Class 03 - The sin and trespass offerings

The Study of Leviticus

Class 3

The Sin offering and the Trespass offering

Leviticus - Chap. 4The sin offering

The sin offering The burnt offering was a sacrifice for sin (because

of the sin nature), but this offering was for the atonement of committed sins.

There were four variations of this offering: For the priest For the congregation For the prince For the common people


Depending on the position occupied by the worshiper, his sin could be more or less serious.

It was not an offering of a sweet smelling aroma, and for this offering the animal had to be burned outside of the camp, representing God’s displeasure with sin.


The sin offering symbolizes Christ bearing the sin of the sinner, not as in the case of a sweet smelling savor, where Christ is portrayed in his own perfection.


The ritual The sin offering was specifically for sins committed in

ignorance, and did not refer to insolent and arrogant transgressors, for which no atonement could be made (Numbers 15:30-31).

Christ’s sacrifice however, is greater and more perfect, because it covers all types of sins.


1. The animal The animal that was used for the sacrificed

depended on the amount of responsibility that the person in need of redemption had.


For a priest or for common people all that was necessary was a calf. Leviticus 4:3, 13

For a Prince a goat was required. Leviticus 4:23 A poor person could offer a lamb, two turtledoves or two

young pigeons (4:32 ,33, 5:7). If not even this was possible the person could bring one-tenth of an ephah of fine flour. Leviticus 5:11

The only common demand is that the animal had to be without blemish.


2. When the sin offering was given In Leviticus 5:1-4 we read that there were only three

motives for making this offering: Sins of omission (Leviticus 5:1) Ceremonial sins (Leviticus 5:2-3) Unintentional sins (Leviticus 5:4)


The sin offering was not for transgressors, but for those who live holy lives and unintentionally committed a sin of omission or sinned in ignorance.


4. Presenting the animal There were several variations of the sin offering

depending on the type of worshiper involved. The presentation of the victim differed from the burnt

offering only in this aspect that here the worshipper declares himself as a sinner before God.


5. The laying on of hands In this sacrifice the laying on of hands is clearly

associated with confession and repentance of sin (Leviticus 5:5).


6. The death of the animal After the laying on of hands the animal becomes a

substitute for the sinner. The penalty and the sin are passed to the animal whose throat is slit before the Lord.


7. Presenting the blood In the sin offering of the priest and the people as a

whole the blood had to be sprinkled in the holy place seven times before the veil (4:6). Also the blood was sprinkled over the horns of the altar of incense (4:7). The rest of the blood was poured around the altar of the burnt offering in the outer court.


The blood sprinkled on the horns points to the power of the blood to restore our fellowship with God in prayer. The horns point to power and the altar of incense points to prayer.


In the remaining types, the blood was sprinkled only on the horns of the altar of the burnt sacrifice and the rest was sprinkled around its base.

This shows the reality of judgment of the brazen altar, it is based on the blood.


8. The fat was burned Only the fat of the animal was burned on the altar. It is interesting to observe that in the burnt offering

everything belongs to God, but in the sin offering everything belongs to man.


9. The flesh of the animal In the case of an offering for the priest or for the

people the blood could not be eaten, but the animal had to be burned outside of the camp.


In Leviticus 4:12, we see that the animal had to be burned outside of the camp. This is why Jesus suffered outside of Jerusalem, through his blood, to sanctify the people.

In the rest of the cases the flesh was eaten by the priest. Upon eating the flesh of the animal the priest was removing the iniquity of the congregation in order to make atonement for it before God (10:17).


The trespass offering1. The distinction between a sin and a trespass

Both of the sacrifices were made with confession of sins and the death of the animal, but the trespass offering had one more detail: the need to make restitution.


2. When it had to be offered - Leviticus 6:2-3 When a person sinned, and comited an offense against the

Lord, and Lies to his neighbor about what was delivered to him for

safekeeping, or about a pledge, Or about a robbery, Or if he has extorted anything from his neighbor; Or if he has found what was lost and lies concerning it, and

swears falsely In any one of these things that a man may do in which he

sins. Leviticus 6:2-3


If the sin caused material loss to one’s neighbor, the offering demanded that restitution be made to fix the problem.

This restitution had two distinct aspects: To correct unfaithfulness in the things of God; To make amends for material harm caused to a

neighbor.


3. Four types of sin

The book of Leviticus deals specifically with the following sins.

a. The failure to give testimony to a public order b. Touching of a dead body c. Touching anything unclean d. Careless speaking


The trespass offering, like the sin offering, was not a sweet smelling aroma before the Lord. It could not contain oil or incense, which symbolize the presence of the Spirit and fellowship with God.


4. Restitution If someone sinned against the sacred things of the

Lord, they should make a guilt offering and make restitution of 20% of the value of the holy things.

This shows us that the offering in itself was not enough, restitution was also necessary including interest. Repentance implies restitution.

Class 03 - The sin and trespass offerings

Spiritual

Transcript of Class 03 - The sin and trespass offerings