Sin Offering Thots

One unique thing about the sin offering in Leviticus 4 is that it is the
only offering that non-Levites (non-priest) were commanded to make.
All other offerings were sacrificed by Levites. The sin offering was
one of the non-sweet smelling offerings (after all, sin stinks!) and
was required for `unintentional' sins.

Anyone (or should I say everyone) that became aware of their
unintentional sin was required to make the sin offering.
The `anointed priest' (vs. 3-12), the elders (for sins of the whole
congregation)(vs. 13-21), a ruler (vs. 22-26), and any of the common
people (vs. 27-29). I think this is everyone....

The order of events leading to the sacrifice is basically the same
for each group:

1. Commit unintentional sins (the sin (or knowledge of the sin)
is hidden from the offender).
2. The sin comes to the persons knowledge.
3. Once the sin is brought to knowledge, the offender (or the
elders for the sin of the entire congregation) is to bring his sin
offering.
4. The offender lays hands on the animal. This action symbolizes
identity with the animal and the transfer of the sin from the person
to the animal.
5. Then the offender (not the priest) sacrifices the animal.

Isn't this a great picture of salvation?

Before we are saved, we sin (often unintentionally). The unsaved sin
without realizing it. Usually, there is no right or wrong,
everything is relative. They are not worried about lying or cheating
to get ahead, exaggerating deductions on their income tax return,
living `in sin'. These actions are rationalized: I deserve it, they
had it coming, everyone is doing it, noone is going to know, I'm not
as bad as [fill in the blank]...

When the Word is planted in the sinner, the sinner becomes aware of
the sin (and the fact that he is a sinner). A sacrifice if required
to deal with the sin. Just as the offender in the Old Testament laid
his hand on the animal to signify the transfer of sins from the
sinner to the animal, our sins were transferred onto Jesus as he hung
on the cross. Just as the offender shed the blood of an innocent
animal to pay the penalty for the sin, the blood of Jesus, who was
without sin, was shed to pay - in full- the penalty for our
sins. For "...without shedding of blood is no remission" (Heb. 9:22).

Reminds me also of the woman at the well in John 4. There is no
doubt that she was saved, by her testimony many believed (John
4:39). But did you notice how her `unintentional' sin (of living 'in
sin') was dealt with first? (John 4:17-18)

Thots?

 

Sin has to be addressed -- and the only way to deal with sin, is with blood.

Maybe I've hear too many diluted "gospel" messages.