Leviticus 4

Leviticus 4:1-12

**e. THE SIN OFFERING 4:15:13

(1)

ITS APPLICATION Leviticus 4:1

(2)

ITS GRADES

(a) FOR THE HIGH PRIEST 4:2-12 TEXT 4:1-12**

1

And Jehovah spake unto Moses, saying,

2

Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If any one shall sin unwittingly, in any of the things which Jehovah hath commanded not to be done, and shall do any one of them:

3

if the anointed priest shall sin so as to bring guilt on the people, then let him offer for his sin, which he hath sinned, a young bullock without blemish unto Jehovah for a sin-offering;

4

And he shall bring the bullock unto the door of the tent of meeting before Jehovah; and he shall lay his hand upon the head of the bullock, and kill the bullock before Jehovah.

5

And the anointed priest shall take of the blood of the bullock, and bring it to the tent of meeting:

6

and the priest shall dip his finger in the blood, and sprinkle of the blood seven times before Jehovah, before the veil of the sanctuary.

7

And the priest shall put of the blood upon the horns of the altar of sweet incense before Jehovah, which is in the tent of meeting; and all the blood of the bullock shall he pour out at the base of the altar of burnt-offering, which is at the door of the tent of meeting.

8

And all the fat of the bullock of the sin-offering he shall take off from it; the fat that covereth the inwards, and all the fat that is upon the inwards,

9

and the two kidneys, and the fat that is upon them, which is by the loins, and the caul upon the liver, with the kidneys, shall he take away,

10

as it is taken off from the ox of the sacrifice of peace-offerings: and the priest shall burn them upon the altar of burnt-offering.

11

And the skin of the bullock, and all its flesh, with its head, and with its legs, and its inwards, and its dung,

12

even the whole bullock shall he carry forth without the camp unto a clean place, where the ashes are poured out, and burn it on wood with fire: where the ashes are poured out shall it be burnt.

THOUGHT QUESTIONS 4:1-12

Just what is involved in an unwitting sin or a sin through error?

Are these sins omissions or overt acts? Cf. Joshua 20:3 and Deuteronomy 19:4 and show how these texts relate here.

Why wouldn-’t we be aware of sin if it was a decision and action for which we are responsible? Cf. Hebrews 5:2.

Who is the anointed priest? Cf. Hebrews 7:27-28.

What significance is there in limiting the sacrifice for the priest to a bullock?

The offering of the priest was to not only help him but the worshippershow?

Why bring the blood to the veil?

What possible meaning is there in placing his finger in the blood?

Why sprinkle the blood seven times? Cf. Hebrews 10:10; 1 Peter 3:18.

What is represented by the horns of the altar?

The priests must leave the holy place to pour out the rest of the blood. Where does he go?

What of the bullock is burned upon the altar? This part of the sacrifice is very much like the peace offeringwhy?

THE SIN OFFERING 4:1-5:13 Grades Of Sin Offerings For Different Persons

The Ritual Of The Sin Offering

The Work Of The Priest

Purpose: Unintentional Specific SinsAtonement

THE GARMENTS OF THE SONS OF AARON Exodus 8:13

Aaron’s Sons or the Priests

Bonnets

Coat

Band

Robe

Drawers (under-garment) (All white fine linen)

What is to happen to: (1) the skin, (2) all the flesh, (3) the head, (4) its legs, (5) intestines, (6) dung?

How would it be decided that a clean place had been found?

PARAPHRASE 4:1-12

Then the Lord gave these further instructions to Moses: Tell the people of Israel that these are the laws concerning anyone who unintentionally breaks any of My commandments. If a priest sins unintentionally, and so brings guilt upon the people, he must offer a young bull without defect as a sin offering to the Lord. He shall bring it to the door of the Tabernacle, and shall lay his hand upon its head and kill it there before Jehovah. Then the priest shall take the animal’s blood into the Tabernacle, and shall dip his finger in the blood and sprinkle it seven times before the Lord in front of the veil that bars the way to the Holy of Holies. Then the priest shall put some of the blood upon the horns of the incense altar before the Lord in the Tabernacle; the remainder of the blood shall be poured out at the base of the altar for burnt offerings, at the entrance to the Tabernacle. Then he shall take all the fat on the entrails, the two kidneys and the loin-fat on them, and the gall bladder, and shall burn them on the altar of burnt offering, just as in the case of a bull or cow sacrificed as a thank-offering. But the remainder of the young bullthe skin, meat, head, legs, internal organs, and intestinesshall be carried to a ceremonially clean place outside the campa place where the ashes are brought from the altarand burned there on a wood fire.

COMMENT 4:1-12

Leviticus 4:1-2 This is the sin offering for sin through ignorance or sin through error. These are not sins of omission, but acts committed by a person when, at the time, he did not suppose that what he did was sin. Although he did the thing deliberately, yet he did not perceive the sin of it. So deceitful is sin, we may be committing that abominable thing which casts angels into an immediate and an eternal hell, and yet at the moment be totally unaware! Want of knowledge of the truth, and too little tenderness of conscience, hide it from us. (Bonar)

The provisions for this offering teach us at least two wonderful lessons: (1) the heinousness of sin. Sin is marked by God whether man marks it or not. Even when a man sins unwittingly God sees it and it must be accounted for. This is wholly in keeping with the character of God. No laws of God are broken in the physical world without the consequent results. How many trees in the primeval forest have broken and crashed to the earth without the ear or eye of any man? God does not and cannot treat sin lightly. Were a scorpion on our brow, prepared to thrust in its deadly sting, when we were unconscious of any danger, surely the friend would deserve thanks who saw the black creature upon us and cried aloud to us to sweep it away. Such is the sin of ignorance; and God, who is -a God of knowledge,-’ is the gracious friend. (Bonar) This leads us to the second lesson: (2) The infinite love and care of our heavenly Father. The same compassionate heart of our great High Priest who tenderly looks upon the ignorant (Hebrews 5:2) is found in the provision under the economy of Moses for poor ignorant sinners.

Leviticus 4:3-4 We need to mention here that the sweet savor offerings are now past and we now approach those wholly identified with sin. They are two in number: (1) the sin offerings, and (2) the trespass offerings. The sin offering has four grades or applications: (1) For the individual (Leviticus 5:6-9); (2) for the ruler (Leviticus 4:22-26); (3) for the congregation (Leviticus 4:13-21); (4) for the priest (Leviticus 4:3-12). Verses one through twelve discuss the sin offering for the priest (including the high priest). All three grades involve three areas: (1) God’s dwelling among the people in the tabernacle; (2) the worship or approach of the people to God; (3) the conscience of each individual before God. Blood is the answer to the need in each area: (1) the blood was sprinkled seven times by the priest before the Lord upon or in front of the veil of the sanctuary. This obtained or secured the presence of God in the midst of His people, i.e. God could and did because of the blood dwell among them; (2) the blood upon the horns of the golden altar. The foundation of all worship is bloodthe flame and the incense could because of the blood ascend before God; (3) the remaining portion is poured out at the base of the brazen altar. Here the claims of the individual conscience were met at the altar of burnt offering. The burnt offering is the death of our Lord in our place. Each individual is represented and satisfied in the One who died for all. In the pursuit of his priestly functions the high priest has been deficient in wisdom and has made a mistake in the order of service, or he has in some manner defiled some of the holy vessels. In this he has left the sanctuary door open to Satan. Since he represents all the congregation he also involves them in his unwitting sin. He needs for these reasons to offer a sin offering for himself. At the same time people soon learn to sympathize with him and pray for him since he is one with them in his need of forgiveness. The young bull to be brought for a sacrifice is the same as the sin offering to be made for the whole congregation (except that the priest offers a male without blemish and the congregation has a female without blemish.) The most expensive of all offerings are here made. It costs much to obtain our standing before God.

Leviticus 4:5-6 Why sprinkle the blood seven times? Seven throughout the scripture is a sign or symbol of completeness or perfection. It was only on the great day of atonement that the blood was taken within the veil to be sprinkled upon and before the ark of the covenant. As sin is first of all against God it is appropriate that the first use of the blood is concerned with His satisfaction. It might intimate that atonement was yet to rend the veil, and that the beautiful veil represented the Saviour’s holy humanity (Hebrews 10:20). How expressive was the continual repetition of this blood-sprinkling. As often as the priest offered a sin-offering the veil was wet again with blood which dropped on the floor of the holy place. It was through the veil, that is to say His flesh, the way was opened for usbut it was a body already drenched in The sweat of bloodshed in Gethsemane before it was broken or opened on Calvary.

Leviticus 4:7 Let’s attempt to enter with the priest into the holy place and stand in the flickering light of the golden candlestick and gaze solemnly seven times intermittently at the blood and at the scarlet and blue woven design of the cherubim on the veilthe blood has been placed either before or on the veil. When the anointed priest was thus engaged, was he not a type of Jesus in the act of expiating His people’s guilt? A true high priest probably knelt and then prostrating himself on the ground, as he sprinkled the blood before the veil; and it would be with many tears, and strong crying from the depth of his soul, that he touched the altar’s horns. What a picture of our Saviour in the garden, when He fell on His face, and being in agony, prayed more earnestly, and offered up supplications, with strong crying and tears, to Him that was able to save Him from death (Hebrews 5:7). Although, in this case, the priest’s sense of guilt was personal, and therefore was deep and piercing, yet when Jesus took our sins, He too felt them deeply, and felt them as if they had been His own.

At length the priest comes from the Holy Placeleaving it, however, filled with the cry of blooda cry for pardon!and proceeds to the altar of burnt-offering, directly opposite the door. There he pours out the rest of the blood, at the foot of the altar, his eye looking straight at the Holy Place. Within and without the Holy Place, the voice of atonement was now heard ascending from blood. What a sermon was thus preached to the people! Atonement is the essence of itatonement needed for even unwitting sins of ignorance. There is no trifling with God. What a ransom for the soul is given! Lifelifethe life of the Seed of the woman. What care to present itwhat earnestness! The Holy Place is filled with its cry, and the courts without also; and the priest’s soul is intently engaged in this one awful matter.

Leviticus 4:8-10 The regulations in these verses concerning the fat and its offering upon the altar to Jehovah are identical to those for the fat of the peace offering. It would seem to say that once the blood has been shed and applied there is peace.

The leading object in the sin offering is to shadow forth what Christ became for us, and not what He was in Himself. This quality however is not entirely omitted, as we have observed earlier. In the fat burnt upon the altar is the apt expression of the divine appreciation of the preciousness of Christ’s Person, no matter what place He might, in perfect grace, take, on our behalf, or in our stead. He was made sin for us, and the sin offering is a divinely-appointed shadow of Him in this respect. But, inasmuch as it was the Lord Jesus Christ, God’s elect, His Holy One, His pure, His spotless, His eternal Son that was made sin, therefore the fat of the sin offering was burnt upon the altar, as a proper material for that fire which was an impressive exhibition of divine holiness. (C. H. MacKintosh)

Leviticus 4:11-12 We come now to, in one way, the most impressive portion of the ritual for the sin offering. We are using a rather large bibliography in our research for this study. We have what we consider some original observationsbut we make no apology for composite expressions or direct quotations. For these verses the words of Andrew Bonar are beautiful: But that the priest, and all present, might go home with an awful conviction of the heinousness even of forgiven sin, other things remained to be done. We are not to forget sin, because it has been atoned for; and we are not to think lightly of sin, because it is washed away. Our God wishes His people to retain a deep and lively sense of their guilt, even when forgiven. Hence the concluding ceremonies in the case of the priest’s sin.

The very skin of the bullock is to be burnt (here the word is -burn up-’)thus expressing more complete destruction than even in the case of the whole burnt-offering. Here is the holy law exacting the last mite; for the skin is taken, and the whole flesh, the head and legs (Leviticus 1:8), the intestines, and the very dung-’even the whole bullock!-’ Unsparing justice, that is, unspotted justice! And yet more. As if the altar were too near God’s presence to express fully that part of the sinner’s desert which consists in suffering torment far off from God, all this is to be done *-without the camp-’*a distance, it is calculated, of four miles from the Holy Place. In all sacrifices, indeed, this separation from God is represented in some degree by the ashes being carried away out of the camp; but, to call attention still more to this special truth, we are here shewn the bullock burnt on the wood, -without the camp, where the ashes were wont to be poured out.-’ It was over the very ashes that lay poured out there; for, in the last clause of the verse, the preposition on is used. -The clean place-’ is defined to be this place of ashes. It was clean, because, when reduced to ashes by consuming fire, all guilt was away from the victim, as intimated in Psalms 20:3, -Let Him turn thy burnt-sacrifice to ashes-’ (on), the word used here also.

At this part of the ceremonies, there was meant to be exhibited a type of hell. This burning afar off, away from the Holy Place, yet seen by the whole congregation, was a terrible glance at that truth-‘They shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb; and the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever-’ (Revelation 14:10).

It is plain, also, that God took the opportunity which this offering afforded, or rather shaped this part of the rites belonging to the offering, in order to show somewhat more of Christ’s death. In every sacrifice which was of a public nature, or for a public person, the animal was carried without the camp, as we may see in chapter Leviticus 16:27, on the day of atonement. The reason of this was that, in these cases, Christ’s public sacrifice, as offered to the whole world, and to every creature, and as fulfilling the law’s demands to the last mite, was to be especially prefigured. It is carried -without the camp,-’ as Jesus was crucified outside of the gates of Jerusalem (Hebrews 13:12), that it might be in sight of all the camp, as Christ’s one offering is held up to all the world, to be used by whosoever will. Next, suffering far off from the Holy Place, with His Father’s face hidden, and all the fire of wrath in His soul and on His body, Jesus further fulfilled this type in regard to the entire satisfaction demanded by the law. And, inasmuch as He suffered at Jerusalem, where the ashes of the sacrifices were poured out, He may be said to have fulfilled the type of the -clean place.-’ For we see Him over these remnants of typical sacrifice, offering up the one true and perfect offering. But it was Calvary that was specially a -place of ashes,-’ inasmuch as there the demands of justice were wont to be satisfied, and the bones of victims to human law cast out. Joseph’s new tomb, hewn out of the very rock of Calvary, is the exact counterpart to the -clean place,-’ at the very spot where the ashes of so many dead men were to be found all around.

What view of hell does the suffering Saviour give! The face-covering between Him and His Fatherthe criminal’s veil hung over Him for three hours, the three hours of darknessaway from the Holy Placedriven from the mercy seat, beyond the bounds of the holy cityan outcast, a forsaken soul, a spectacle to all that passed bywrath to the uttermost within, and His person, even to the eye of man, more marred than any man, while His cry, -My God! my God! why hast thou forsaken me?-’ ascended up as the smoke of the sacrifice, to heaven, shewing the heat of the unutterable agony, and testifying the unswerving exactness of the holy law. What a contrast to His coming again without sin, and entering Jerusalem again with the voice of the archangel, in all His glory, bringing with Him those whom He redeemed by that death on Calvary!

In one respect His people are to imitate the view of Him shewn in this type. As He went forth to witness for God’s holy lawwent forth without the gate, a spectacle to all the earth; so they, redeemed by Him, are to go forth to witness of that death and redemption which He has accomplished (Hebrews 13:12). We are to -go forth unto Him;-’ we are to be constantly, as it were, viewing that spectacle of united love and justice, looking to His cross; though in so doing we make ourselves objects of amazement and contempt to the world, who condemn those whom they see going forth to stand by the side of the Crucified One.

FACT QUESTIONS 4:1-12

Is the sin offering for sins of omission? Explain.

The provisions for this offering teaches us two wonderful lessons. What are they?

What are the sweet savor offerings? How does this offering compare?

List the four grades or applications for the sin offering.

All these grades involve three areas. Name them.

Show how the blood answers the needs of each area.

Describe the similarity between a true high priest and our High Priest as they each intercede before God.

What is the cry from both within and without the Holy Place?

What indicates that there is no trifling with the law of God?

How does the offering of the fat upon the altar link this offering with the peace offering?

How is the deep and lively sense of guilt kept alive?

What lesson is found in burning the skin and flesh of the bullock?

Why take the remains of the animal at such a distance from the altar?

Show how Hebrews 13:12 applies to Leviticus 4:12-13 of Leviticus 4:1-35.

How does Joseph’s new tomb fit the type?

How precious is the death of our Lord in our place. How wonderful that he should taste of death (the second death) for every man (Hebrews 2:9). Show how this truth is pictured here.

Leviticus 4:13-21

2. THE SIN OFFERING FOR THE CONGREGATION 4:13-21 TEXT 4:13-21

13

And if the whole congregation of Israel err, and the thing be hid from the eyes of the assembly, and they have done any of the things which Jehovah hath commanded not to be done, and are guilty;

14

when the sin wherein they have sinned is known, then the assembly shall offer a young bullock for a sin-offering, and bring it before the tent of meeting.

15

And the elders of the congregation shall lay their hands upon the head of the bullock before Jehovah; and the bullock shall be killed before Jehovah.

16

And the anointed priest shall bring of the blood of the bullock to the tent of meeting:

17

and the priest shall dip his finger in the blood, and sprinkle it seven times before Jehovah, before the veil.

18

And he shall put of the blood upon the horns of the altar which is before Jehovah, that is in the tent of meeting; and all the blood shall he pour out at the base of the altar of burnt-offering, which is at the door of the tent of meeting.

19

And all the fat thereof shall he take off from it, and burn it upon the altar.

20

Thus shall he do with the bullock; as he did with the bullock of the sin-offering, so shall he do with this; and the priest shall make atonement for them, and they shall be forgiven.

21

And he shall carry forth the bullock without the camp, and burn it as he burned the first bullock: it is the sin-offering for the assembly.

THOUGHT QUESTIONS 4:13-21

Please try to approximate the circumstances in which the whole congregation could sin through ignorance.

Can you cite a biblical example of such a sin?

Why does God consider them guilty even if they do not know they are sinning?

Why are both the sacrifice of the priest and of the whole congregation a young bullock?

In what way are the elders of the congregation involved in this sacrifice? Why?

The ceremony of the application of the blood is the same as with the priest except the promise is made of forgiveness and atonement. Are we not told in the New Testament that such sacrifices could not forgive or make atonement? Explain.

Doesn-’t it appear strange that after the declaration of forgiveness is made the sacrifice must yet be removed and burned?

PARAPHRASE 4:13-21

If the entire nation of Israel sins without realizing it, and does something that Jehovah has said not to do, all the people are guilty. When they realize it, they shall offer a young bull for a sin offering, bringing it to the Tabernacle where the leaders of the nation shall lay their hands upon the animal’s head and kill it before the Lord. Then the priest shall bring its blood into the Tabernacle, and shall dip his finger in the blood and sprinkle it seven times before the Lord, in front of the veil. Then he shall put blood upon the horns of the altar there in the Tabernacle before the Lord, and all the remainder of the blood shall be poured out at the base of the burnt offering altar, at the entrance to the Tabernacle. All the fat shall be removed and burned upon the altar. He shall follow the same procedure as for a sin offering; in this way the priest shall make atonement for the nation, and everyone will be forgiven. The priest shall then cart the young bull outside the camp and burn it there, just as though it were a sin offering for an individual, only this time it is a sin offering for the entire nation.

COMMENT 4:13-21

Leviticus 4:13 If we pause and give thought we can recall examples of congregational sin in which it would indeed appear that the majority if not all the people were unaware of the enormity of their sin. Remember the golden calf? or the response of the nation to the report of the twelve spies? Read Hosea 4:6-9 for a commentary on the mutual guilt of people and priest (but most especially the people). People do sin because their teachers fail to teach them. On the other hand so many have failed to make use of the knowledge they have received. The congregation knew in the days of Saul and Samuel that they should not eat of an animal before the blood was drained from it; but out of desperate hunger they fell upon animals and ate them in violation of the law (Cf. 1 Samuel 14:33). Somehow the word and law of God slipped from their hearts. What a lesson we see in this for today. We need to give constant heed to the word lest we allow it to slip from our consciousness and we become involved with others in the sin (indeed, we believe such a sin is now being practiced even as in the days of the writer of Heb 2:1-3).

Shall we consider a little more deeply the nature of this sin as it relates to so many of us today? How is it that we cherish almost unaware some idol to the lust of the flesh?the lust of the eye?or the pride of life? We know it is wrong subconsciously but we are unwilling until rebuked, to bring such a practice into conscious guilt before God. How is it that James and John could be so obviously vindictive when they had been taught otherwise? (Cf. Luke 9:55) How easy it is to substitute our own selfishness for His will in our life. Is busy-ness for God equal to fellowship with God? If we give our body to be burned but do it without love we have sinned out of ignorance. We are unwitting but responsible. He may contrive to retain the look of greenness when the sap is gone. Even a whole community of believers may be pervaded by some such sin.. These secret sins may be keeping God from blessing the whole people, though He blesses individuals. Somewhere amid these sources is to be found the origin of much inefficiency and unprofitableness. Ai cannot be taken because of the accursed thing in the camp. The mariners cannot make out the voyage to Tarshish with Jonah on board. (Bonar)

Leviticus 4:14 The largest and most costly of sacrifices is provided for both the high priest and the congregation. The high priest represents the whole assembly and each one is represented in the bullock offered for him; as they are represented in the one for themselves. How costly and large was the propitiation God provided for our sins and the sins of the whole world (1 John 2:2).

Leviticus 4:15 The elders-’ activity on behalf of the people transferred the guilt of each one to the head of the victim. We remember in almost disbelief that it was the elders of the people of Israel who laid hands upon our Lord and put Him to death. We hear them cry on behalf of all the nation of Israel His blood be upon usas indeed it wasin guilt, and in forgiveness! What amazing love and wisdom that in the same act sin and forgiveness could be joined!

Leviticus 4:16-20 The ritual here is identical to that we have already considered in Leviticus 4:3-12. The only variation is in Leviticus 4:20 where atonement and forgiveness are promised. Such an expression here is equal to what is said in Leviticus 4:10 concerning the sacrifice of peace offerings. Peace and confidence in God’s provision is a necessary part of the response of the worshipper. Two important aspects of our Savior’s sacrifice for us are missing in the sin offering: (1) the heavenly love seen in the condescension of the One who was made sin for us is missing, thus the deepest motivations for praise and thanksgiving are lost; (2) the need to repeat again and again the same sacrifice indicates the inadequacy of the sacrifice (not the forgiveness).

Leviticus 4:21 Imagine the scene oft repeated in the camp of Israel: the congregation assembles for observance of a ceremony in which they are a very real part: the bullock before the tabernaclethe hands of the elders upon its head. They watch as its blood is shed and caught in a bowl to be taken into the holy place. Presently the priest emerges from the door of the tabernacle to walk to the altar of burnt offerings. The blood is thrown at the base of the altarthe fat is burned upon the fire. Then there is a long walk to a clean place. Thus even when peace, forgiveness and atonement has been made there is yet the cry, O wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from the body of this death? Only the forgiven man can catch a true glimpse of the horror of sin. We need to be often led out to that place without the camp and see again the One who suffered there for us (Hebrews 13:11-12).

FACT QUESTIONS 4:13-21

Give two examples of congregation sinning in which the whole assembly was involved in inadvertent sin.

How are priest and people both involved in sin?

How does 1 Samuel 14:33 illustrate this sin?

How does Hebrews 2:1-3 relate this sin to us?

Church members today share the guilt of James and John of Luk 9:55. Discuss.

Whole community of believers are hindered by such secret sinshow?

Why was the most costly of animals offered in the sacrifice for the high priest and for the people?

What a beautiful comparison is made in the action of the elders in relation to the sacrificewhat was it?

What is the one difference in the ritual of Lev 4:16-20 with Leviticus 4:3-12? Why?

Two important aspects of our Saviour’s sacrifice for us are missing in the sin offering. What are they?

Please read with personal involvement the comment on Leviticus 4:21. Express in your own words what Hebrews 13:11-12 means to you as related to this text.

Leviticus 4:22-26

3. THE SIN OFFERING FOR THE RULER 4:22-26 TEXT 4:22-26

22

When a ruler sinneth, and doeth unwittingly any one of all the things which Jehovah his God hath commanded not to be done, and is guilty;

23

if his sin, wherein he hath sinned, be made known to him he shall bring for his oblation a goat, a male without blemish.

24

And he shall lay his hand upon the head of the goat, and kill it in the place where they kill the burnt-offering before Jehovah: it is a sin-offering.

25

And the priest shall take of the blood of the sin-offering with his finger, and put it upon the horns of the altar of burnt-offering; and the blood thereof shall he pour out at the base of the altar of burnt-offering.

26

And all the fat thereof shall he burn upon the altar, as the fat of the sacrifice of peace-offerings; and the priest shall make atonement for him as concerning his sin, and he shall be forgiven.

THOUGHT QUESTIONS 4:22-26

How does a ruler differ from an elder?

What is implied in the expression known to him in Leviticus 4:23?

Is there any significance in the choice of a goat for the ruler’s victim?

What was the particular place for the slaying of all the sacrifices? In what sense was it before the Lord?

Why place the blood on the horns of the altar of burnt offering? Horns were symbolic of what?

Peace was effected at what time and by what act?

PARAPHRASE 4:22-26

If one of the leaders sins without realizing it and is guilty of disobeying one of God’s laws, as soon as it is called to his attention he must bring as his sacrifice a billy goat without any physical defect. He shall lay his hand upon its head and kill it at the place where the burnt offerings are killed, and present it to the Lord. This is his sin offering. Then the priest shall take some of the blood of this sin offering and place it with his finger upon the horns of the altar of burnt offerings, and the rest of the blood shall be poured out at the base of the altar. All the fat shall be burned upon the altar, just as if it were the fat of the sacrifice of a thank-offering; thus the priest shall make atonement for the leader concerning his sin, and he shall be forgiven.

COMMENT 4:22-26

Leviticus 4:22-23 There was once a ruler who sinned and did not know it, He took the wife of Isaac. The ruler’s name was Abimelech. This also happened to Pharaoh, ruler of all Egypt (Cf. Genesis 12:10-20; Genesis 20:3-17). In each case their guilt was made known to them through suffering. They were only forgiven when appeal was made through God’s priest and prophet.

We need to consider these men as civil magistrates, but not separated from worship and the laws of God since Moses and Israel lived in a theocracy. Read Numbers chapter seven for a description of such rulers. Cf. Proverbs 29:12.

The Lord is described here as in a very personal sense in relation to the ruler, i.e. his God. We like this thought, for when a ruler of God’s people sustains a personal relationship with God he can influence the people to do the same. The converse is also true. Is not this the major sin of our nation? There are many who acknowledge God but so very few who own a personal relationship with Him.

The choice of a male goat teaches us that God does weigh the effects of sin. The sin of the high priest or the sin of the whole assembly calls for a bullock and blood in the holy place and on the horns of the golden altar. A ruler’s sin is among the peopleoutside so to speak, his forgiveness must also be among or before the people. In a very real sense he has become the goat for all the people. Thank God he has (and we all have) One who became the goat for him.

Leviticus 4:24-25 Horns have always been a symbol of strength or power. Upon the four horns of the altar of burnt offering must be smeared the blood for the sin offering of the ruler. The cry of the blood on the four hornsthe strong cry, based on all prevailing atonement within the sight and hearing of all was forgiveness provided for the ruler. His sin affected allall should know of his forgiveness. We do not know why he must use the altar of burnt offering instead of the altar of incense, but we have conjectured a possibility.

Leviticus 4:26 It would seem from the use of the term sin that perhaps the ruler was involved in some particular sinat least he should be made aware that God does not ignore those we ignore.

FACT QUESTIONS 4:22-26

There were two rulers who sinned and needed forgiveness through God’s priest and prophet. Who were they?

What is meant in the use of the expression his God as applied to the ruler? How does this relate to our nation?

What does the choice of a male goat for a sacrifice teach us as to the weight of the effects of sin?

Why put the blood on the horns of the altar? What is symbolized? Why use the altar of burnt offering?

Leviticus 4:27-35

4. THE SIN OFFERING FOR INDIVIDUALS 4:27-35 TEXT 4:27-35

27

And if any one of the common people sin unwittingly, in doing any of the things which Jehovah hath commanded not to be done, and be guilty;

28

if his sin, which he hath sinned, be made known to him, then he shall bring for his oblation a goat, a female without blemish, for his sin which he hath sinned.

29

And he shall lay his hand upon the head of the sin-offering, and kill the sin-offering in the place of burnt-offering.

30

And the priest shall take of the blood thereof with his finger, and put it upon the horns of the altar of burnt-offering; and all the blood thereof shall he pour out at the base of the altar.

31

And all the fat thereof shall he take away, as the fat is taken away from the sacrifice of peace-offerings; and the priest shall burn it upon the altar for a sweet savor unto Jehovah; and the priest shall make atonement for him, and he shall be forgiven.

32

And if he bring a lamb as his oblation for a sin-offering, he shall bring it a female without blemish.

33

And he shall lay his hand upon the head of the sin-offering, and kill it for a sin-offering in the place where they kill the burnt-offering.

34

And the priest shall take of the blood of the sin-offering with his finger, and put it upon the horns of the altar of burnt- offering; and all the blood thereof shall he pour out at the base of the altar.

And all the fat thereof shall he take away, as the fat of the lamb is taken away from the sacrifice of peace-offerings; and the priest shall burn them on the altar, upon the offerings of Jehovah made by fire; and the priest shall make atonement for him as touching his sin that he hath sinned, and he shall be forgiven.

THOUGHT QUESTIONS 4:27-35

Is there a question about the guilt of the individual? What is meant by the word if in Leviticus 4:27?

Why a female, since Christ is typified by these offerings?

No sin is trifling and no sinner is ignored, but there is hope in this fact. Where?

This offering is called a sweet savor unto the Lord. When and why?

What is the meaning of the expression in Leviticus 4:35 of according to the offerings made by fire ?

PARAPHRASE 4:27-35

If any one of the common people sins and doesn-’t realize it, he is guilty. But as soon as he does realize it, he is to bring as his sacrifice a nanny goat without defect to atone for his sin. He shall bring it to the place where the animals for burnt offerings are killed, and there lay his hand upon the head of the sin offering and kill it. And the priest shall take some of the blood with his finger and smear it upon the horns of the burnt offering altar. Then the priest shall pour out the remainder of the blood at the base of the altar. All the fat shall be taken off, just as in the procedure for the thank-offering sacrifice, and the priest shall burn it upon the altar; and the Lord will appreciate it. Thus the priest shall make atonement for that man, and he shall be forgiven. However, if he chooses to bring a lamb as his sin offering, it must be a female without physical defect. He shall bring it to the place where the burnt offerings are killed, and lay his hand upon its head and kill it there as a sin offering. The priest shall take some of the blood with his finger and smear it upon the horns of the burnt offering altar, and all the rest of the blood shall be poured out at the base of the altar. The fat shall be used just as in the case of a thank-offering lambthe priest shall burn the fat on the altar as in any other sacrifice made to Jehovah by fire; and the priest shall make atonement for the man, and his sin shall be forgiven.

COMMENT 4:27-35

Leviticus 4:27-28 No one is excluded from God’s love and grace, and no one is exempt from the penalty of sin. There would seem to be two ways a poor man or a common man would know of his sin: (1) he would be reminded by his own consciencehow often do we fall into the habit of negligence until a commandment of our God comes to mind and we are reminded of our lack and sin; (2) Someone could bring his sin to his attentionwe take the little expression come to his knowledge to be information brought to him by someone else. We like the thought that in the female goat or lamb we have the passive nature of our Lord represented. The male animal characterizing His active, volitional choicesthe female His perfect submissiveness to the Father’s will. Someone has suggested that the female animals were used to indicate to the women of Zion that they were not forgotten, or that they too were represented in the offerings.

Leviticus 4:29-31 The expression for a sweet savor unto the Lord is reserved for the sacrifice of the common man. We are sure that the other sin sacrifices were also a sweet savor after the fat was burned. The sin offering itself was not for this purpose, but the peace-offering portion or the fat became the sweet savor unto God. Atonement or forgiveness was the major point or the distinctive message of the sin offering.

The hands of the worshipper were on the head of the animal for this purpose. The blood was on the horns of the altar of burnt offering with this intentionthe largest quantity of blood was poured out at the base of the altar for this reason. Somewhat in contrast: the fat upon the altar was a sweet and satisfying fragrance to the Lord. Could we say that once atonement or forgiveness was made it became as represented in the Lord’s portion or the fat a sweet savor unto God?

Leviticus 4:32-34 How glad we are for all of God’s alternates! There are always circumstances (most of them of our own making) that seem to prevent us from being able to fulfill this requirement or thatbut God has another way which will also accomplish His will in our lives. If you do not have a goat you can also bring a lamb (and we shall learn later that even a handful of flour for a sin offering is acceptable if it is given out of the right attitude). The same actions are taken in each offering. They need not become monotonousour sins are many and often each is in need of forgiveness and each is in every sacrifice.

Leviticus 4:35 The expression, -according to the offerings made by fire-’ should be -in addition to-’ the daily sacrifices, morning and evening*-‘upon* the offerings,-’ i.e. over the very remnants of the daily sacrifices. It is exactly like Leviticus 3:5. We are there taught that particular sins must be cast upon the one great atonement; and the cases that occur in this chapter of special guilt are just specific applications of the great truth taught in the daily sacrifices.

Israel was taught that their different offerings were all of one nature in the main with the general burnt offering; one Saviour only was prefigured, and one atonement. These sin-offerings, presented -upon the daily sacrifices,-’ resemble tributary streams pouring in their waters into one great ocean. -Christ once for all suffered for sins, the Just for the unjust, to bring us unto God.-’ (1 Peter 3:18) O how anxious is our God to purge us from every stain! The priest’s hyssop is introduced into every corner of the building that we may be altogether pure. Well may we join the seraphim in their song, -Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts.-’ (Bonar)

FACT QUESTIONS 4:27-35

No one is excluded either from grace or forgiveness. Show how this is typified.

What are the two ways a poor man would know of his sin?

How do we relate to these two thoughts?

Why a female goat or lamb? (Two possible answers.)

Show the meaning of: a sweet savor unto the Lord. When did it become such?

Why were the hands of the worshipper upon the head of the animal?

How glad we are for God’s alternateswhat are they here?

The actions taken in offering the sacrifices need not become monotonoushow avoided?

What is meant by the expression, according to the offerings made by fire?

How do daily sacrifices and specific sacrifices relate? How does this apply to us?

4. SPECIAL APPLICATIONS OF SIN OFFERINGS

(a)

THREE SPECIFIC SINS

(1)

THE WITNESS WHO REFUSED TO TESTIFY (Leviticus 5:1)

(2)

ACCIDENTAL CEREMONIAL DEFILEMENT (Leviticus 5:2-3)

(3)

IDLE SWEARING (Leviticus 5:4)

(b)

SPECIFIC OFFERINGS PRESCRIBED IN SUCH CASES

(1)

FEMALE SHEEP OR GOAT (Leviticus 5:6)

(2)

Two TURTLEDOVES OR TWO YOUNG PIGEONS (Leviticus 5:7)

(3)

THE TENTH PART OF AN EPHAH OF FINE FLOUR (Leviticus 5:11-13)