Old Testament - Leviticus 1 and 16 - May 5, 2022

 5/5/2022 – Leviticus 1 & 16

Leviticus 1

This chapter tells the Israelites just how they must prepare for and give their sacrifices to the Lord. The things they are told to do in this preparation are given them to teach them of what Christ will accomplish on this earth. The Bible Dictionary says: “Sacrifices were thus instructive as well as worshipful. They were accompanied by prayer, devotion and dedication and represented an acknowledgment on the part of the individual or his duty toward God, and also a thankfulness to the Lord for his life and blessings upon the earth. Under the law of Moses, sacrifices were varied and complex, and a multitude of rules were given to govern the procedure, in keeping with the general character and purpose of the Mosaic law. Under the law, offerings made to God must be the offeror’s own property….Alter sacrifices were of three kinds: sin offerings, burnt offerings and peace offerings.”  These offerings were teaching them about the purposes of Christ’s coming to the earth, and all the things He would do that would be for the benefit and aid for all of us.  

I was touched as I read this chapter and realized that the Lord was telling the people the proper way to sacrifice…and He gave them instructions for sacrificing cattle, sheep, and birds. This allows His people to learn the laws of sacrifice no matter the amount of their wealth. Because of this EVERYONE could follow the Lord’s commandments to learn of Him.

Leviticus 16

The Lord continues with His instructions that are also given to teach the Israelites about Christ’s Atonement.  He describes a sacred ceremony they are commanded to perform on one day each year: the Day of Atonement (also known as Yom Kippur). On this one day, the high priest offered sacrifice for all the people.  On this day, Aaron, who served as the high priest, was required to change into simple white linen clothing and offer sacrifice for himself before he could enter the tabernacle.

The blood in the sacrifices reminds us of the blood that Christ shed in the Garden of Gethsemane as He took upon himself the sins of all of the Lord’s children who would come to earth. He atoned for all sins, and our part is simple to come unto Him with our sin, and our faith, promising never to do it again…and we are forgiven. 

Aaron was also told that after he sprinkled the blood on the alter, he was to go into the tabernacle and wash himself and put on clean clothing. Could that mean that after asking for help through Christ’s atonement, we are then clean again and ready to have a fresh start….

One of the sacrifices, that they were told to offer, is the scapegoat. The high priest lays his hands upon that goats head and symbolically transfers all of the sins of Israel to the animal. Then the goat is taken out into the wilderness and released where it would never be seen again. 

V 34 “And 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.”

I don’t know if I understand all the things the Lord wanted the Israelites to do in order to overcome their sins. But I do know that when I go to the Lord with any of my problems or worries, I am led to solutions and/or solace. And I know that when I work to stay close to my Father, that my life is smoother and that I am able to withstand and better work with the difficulties that confront me.


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