The Leper and the Portrait of Sin (Leviticus 13; Leviticus 14)

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Click on this link for translations of today’s devotion.

(Additional languages available upon request by emailing HeartofAShepherdInc@gmail.com.)

Scripture reading – Leviticus 13-14

Our study of what the LORD declared “unclean” continues, focusing on poor souls afflicted with leprosy. The ancient scourge of leprosy was the subject of Leviticus 13 and 14.

Known today as “Hansen’s Disease” (HD), leprosy is a bacterial, infectious disease that is treatable, even curable, in the 21st century. In ancient times, however, it was a dreaded disease. The victims of leprosy were forced into isolation from family and friends, and society drove them to leper colonies, where they eventually died. In ancient times, Egypt was infested with leprosy, and its traces followed the children of Israel out of that country.

Leviticus 13

 Laws and Regulations for Leprosy (13:1-59)

The LORD continued His commands regarding the “unclean,” which required Moses and Aaron to address, diagnose, and exclude lepers from the tribes of Israel (Leviticus 13:1-59). To protect His people, the LORD commanded the steps required to protect Israel from the spread of leprosy.

First, the disease needed to be correctly diagnosed. Often beginning as no more than a rash or boil, the disease could eventually produce terrible, open sores and decaying flesh. In the advanced stages, the leper would suffer from rotting extremities. Soiled by the oozing nature of the sores, the leper’s clothes would be rent as an outward sign of mourning. Then, wearing a napkin to cover his mouth, the leper would cry “Unclean, unclean” (13:45) to any who approached, thus warning others they were carriers of the disease.

Leviticus 14

Guidelines for Ceremonial Cleansing of the Leper

Should a leper be miraculously healed of the disease, ceremonial steps and sacrifices were prescribed to ensure the legitimacy of the healing and his purification. Finally, after following the prescribed rites for cleansing, the leper was deemed clean by the high priest and restored to the fellowship of his family and nation (14:9-32).

Spiritual Application

Leprosy was the physical disease God chose to illustrate the infectious nature of sin among his people. For example, consider the number of times leprosy was described as “unclean” in Leviticus 13 (13:3, 8, 11, 14, 15, 20, 22, 25, 27, 30, 36, 44, 45, 46, 51, 55, 59). Like sin, leprosy is more than a surface issue of the outward man. Untreated, leprosy inevitably infects the tissues, nerves, and body until the extremities rot and decay.  The disease so scarred the body of its victim that it was an unbearable ugliness.

Closing thoughts: The ancients had no cure for leprosy, and so the leper prayed earnestly for miraculous healing, a divine intervention. Should the LORD answer his prayers, the leper would be examined by the high priest and if declared “clean,” he would offer sacrifices of thanksgiving (Leviticus 14).

Because of the nature of leprosy, it provided a spiritual portrait of sin’s impact on the soul. Modernists and liberals would have you believe a man is born innocent and his environment (i.e., home, society, religion) is the cause of his societal deprivations. The Scriptures, however, declare “the heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked” (Jeremiah 17:9). Paul likened sin to a physical ailment and wrote, “For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing” (Romans 7:18). Jesus taught His disciples, “For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: 20  These are the thingswhich defile a man”  (Matthew 15:19-20).

Despite man’s efforts, humanity has no cure for sin and depravity. As the leper faced certain death without the LORD intervening, so the sinner faces death and hell if he refuses God’s offer of grace and forgiveness through Christ. In God’s eyes, we are spiritual lepers. Yet, in the words of the prophet Isaiah, “[The Messiah, Jesus Christ]hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. 5  But he [Christ] was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed” (Isaiah 53:4-5).

I invite you to confess that you are a spiritual leper, and believe in your heart that Christ, the perfect, sinless Son of God died on the Cross for your sins, was buried, and raised from the dead. To those who believe, the Scriptures promise:

1 John 5:13 – 13These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

Copyright © 2023 – Travis D. Smith

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From the Heart of a Shepherd, today’s scripture reading is Leviticus 13 and 14.

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Dear Heart of a Shepherd friends,

Thank you for your patience this past week as my wife and I moved into our new home.

Unfortunately, I have been without Internet this week, and unable to publish my daily devotions. Although we are unpacking and settling into our new home, I am hopeful my Internet issues will be resolved tomorrow.

In the absence of my devotional thoughts, I encourage you to continue your Scripture reading in Leviticus, chapters 13 and 14.

With the heart of a shepherd,

Travis D. Smith

Author of Heart of a Shepherd

Today’s scripture reading is Leviticus 12 and 13.

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Dear Heart of a Shepherd, friends,

My wife and I moved to our new home today and are busy unpacking. I am currently without Internet, but I hope to catch up on my devotion schedule tomorrow.

In the absence of my devotion, I encourage you to continue your scripture reading in the book of Leviticus. Today’s scheduled reading is Leviticus 12 and 13.

With the Heart of a Shepherd,

Travis D. Smith

The Aaronic Priesthood: Consecration and Dedication (Leviticus 9)

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Click on this link for translations of today’s devotion.

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Scripture reading – Leviticus 9

The Consecration of the Priesthood on the Eighth Day (9:1-7)

When seven days of consecration were completed (Leviticus 8:33-36), on the eighth day, Moses summoned “Aaron and his sons, and the elders of Israel” (9:2). Aaron, whom the LORD chose to be Israel’s high priest, was commanded by Moses to prepare to offer sacrifices for himself and his sons.

The first sacrifice Aaron offered was “a sin offering, and a ram for a burnt offering, without blemish” (9:2). Before Aaron offered the sacrifices for himself and his sons, Moses commanded “the children of Israel” to take “a kid of the goats for a sin offering; and a calf and a lamb, both of the first year, without blemish, for a burnt offering; 4Also a bullock and a ram for peace offerings, to sacrifice before the Lord; and a meat offering mingled with oil” (9:3-4).

The sacrifices were required for Aaron, his sons, and the people to be in the LORD’s presence (9:4b, 6b). The people, having brought what the LORD required, gathered “before the tabernacle of the congregation: and all the congregation drew near and stood before the Lord” (9:5).

Moses then commanded Aaron, “Go unto the altar, and offer thy sin offering, and thy burnt offering, and make an atonement for thyself, and for the people: and offer the offering of the people, and make an atonement for them; as the Lord commanded” (9:7).

A Sin and Burnt Offering for the Priest (9:8-14)

Why was Aaron commanded to offer a sacrifice for himself and his sons?

With the congregation looking on, Aaron “slew the calf of the sin offering” for himself and his sons who served as priests (9:7). The requirement of a “sin offering” before the congregation left no doubt that Aaron and his sons were like all men, sinners who needed a substitutionary sacrifice for their sin.

Aaron’s sons then brought the blood of the calf to him, “and he dipped his finger in the blood, and put it upon the horns [corners] of the altar, and poured out the blood at the bottom of the altar” (9:9). The choice parts of the calf, “the fat, and the kidneys, and the caul above the liver of the sin offering,” were “burnt upon the altar; as the Lordcommanded Moses” (9:9-10).” Then, the flesh and hide of the “sin offering,” was burned outside Israel’s encampment as required by the Law (Leviticus 4:11-12). Aaron also slew, and offered “a ram for a burnt offering, without blemish” (9:2b, 12-14).

Aaron, Serving as High Priest, Offered Sacrifices for the People (9:15-21)

After he fulfilled the command to offer sacrifices for himself and his sons (9:1-14), Aaron offered four sacrifices for the children of Israel.

Aaron took and slew “the goat, which was the sin offering…and offered it for [the sins]” of the people (9:15). He then offered “the burnt offering” that was “a calf and a lamb, both of the first year, without blemish” (9:3b, 16). The third offering was “the meat [lit. meal or grain] offering,” and it was burned on the altar as a sacrifice of praise and gratitude (9:17) on behalf of the nation.

Finally, as a symbol of communion with the LORD, Aaron “slew also the bullock and the ram for a sacrifice of peace offerings, which was for the people” (9:18a). As with the other sacrifices, “Aaron’s sons presented unto him the blood [of the peace offerings], which he sprinkled upon the altar round about” (9:18b).

Then, as Israel’s high priest, Aaron invoked God’s blessings on the nation and “lifted up his hand toward the people, and blessed them, and came down from offering of the sin offering, and the burnt offering, and peace offerings” (9:22).

Closing thoughts (9:23-24):

After Aaron invoked God’s blessings on the people, he and Moses entered the Tabernacle. When they “came out, and blessed the people…the glory of the Lord appeared unto all the people” (9:23). Then, in a powerful affirmation of all that was done, “there came a fire out from before the Lord, and consumed upon the altar the burnt offering and the fat” (9:24). The people were so moved by what they saw that they “shouted, and fell on their faces” (9:24b).

Questions to Consider:

  • Moses summoned Aaron, his sons, and “the elders of Israel” on the eighth day (Leviticus 9:1). Where had Aaron and his sons been before that day? (Leviticus 8:35-36)
  • If the people obeyed Moses as the LORD commanded, what did he promise they would see? (Leviticus 9:6)
  • Why did Aaron slay the goat? (Leviticus 9:15)
  • How did the LORD demonstrate that He accepted the sin offerings of the people? (Leviticus 9:24)

Copyright © 2023 – Travis D. Smith

* You can subscribe to the Heart of a Shepherd daily devotionals and have them sent directly to your email address. Please enter your email address in the box to the right (if using a computer) or at the bottom (if using a cell phone). You may also email your request to HeartofAShepherdInc@gmail.com

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The Holy Calling of the PastorShepherd (Leviticus 7; Leviticus 8)

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Click on this link for translations of today’s devotion.

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Scripture reading – Leviticus 7-8

Leviticus 7

Our study of the various sin offerings required by the Law continues in Leviticus 7, where we are introduced to “the law of the trespass offering,” a sacrifice identified with an individual’s sin.

The Trespass or Guilt Offerings (7:1-10)

Following similar guidelines as the “burnt offering” (Leviticus 1), the “trespass offering” (also known as the guilt or reparations offering) was sacrificed by an individual whose sins caused others to suffer harm or loss.

Unlike the “burnt offerings,” the priests were permitted to take a portion of the guilt or trespass offerings (7:5-7). Also, the skin or hide of the offering was the priest’s, as were other parts (including the meat or grain offering and oil, 7:8-10).

The Peace Offering (7:11-27)

Leviticus 7:11-21 described the peace offering, which acknowledged God’s grace and offered thanksgiving to Him for His mercies. Because it was a free-will offering, this was the only offering the donor could partake in. Prescribed for the peace offering was the sacrifice of oxen which was accompanied by offerings of “unleavened cakes…unleavened wafers…and cakes mingled with oil, of fine flour, fired” (7:12).  The portions of the peace offering not consumed by the fire were given to the priests for their consumption.

The “fat of the beast” and “blood” portions of the offerings not to be eaten were stated in Leviticus 7:22-27 (the specific parts of the “fat of the beast” that were forbidden were also described in Leviticus 3:3-4, 9). Notice as well that the blood of sacrifices was never to be consumed because it was the means of atonement (17:11). The penalty for consuming that which God had forbidden (the “fat of the beast,” or the “blood”) was egregious, for it meant to “be cut off from” the congregation (7:25, 27).

I will consider in a future study the priests’ share of the peace offering (7:28-38).

Leviticus 8 – The Consecration of the Priesthood

The Public Ordination of Priests (8:1-6)

Leviticus 8 established the Levitical priesthood and consecrated Aaron and his sons to serve before the LORD on behalf of the nation (8:1-5).  Each step of the ordination was detailed, beginning with a ceremonial washing of Aaron and his sons with water (8:6).

The Dedication of the Tabernacle and the High Priest (8:7-12)

As the high priest, Aaron was distinguished by his garments (8:7-9). Exodus 28 and Exodus 39 described the high priest’s garments, including his breastplate (8:8), upon which twelve precious stones were mounted. Referred to as “the breastplate of judgment,” the names of the Twelve Tribes of Israel were engraved on those stones (Exodus 28:30).

As an act of dedication and consecration to the LORD, anointing oil was sprinkled upon the Tabernacle, its implements, the altar, and the laver (where the priests washed their hands and feet). Because he was the high priest, anointing oil was poured upon Aaron’s head and served as an outward testimony of his sanctification (meaning he was set apart for ministry, 8:10-12).

The Sin Offering and Consecration of the High Priest and His Sons (8:13-36)

Acknowledging that the high priest and his sons served as priests and yet were sinners, Aaron and his sons laid their hands upon a “bullock (or Ox) for the sin offering.” The bullock served as a symbol of sin atonement (8:14-17).  A ram was also brought as a “burnt offering,” and its blood was applied to Aaron and his sons “upon the tip of their right ear, and upon the thumbs of their right hands, and upon the great toes of their right feet” (8:23-24).

Aaron and his sons remained at the tabernacle for seven days as Moses offered sacrifices and consecrated those men to the LORD as priests (8:31-36). Then, as we will see, on the eighth day, Aaron and his sons began to minister before the LORD and offered sacrifices for the people (Leviticus 9:1-24).

Closing thoughts:

As I close today’s devotion, I am reminded of the great responsibility borne by those who minister before the LORD for God’s people. Offering sacrifices is no longer necessary because Christ is our substitutionary sacrifice and high priest (Hebrews 7:25-28). Nevertheless, the LORD has called and ordained men whom He has set apart to shepherd His people spiritually (1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:1:7-9).

The pastor’s work as a shepherd is described in 1 Peter 5:2-4, where we read: “Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; 3  Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. 4  And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.”

Such is the great calling of the pastor. He is to be a teacher, shepherd, and spiritual leader in word and example. (1 Timothy 5:11-12)

Questions to Consider:

1) Who could eat some of the trespass (guilt) offerings? (Leviticus 7:6)

2) Where was Moses when God gave him the law concerning the sacrifices to be offered to Him? (Leviticus 7:38)

3) Where were Aaron and his sons ordained to the priesthood? (Leviticus 8:2-4)

4) What was the consequence if Aaron or his sons disobeyed the LORD and abandoned their place of consecration? (Leviticus 8:35)

Copyright © 2023 – Travis D. Smith

* You can subscribe to the Heart of a Shepherd daily devotionals and have them sent directly to your email address. Please enter your email address in the box to the right (if using a computer) or at the bottom (if using a cell phone). You may also email your request to HeartofAShepherdInc@gmail.com

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Mailing Address:
Heart of A Shepherd Inc
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Reparations and Secret Sins (Leviticus 5; Leviticus 6)

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Scripture reading – Leviticus 5-6

Leviticus 5:1-13 – Trespass Offerings

Continuing our study of the sacrificial offerings, we come to the “Trespass Offerings” for particular offences. Referred to by some as “Purification” offerings, three sins required “trespass offerings.”

Three Offenses Required “Trespass Offerings” (5:1-5)

The first was an offering for the sin of omission. For example, a man was judged guilty of “swearing” under oath if he failed to report all he had seen or heard. Failure to bear witness was a sin, and a sacrifice was necessary to atone (5:1).

Understanding dead and decaying animals carry disease, a second offense that obliged a trespass offering was for touching, and thereby being defiled, by a lifeless body of beasts, cattle, or other creatures (5:2). Even if unintentional, a man was deemed guilty of an offense until he offered a trespass offering for his sin (5:3).

Because a man’s word was binding, a third offense was to swear an oath and fail to keep it. Such was a sin and required a trespass offering (5:4-5).

Three Types of “Trespass Offerings” (5:6-13)

Three trespass, or purification offerings, might be offered to atone for a sinner’s guilt (5:6-13). Because the LORD is just, the economic means of the guilty dictated the amount required as the offering. A man of wealth who committed a trespass was to bring “a female from the flock, a lamb or a kid of the goats, for a sin offering; and the priest [would] make an atonement for him concerning his sin” (5:6).

Should a man not have the financial means to offer a lamb or goat, he might offer “two turtledoves, or two young pigeons, unto the Lord; one for a sin offering, and the other for a burnt offering” (5:7). Then, the blood of the sacrifice would be sprinkled on the altar, and declared a “sin offering” (5:9).

Finally, should a man be so poor he was unable to bring the lesser trespass offering (“two turtledoves, or two young pigeons, unto the LORD”), he would “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” (5:11).

Leviticus 5:14-6:7 

Reparation Offerings (5:13-16)

Unlike the trespass offerings, a reparation or compensation offering was mandatory when a man failed to give what the LORD required. An example would be a man’s failure to give “in the holy things of the LORD” (i.e., a tithe or offering of first fruits) as the Law required. To make amends, a sinner was required to offer both “a ram without blemish” (5:14-15) and an additional sacrifice described as “the fifth part” (5:16). Giving a “fifth part” meant that the reparations sacrifice was equal to 120% more than what the Law required.

Ignorance of the Law is No Excuse (5:17-19)

We are reminded that sinning, even if the guilty know “it not, yet is he guilty, and shall bear his iniquity” (5:17). To state the same truth in another form: There are times when saying, “I’m sorry,” is not enough! Though pleading ignorance, the LORD required a trespass offering, and the guilty would “bring a ram without blemish out of the flock [and it would be]…a trespass offering: he hath certainly trespassed against the Lord” (5:18-19).

Leviticus 6

The Law Demands Respect and Decency (6:1-7)

Leviticus 6:1-7 continued the Law’s demand for reparations (which began in Leviticus 5) and addressed offenses that arose with others. Trespass offerings were demanded if a man sinned in lying, committing fraud, perpetrating strong-arm theft, deceived, or violated another’s ownership by claiming: “finders keepers” (6:3). The Law demanded the injured party would be made whole (6:4-5), and a trespass offering be brought to the priest to “make an atonement” (6:6-7).

Leviticus 6:8-30

Guidelines for the “burnt offering” were recorded, as well as the protocol of the priests’ dress when ministering before the LORD and the people (6:8-30). Much more might be discussed in trespass offerings and reparations; however, I will leave this study for another time.

Closing thoughts: What was the LORD teaching His people?

He taught the need to respect, have a sensitive conscience towards fellowmen, and understand one’s accountability before the LORD. After all, as we have been reminded:

There is no such thing as a secret sin!

Questions to Consider:

1) An adage goes, “Silence is golden,” however, that was not true when called upon to serve as a witness. Who was responsible if they witnessed their neighbor’s sin? (Leviticus 5:1)

2) Could ignorance of the law excuse one’s guilt? (Leviticus 5:17-19)

3) What did the Law demand when a person’s actions injured or caused a neighbor to suffer loss? (Leviticus 6:4-7)

Copyright © 2023 – Travis D. Smith

* You can subscribe to the Heart of a Shepherd daily devotionals and have them sent directly to your email address. Please enter your email address in the box to the right (if using a computer) or at the bottom (if using a cell phone). You may also email your request to HeartofAShepherdInc@gmail.com

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Mailing Address:
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You can email HeartofAShepherdInc@gmail.com for more information on this daily devotional ministry.

“We the People” Must Say, ‘Never Again!’”

You are invited to join Hillsdale Baptist Church for our 10:30 AM worship service this Sunday, March 26, 2023. I am continuing my new chronological series through the Bible titled “Logos: A Journey of Faith, Hope, and Love.”  I am currently focusing on the patriarchs of the Book of Genesis, with the subject this week being Jacob and the two sisters he took as his wives. This Sunday’s sermon is titled Leah and Rachel: An “Unhappily Ever After” Story of Love and is taken from Genesis 28:10-30:24.

The following is my bulletin letter for the week titled:

“We the People” Must Say, ‘Never Again!’”

Can you believe this is the last Sunday of March? I am stunned at how fast time passes. For instance, three years have passed since COVID-19 was all the rage, and the world was compelled to “shelter in place.” While “Antifa” and other left-wing groups were encouraged to rally, protest, and riot, American businesses, schools, and churches were shuttered, and many never reopened!

Hillsdale missed Resurrection Sunday 2020 and “stayed in place,” only to learn the pandemic might have been a “Plandemic.” Even today, our nation and world are wrecked by government and corporate guidelines that crippled our nation. Tragically, the paranoia of 2020 lingers in our psyche, as does the growing oppression of our constitutional liberties.

Therefore, I have determined in my heart, “Never Again!” Never again will we trust or believe the messaging of government agencies, the media, corporations, or institutions (that includes schools, churches, and organizations). The radical left is antithetical to our faith and has vested power in every imaginable venue. The socialist-communist left is entrenched in government agencies. Members of the radical left sit in board rooms of medical and pharmaceutical companies and national and international corporations. They dominate the counting of votes and control the messaging of the media and educational institutions.

Lesson: As Bible believers, we should embrace the noble ways of the Berean believers of whom Paul wrote, “they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so” (Acts 17:11). Let us be “Bereans” and question and research everything we are told, without and within the church.

Palm Sunday, Good Friday, and Resurrection Sunday Services

Our children’s, teen’s, and adult choirs will combine next Sunday morning for an exciting choir anthem as we remember our LORD’s triumphant entrance into Jerusalem when He was hailed as King! But, of course, the Friday after, on the day of the Passover, many of those same voices cried for Jesus’ death shouting, “Crucify Him!” Hillsdale’s Fine Arts ministry will present the drama and music of “Calvary’s Mountain” at a “Good Friday Service” (April 7, 7:00 pm). Resurrection Sunday Morning (April 9) will be a triumphant day for celebrating Christ’s resurrection with the Sunrise Service at 8:00 am, followed by a Pancake Breakfast at 9:00 am. Our worship service that day will start at 10:00 am.

With the heart of a shepherd,

Travis D. Smith
Senior Pastor
www.HeartofAShepherd.com
HeartofAShepherdInc@gmail.com

Copyright © 2023 – Travis D. Smith

Sacrifices for Sins of Ignorance (Leviticus 4)

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Scripture reading – Leviticus 4

Our study of sacrifices continues with the sacrifices to be offered for a “sin through ignorance against any of the commandments of the LORD” (4:1). A “sin through ignorance” was not a willful violation of the Law and ordinances of God, but an oversight, unintentional defilement that was nevertheless a sin.

The Sin Offering for the Priest (4:1-12)

Leviticus 4:1-12 examined the sacrifices a priest was instructed to offer when he was guilty of sinning through ignorance. Identifying with the young bull that would be sacrificed for his sin, the priest was asked to bring “a young bullock without blemish unto the Lord for a sin offering” (4:3). At the door of the Tabernacle; the priest would “lay his hand upon the bullock’s head, and kill the bullock before the Lord” (4:4). After anointing himself and the altar with the blood of the sacrifice (4:5-7), the priest would flay the bull and burn the choice parts on the burnt offer (4:8-10), taking the rest outside the camp where it would be burned (4:11-12)

The Sin Offering for the Congregation (4:13-21)

Leviticus 4:13-21 addressed the sacrifices offered for “the whole congregation of Israel “sins through ignorance” (4:13). The “elders of the congregation,” acting on behalf of the people, were instructed to “lay their hands upon the head of the bullock before the Lord: and the bullock [would] be killed before the Lord” (4:15). The handling of the young bull that was sacrificed followed the same guidelines as those noted earlier (4:16-21). Thus, the leaders of Israel identified the slaying of the bull as a sacrifice for the nation’s sins.

The Sin Offering for a Leader (4:22-26)

Should a leader of the people sin “through ignorance against any of the commandments of the Lord his God concerning things which should not be done, and is guilty” (4:22), he was instructed to “bring his offering, a kid of the goats, a male without blemish” (4:23). Placing his hand on the young goat, the leader identified the killing and the burning of the goat as his “sin offering” (4:24). As an atonement for the leader’s sin, the blood of the goat was applied to the “horns” or raised corners of the altar (4:25). The fat was burned upon the altar (4:26), and was “an atonement.” The leader was assured his sin was forgiven (4:26b).

The Sin Offering for Individuals (4:27-35)

Not to be overlooked were the sins of the “common,” ordinary citizens of Israel who, like the priests and leaders, found themselves guilty of “sin through ignorance” (4:27). When such a sin came to one’s knowledge, the “common people” were instructed to “bring [their] offering, a kid of the goats (or a lamb, 4:32), a female without blemish, for his sin which he hath sinned” (4:28). As with other sacrifices, the penitent sinner was instructed to “lay his hand upon the head of the sin offering, and slay the sin offering in the place of the burnt offering” (4:29).

The priest, acting as mediator, would take the blood of the sacrifice, put the blood on the “horns” or the corners of the altar, and then “pour out all the blood thereof at the bottom of the altar” (4:30). Taking the fat of the sacrifice and burning it upon the altar, it was declared a “peace offering…and atonement” for the sinner, whose sin was forgiven (4:31).

Closing thoughts: Why do we no longer offer sacrifices for sins?

Because Jesus Christ is not only our high priest (Hebrews 9:11), but He is our “once and for all” substitutionary sacrifice (Hebrews 9:12, 14). His death on the cross, and His blood, fulfilled the law’s demands for a perfect, sinless sacrifice.

Nevertheless, we are responsible for confessing our sins to God (1 John 1:9) and one another when we have sinned against them (Matthew 5:23-24). We no longer offer “a burnt sacrifice of the herd” (bulls, goats, or sheep) for our sins (Leviticus 1:2-4), for Christ fulfilled the demands of the law. He was the “Lamb of God” (John 1:29), a “male without blemish” (1:3), and was sacrificed for our sins “once for all” (Hebrews 10:10).

Hebrews 9:28 – “So 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.”

Is He your Savior, your sacrifice for sin?

Copyright © 2023 – Travis D. Smith

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Old Testament Sacrifices and What They Teach Us About God’s Character (Leviticus 2; Leviticus 3)

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Scripture reading – Leviticus 2-3

Having introduced the Book of Leviticus in an earlier post, we focus on today’s Scripture reading, Leviticus 2-3. The first sacrificial offering described in Leviticus was the “burnt offering” (1:1-17). It consisted of an animal that was sacrificed for sin, “a male without blemish,” and either a bull (1:5), sheep or goat (1:10), or a turtledove or young pigeon (1:14).

Leviticus 2 – The Law of the “Meat Offering”

The “Meat” (Grain) Offering (2:1-3)

Leviticus 2 introduced the second sacrifice, the “meat offering,” but a better translation would be “meal” or grain offering. “The “meat offering” was a “gift,” a non-blood sacrifice that consisted of raw grain (“fine flour”), oil, and frankincense (2:1). Also known as an oblation, it was a voluntary offering of which the priests would take a portion for their families, and the rest was offered as a burnt offering (2:2-3). The “meat” or, one might say, “vegetable,” non-meat offering was accepted by the LORD as “a thing most holy” (2:3), though a portion supported the priests and their families.

Three Methods of Preparing “Meat (Grain) Offerings” (2:4-11)

The meat (or grain) offering was bread either baked in an oven (2:4), cooked in a pan (2:5-6), or made in a frying pan (2:7). As already stated, a portion was to be used by the priests for their households (2:8-10).

The meat or meal offerings were never offered with leaven (a symbol of sin in the Scriptures) or honey, perhaps because flour baked with honey would spoil and sour (2:11).

Salt and An Oblation (free-will) Offering of Firstfruits (2:12-16)

There was also an “oblation of the firstfruits,” which was a voluntary offering of faith and would “not be burnt on the altar” (2:12).

Notice that salt was to accompany all offerings (2:13). Salt was a valuable commodity for seasoning and preserving food. Therefore, it was to be a part of all offerings. (To understand the value of salt, remember the adage that expresses someone’s value as “worth their weight in salt.” No wonder the LORD referred to believers as the “salt of the earth” Matthew 5:13).

As a sacrifice to the LORD, the firstfruits of the harvest were the first “green ears of corn” or grain and served as a testimony of one’s faith in God’s continued provision (2:12-16).

Leviticus 3 – The Law of the “Peace Offering”

The third offering was a “sacrifice of peace offering” and was a blood offering.  (3:1-16)

Unlike the “burnt offerings,” which required a “male without blemish” (1:3), the “peace offerings” could be male or female (3:1). The standard, however, was “without blemish before the LORD.” The priests would inspect the offerings to ensure they were acceptable sacrifices (3:1, 12).

A man would bring his “peace offering” to the door of the Tabernacle, and laying “his hand upon the head of his offering,” he would “kill it.” The priests would then “sprinkle the blood upon the altar” (3:2). There was the offering of the herd, either a bull or heifer, or the offering of the flock, a lamb (3:6-7), or a goat (3:12). As with the “burnt offering,” the worshipper would “lay his hand upon the head of his offering, and kill it at the door of the tabernacle” (3:2, 8, 13).  The priests then sprinkled the blood of the sacrifice on the altar and burned it on the altar (3:5, 11, 16).

Closing thoughts: “Without blemish” was the LORD’s standard for sacrifices (3:1, 6).

Offerings brought to the LORD were to be of the highest quality. I am sure some were tempted to bring less than their best (even as we might be tempted to do the same). I believe the apostle Paul had the “without blemish” standard in mind when he wrote:

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” (Romans 12:1-2).

The LORD required the best in sacrifices and requires no less of us.  Our lives are to be “holy,” meaning sanctified, set apart, and dedicated to God. Only that which is holy is “acceptable,” pleasing and conforming to His will.

Anything less than your best is unacceptable!

Questions to Consider:

1) How were the priests and their families supported? (Leviticus 2:1-3, 10)

2) What seasoning was always to accompany offerings? (Leviticus 2:13)

3) What was the standard for “burnt offerings” sacrificed for sin? (Leviticus 1:3) How was the “peace offering” different? (Leviticus 3:1)

Copyright © 2023 – Travis D. Smith

* You can subscribe to the Heart of a Shepherd daily devotionals and have them sent directly to your email address. Please enter your email address in the box to the right (if using a computer) or at the bottom (if using a cell phone). You may also email your request to HeartofAShepherdInc@gmail.com

The Internal Revenue Service recognizes Heart of A Shepherd Inc as a 501c3 public charitable organization.

Mailing Address:
Heart of A Shepherd Inc
7853 Gunn Hwy
#131
Tampa, FL 33626-1611

You can email HeartofAShepherdInc@gmail.com for more information on this daily devotional ministry.