THE REASONS AND MEANINGS OF THE SACRIFICES IN THE BOOK OF LEVITICUS

This short study will examine the meaning of the five sacrifices in the Book of Leviticus. They all pointed to Yeshua and have deep spiritual meaning. It is good for each of us to understand these sacrifices and how they apply to our walk with Yeshua in this day.

 

 

THE TRESPASS OR INTENTIONAL BREAKING OF THE LAW: MAH-AHL

 

 

In Leviticus 6.1-7 it reads:Lev. 6:2 If a soul sins, and commits a trespass against Yahveh, and lies to his neighbor in that which was delivered him to keep, or in fellowship, or in a thing taken away by violence, or has deceived his neighbor;

Lev. 6:3 Or found that which was lost, and lies concerning it, and swears falsely; in any of all these that a man does, sinning therein:

Lev. 6:4 Then it shall be, because he has sinned, and is guilty, that he shall restore that which he took violently away, or the thing which he has deceitfully gotten, or that which was delivered him to keep, or the lost thing which he found,

Lev. 6:5 Or all that about which he has 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 pertains, in the day of his trespass offering.

Lev. 6:6 And he shall bring his Trespass Offering unto Yahveh, a ram without blemish out of the flock, with your estimation, for a Trespass Offering, unto the priest:

Lev. 6:7 And the priest shall make an atonement for him before Yahveh: and it shall be forgiven him for any thing of all that he has done in trespassing therein.

Verse 2: This concept of trespass (mah-ahl), is one of intentional fraud. The literal meaning is, “to defraud, to deceive, to lie, to rob.” This is premeditated, the person knows if he does this it is sin. He is being unfaithful to God first, then to the one he/she is defrauding.

Verse 5: The person committing this sin is told to restore what he took, plus 20%. He is then instructed to get right with Yeshua by confessing his sin and providing the sacrifice. Jesus said, “Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.” Matt 5.23-24

This instructs us to restore what one has taken and then ask God for forgiveness in Yeshua’s name.

Verses 6 and 7: The offender brings a ram without blemish (only the best for Yehovah). The sinner is covered by restoring what was taken and the blood of the sacrifice.

The sinner is forgiven as only God can neutralize the sin through a blood sacrifice. It costs the sinner the very valuable life of the animal sacrificed--and 20% restoration. The sinner is cleansed by the blood, the priest forgives the act in the name of Yehovah, the parties are reconciled, and the guilt is removed.

This priciple of coming to God, through the blood of Yeshua, and confessing our sin to Him, is how we process this today. In 1 John 1.5 thru 2.2 we see how intentional and unintentional sins are dealt with:

This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.  But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. 
 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.

 My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.  And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.

 

Tomorrow: The Whole Burnt Offering or Holocaust Sacrifice