him: and the remnant shall be the priest's, as a meat offering. (Leviticus 5:1‑13); (3) Leviticus 5:14-19¹⁴And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, ¹⁵If a soul commit a trespass, and sin through ignorance, in the holy things of the Lord; then he shall bring for his trespass unto the Lord a ram without blemish out of the flocks, with thy estimation by shekels of silver, after the shekel of the sanctuary, for a trespass offering: ¹⁶And he shall make amends for the harm that he hath done in the holy thing, and shall add the fifth part thereto, and give it unto the priest: and the priest shall make an atonement for him with the ram of the trespass offering, and it shall be forgiven him. ¹⁷And if a soul sin, and commit any of these things which are forbidden to be done by the commandments of the Lord; though he wist it not, yet is he guilty, and shall bear his iniquity. ¹⁸And he shall bring a ram without blemish out of the flock, with thy estimation, for a trespass offering, unto the priest: and the priest shall make an atonement for him concerning his ignorance wherein he erred and wist it not, and it shall be forgiven him. ¹⁹It is a trespass offering: he hath certainly trespassed against the Lord. (Leviticus 5:14‑19); (4) Leviticus 6:1-7¹And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, ²If a soul sin, and commit a trespass against the Lord, and lie unto his neighbor in that which was delivered him to keep, or in fellowship, or in a thing taken away by violence, or hath deceived his neighbor; ³Or have found that which was lost, and lieth concerning it, and sweareth falsely; in any of all these that a man doeth, sinning therein: ⁴Then it shall be, because he hath sinned, and is guilty, that he shall restore that which he took violently away, or the thing which he hath deceitfully gotten, or that which was delivered him to keep, or the lost thing which he found, ⁵Or all that about which he hath sworn falsely; he shall even restore it in the principal, and shall add the fifth part more thereto, and give it unto him to whom it appertaineth, in the day of his trespass offering. ⁶And he shall bring his trespass offering unto the Lord, a ram without blemish out of the flock, with thy estimation, for a trespass offering, unto the priest: ⁷And the priest shall make an atonement for him before the Lord: and it shall be forgiven him for any thing of all that he hath done in trespassing therein. (Leviticus 6:1‑7).

In the consideration of these offerings we need to bear particularly in mind the words of the apostle Paul in Hebrews 10 and especially verse 14.

It may be more convenient if we consider principally the sin offering of the great day of atonement (Leviticus 16), as being the one by which the relationship of the people with Jehovah was maintained, and therefore typical of the work by which we are brought into relationship with God.

It will be observed that while burnt offerings (in which the truth of atonement is presented) were offered, there were neither meat nor peace offerings.

“ That he come not at all times into the holy place within the wail,” Leviticus 16:2²And the Lord said unto Moses, Speak unto Aaron thy brother, that he come not at all times into the holy place within the vail before the mercy seat, which is upon the ark; that he die not: for I will appear in the cloud upon the mercy seat. (Leviticus 16:2); Hebrews 9:7⁷But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people: (Hebrews 9:7); Luke 23:45⁴⁵And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst. (Luke 23:45); Hebrews 10:19¹⁹Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, (Hebrews 10:19).

“ He shall put on the holy linen coat, etc.... these are holy garments; therefore shall he wash his flesh in water and so put them on,” Leviticus 16:4⁴He shall put on the holy linen coat, and he shall have the linen breeches upon his flesh, and shall be girded with a linen girdle, and with the linen mitre shall he be attired: these are holy garments; therefore shall he wash his flesh in water, and so put them on. (Leviticus 16:4). “ For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners and made higher than the heavens.” Hebrews 7:26²⁶For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; (Hebrews 7:26).

“And he shall take...two kids of the goats for a sin offering.” Leviticus 16:5⁵And he shall take of the congregation of the children of Israel two kids of the goats for a sin offering, and one ram for a burnt offering. (Leviticus 16:5). We judge from this that the directions with regard to both animals must be considered, for us to learn from the type a full view of the work of Christ as the sin offering.

“ One lot for the Lord” Leviticus 16:8⁸And Aaron shall cast lots upon the two goats; one lot for the Lord, and the other lot for the scapegoat. (Leviticus 16:8). “ Behold the Lamb of God.” John 1:36³⁶And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God! (John 1:36).

“ The other lot for the scape-goat.” Leviticus 16:8⁸And Aaron shall cast lots upon the two goats; one lot for the Lord, and the other lot for the scapegoat. (Leviticus 16:8). Christ died for the ungodly. Romans 5:6⁶For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. (Romans 5:6).

“ And Aaron shall bring the goat upon which the Lord’s lot fell and offer him for a sin offering.” Leviticus 16:9⁹And Aaron shall bring the goat upon which the Lord's lot fell, and offer him for a sin offering. (Leviticus 16:9). and in detail verses 15-19. “Whom God hath set forth a propitiation,” Romans 3:25²⁵Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; (Romans 3:25).

“But the goat on which the lot fell to be the scapegoat shall be presented alive before the Lord, to make an atonement with him and to let him go for a scapegoat into the wilderness.” Leviticus 16:10¹⁰But the goat, on which the lot fell to be the scapegoat, shall be presented alive before the Lord, to make an atonement with him, and to let him go for a scapegoat into the wilderness. (Leviticus 16:10); and in detail verses 20-22. “Who was delivered for our offenses and was raised again for our justification.” Romans 4:25²⁵Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification. (Romans 4:25).

“Then shall he kill the goat of the sin offering that is for the people and bring his blood within the vail... and sprinkle it upon the mercy seat and before the mercy seat,” Leviticus 16:15¹⁵Then shall he kill the goat of the sin offering, that is for the people, and bring his blood within the vail, and do with that blood as he did with the blood of the bullock, and sprinkle it upon the mercy seat, and before the mercy seat: (Leviticus 16:15). “But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal, (seven times sprinkled) redemption.” Hebrews 9:11,12¹¹But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; ¹²Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. (Hebrews 9:11‑12).

“And he shall make an atonement for the holy place,” Leviticus 16:16¹⁶And he shall make an atonement for the holy place, because of the uncleanness of the children of Israel, and because of their transgressions in all their sins: and so shall he do for the tabernacle of the congregation, that remaineth among them in the midst of their uncleanness. (Leviticus 16:16). Hebrews 9: 21-23, 24, “for Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself.”

“And there shall be no man in the tabernacle of the congregation” Leviticus 16:17¹⁷And there shall be no man in the tabernacle of the congregation when he goeth in to make an atonement in the holy place, until he come out, and have made an atonement for himself, and for his household, and for all the congregation of Israel. (Leviticus 16:17). “And there was darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour,” Luke 23:44⁴⁴And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. (Luke 23:44).

“And have made an atonement... for all the congregation of Israel,” Leviticus 16:17¹⁷And there shall be no man in the tabernacle of the congregation when he goeth in to make an atonement in the holy place, until he come out, and have made an atonement for himself, and for his household, and for all the congregation of Israel. (Leviticus 16:17). “To make propitiation (R. V.) for the sins of the people,” Hebrews 2:17¹⁷Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. (Hebrews 2:17). “And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for our’s only, but also for the whole world,” 1 John 2:2²And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. (1 John 2:2).

“And Aaron shall lay both his hands upon the head of the live goat and confess over him all the iniquities of the children of Israel,” Leviticus 16:21²¹And Aaron shall lay both his hands upon the head of the live goat, and confess over him all the iniquities of the children of Israel, and all their transgressions in all their sins, putting them upon the head of the goat, and shall send him away by the hand of a fit man into the wilderness: (Leviticus 16:21). “The Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all,” Isaiah 53:6⁶All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. (Isaiah 53:6).

“And the goat shall bear upon him all their iniquities unto a land not inhabited,” Leviticus 16:22²²And the goat shall bear upon him all their iniquities unto a land not inhabited: and he shall let go the goat in the wilderness. (Leviticus 16:22). “Their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more,” Hebrews 10:17¹⁷And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. (Hebrews 10:17): Psalms 103:12¹²As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. (Psalm 103:12).

“Without the camp: and they shall burn in the fire their skins and their flesh and their dung,” Leviticus 16:27²⁷And the bullock for the sin offering, and the goat for the sin offering, whose blood was brought in to make atonement in the holy place, shall one carry forth without the camp; and they shall burn in the fire their skins, and their flesh, and their dung. (Leviticus 16:27). For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp. Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate, Hebrews 13:11,12¹¹For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp. ¹²Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate. (Hebrews 13:11‑12).

“And this shall be a statute forever unto you, that in the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month... on that day shall the priest make an atonement for you,” Leviticus 16:29,30²⁹And this shall be a statute for ever unto you: that in the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, ye shall afflict your souls, and do no work at all, whether it be one of your own country, or a stranger that sojourneth among you: ³⁰For on that day shall the priest make an atonement for you, to cleanse you, that ye may be clean from all your sins before the Lord. (Leviticus 16:29‑30); “once a year” Leviticus 16:34³⁴And this shall be an everlasting statute unto you, to make an atonement for the children of Israel for all their sins once a year. And he did as the Lord commanded Moses. (Leviticus 16:34). Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with the blood of others... but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared... So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many, Hebrews 9:25-28²⁵Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others; ²⁶For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. ²⁷And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: ²⁸So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation. (Hebrews 9:25‑28).

In the sin offering, as set forth in Leviticus 4:5-6⁵And the priest that is anointed shall take of the bullock's blood, and bring it to the tabernacle of the congregation: ⁶And the priest shall dip his finger in the blood, and sprinkle of the blood seven times before the Lord, before the vail of the sanctuary. (Leviticus 4:5‑6), there remain a few points to be noticed which supplement the teaching of Chapter 16 Such of the details as are common to other sacrifices are omitted.

“He shall lay his hand upon the bullock’s head,” Leviticus 4:4⁴And he shall bring the bullock unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation before the Lord; and shall lay his hand upon the bullock's head, and kill the bullock before the Lord. (Leviticus 4:4). Expressive of identity— “He hath made him to be sin for us who knew no sin.” 2 Corinthians 5:21²¹For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. (2 Corinthians 5:21).

In the burnt offering we read of the laying on of the hands, but also it shall be accepted for him, chapter 1:4. So that the offerer shared in all the acceptance of the offering; here the body of the sin offering is burned without the camp (chapter 4:12): hence the offering is identified with the guilt of the offerer.

In verses 8-10 we find that the parts, which in the burnt offering were washed and then burnt on the altar, are here likewise burnt-the excellency and perfections of Christ acceptable to God, even when he “suffered for sins, the just for the unjust that he might bring us to God.” 1 Peter 3:18¹⁸For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: (1 Peter 3:18).

It will be observed that these sacrifices were offered by those whose position before God had been secured for one year by the sacrifice offered on the great day of atonement which had been considered above: they have therefore the aspect of the restoration of one already in relationship with God and not of the bringing of any into relationship. Their teaching is thus more by contrast, and we do not so readily refer to texts showing the typical bearing.

The sacrifice of the red heifer in Numbers 19, is of deep interest.

The blood was sprinkled seven times and the body burned, as in Leviticus 4, 5 and 16 without the camp, and into the burning were cast cedar wood, hyssop and scarlet, expressive of the world (see Galatians 6:14¹⁴But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. (Galatians 6:14)).

The ashes were then preserved, and water added to them as a water of purification to cleanse any who had contracted defilement. See Hebrews 9:13,14¹³For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: ¹⁴How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? (Hebrews 9:13‑14).

The following would appear a brief summary of the teaching we gather from the above chapter.

The Burnt Offering-offered wholly to God for a sweet savor. Christ in death, devoted to the Father’s glory, offering Himself without spot to God.

The Meat Offering-part offered to God for a sweet savor, the remainder eaten by Aaron and his sons. Christ in life, devoted to the glory of the Father whose delight was in His perfection, and also the spiritual food of the believer.

The Peace Offering-part offered to God for a sweet savor, the rest eaten part by the offerer and part by the priests. Christ devoted to the Father’s glory unto death, and also the believer’s appreciation of and communion therewith.

The Sin Offering of the great day of atonement—the blood of one goat sprinkled before and on the mercy seat to make atonement, and the body burned outside the camp—the sins of the people confessed on the head of the other goat and borne away into the wilderness. Christ making atonement to God and bearing our sins in His own body on the tree.

It will be observed that the above is the order in which the laws of the offerings are given: in the application, as in Leviticus 9 and 14, the sin offering comes first.

Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein, which are offered by the law, then said he, Lo, I come to do Thy will, O God. Hebrews 10:8,9⁸Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law; ⁹Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. (Hebrews 10:8‑9).

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