Leviticus 7 - Offerings and Tool Time

LINK: Leviticus 7

BACKGROUND - The Chapter Outline

Let's have another Bible Study "Tool Time" today by learning about the Chapter Outline.

A Chapter Outline helps us to see the key themes and ideas.

Here is an outline of Leviticus 7:

1. Further directions for the guilt offering (7:1-10)
2. Special procedures for eating the peace/fellowship offering (7:11-21)
3. Prohibitions for eating unclean portions of offerings (7:22-27)
4. Portions of the offerings going to the priests (7:28-38)

It is also nice to find a key theme for the whole chapter. A key theme for this chapter might be: 

God made a way for the people of Israel 

to focus fully on Him in all of their life 

and for peace with Him.

The Scarlet Thread of Redemption

Ultimately God made a way to Him through Jesus Christ. These opening chapters of Leviticus have Christ written all over them because the death of Christ on the cross was a fulfillment of all of these sacrifices!

APPLICATION

Take time out to review the five offerings and see if you can explain what each one meant for the people of Israel, and what they each mean for you today because of Christ. Offer a sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving.

PRAYER

Lord, thank You that Jesus died on the cross in order to make a way to You that is simple and complete and for all time. Amen.

Leviticus 5 & 6 - The Guilt Offering and The Priest's Part in the Offering

LINK: Leviticus 5 & 6

BACKGROUND

While the sin offering atoned for sins against God, the guilt offering (traditionally called the "trespass offering") was for sins against others. It also included making restitution which meant paying damages with interest (20%). The offerer had to confess his sin to God and a ram was offered. Only then could he receive forgiveness. It was similar to the sin offering in that it was mandatory. The major difference was that the sin offering was used when there could be no restitution.

Leviticus 6:8-30 involves specific procedures the priests were to follow for the burnt, grain, and sin offerings.

REFLECTION

I once had a pair of really expensive sewing scissors that my mom entrusted to me while I was away at college. During one of the many activities during Rush Week in my sorority (I know, you are astonished that I was in a sorority, but it is true), my scissors were borrowed, but they were never returned. Someone lost them, but no one knew who. I had entrusted them to someone, and she loaned them out to the next girl, who loaned them out to the next girl, and so on. When I went to retrieve my scissors, everyone was very sorry that my scissors were gone, but since each person did not think they were the particular person who lost them, no one saw any need to replace them. I had many apologies but no restitution. This situation reminded me of the purpose of the guilt offering: Restitution.

The Holman Old Testament Bible Commentary says, "The guilt offering proclaimed both the need for atonement through blood sacrifice for forgiveness and due restitution toward our brethren in Christ as a demonstration of the sincerity of our repentance" (p.178). This is so true!

APPLICATION

If you really want to make peace, ask God to help you breathe grace by humbly and thoroughly admitting your wrongs. One way to do this is to use the Seven A's of Confession by Kenneth Sande from http://www.peacemaker.net/:

1) Address everyone involved (all those whom you affected)
2) Avoid if, but, and maybe (do not try to excuse your wrongs)
3) Admit specifically (both attitudes and actions)
4) Acknowledge the hurt (express sorrow for hurting someone)
5) Accept the consequences (such as making restitution)
6) Alter your behavior (change your attitudes and actions)
7) Ask for forgiveness

See Matthew 7:3-5; 1 John 1:8-9; Proverbs 28:13.

Relationships with others are near and dear to God's heart, and the guilt offering indicates that. Is there anyone with whom you need to reconcile or make restitution?

PRAYER

Lord, thank You that You always make a way back to You through the blood of Christ. Help us to also make our way back to those in which we harbor hurt or resentment (Matthew 5:23-24) or we may have hurt. Make us one in You, Lord. We ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.

Leviticus 3 & 4 - Peace (Fellowship) and Sin Offerings

LINK: Leviticus 3 & 4

BACKGROUND

Leviticus 3: Peace (Fellowship) Offering

Like the burnt and grain offering, this was a voluntary offering to the LORD and symbolized fellowship and peace with God and man through shed blood. The word comes from the root Hebrew word shalom which means "peace." An animal without defect was offered from the herd or flock. This is the only offering where the person offering could take part in eating it. It involved a communal meal where priests, worshippers, and guests could share in a feast as a meal with God. It was particularly popular in later years during the three feasts (Passover, Feast of Weeks, and Tabernacles) where many would gather in Jerusalem at the temple. When Israel became a monarchy, the king would often supplement it with many more animals (1 Kings 8:63-65).

Leviticus 4: Sin Offering

Different from the burnt, grain, and peace offerings, this offering was mandatory. It focused on paying for sin. The sin offerings atoned for sins against God. (more on that word in the future). Various animals were offered depending on the income of the person. Priests and leaders had to offer larger sacrifices.

The Scarlet Thread of Redemption

All high priests sinned and had to atone for their sins, but the great high priest Jesus Christ did not sin:

For every high priest taken from among men is appointed on behalf of men in things pertaining to God, in order to offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins; he can deal gently with the ignorant and misguided, since he himself also is beset with weakness; and because of it he is obligated to offer sacrifices for sins, as for the people, so also for himself. (Hebrews 5:1-3)

But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things to come, He entered through the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this creation; and not through the blood of goats and calves, but through His own blood, He entered the holy place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption. For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling those who have been defiled sanctify for the cleansing of the flesh, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? (Hebrews 9:11-14)

REFLECTION - Hot, Cold, or Lukewarm?

I don't know about you, but the words in Hebrews 9 above send electricity through every part of my body: His blood through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God and has cleansed my conscience from dead works to serve the living God!

Who would not want to serve the living God because of this? Are we lukewarm and lackadaisical in our faith because we do not quite get the enormous price that Christ paid to cleanse us and free us? When I really understand this, it makes me want to be HOT for God.

I love a cold glass of milk or a nice hot milk steamer, but I detest a lukewarm glass of milk. And I had some lukewarm milk yesterday, and as I was gagging over it, God immediately reminded me of Revelation 3:15-16: 

I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot. So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth. 

Christ has cleansed me to serve a living God! I want to be hot!

APPLICATION

Meditate on the verses in Hebrews and these verses about Christ's offering:

Isaiah 53:10
Matthew 20:28
2 Corinthians 5:21

If this is "old hat" to you, let the full import of Christ's offering wash over you anew. If it is new, and you are grasping it for the first time, cement it there so you will never forget it.

PRAYER

Lord, thank You that our consciences have been cleansed from dead works to serve You. Help us understand this to the depths of our souls. Lord, make us hot for You and Your purposes in our lives. Amen.

Leviticus 1 & 2 - Offerings to Him

LINK: Leviticus 1 & 2

If you read my story in "How the Bible Book Club Came to Be," you will know that I would DIE at Leviticus every time I did a Bible reading program. I used to dread it. Now, I actually like it. So, approach this book with 10 times more enthusiasm than you usually do, and come along with me for a very fun ride. It is not that much reading per day. Believe me, it is a very important book! I'll try to keep you engaged and excited throughout. Maybe I should have a prize at the end if you finish?

BACKGROUND for Leviticus

The title of this book comes from a Greek word Levitikon meaning "relating to the Levites." The entire book spells out the essence of Hebrew worship. It all centers on the principle theme of this book: The Holiness of God

My biggest encouragement to you is to not get bogged down in the details and try to look at its wider theological significance.

BACKGROUND

Leviticus 1: Burnt Offerings

The English rendering of "burnt offering" does not give the Hebrew word olah justice. The original word describes something ascending. Behind this is the concept that the entire animal was consumed. It was the complete self-surrender of the person offering to God. The best animal of the flock bore the sins of the worshipper and died in that person's place. The blood was sprinkled on the altar. Then, the animal was completely burned.

The Scarlet Thread of Redemption

Now, you might see why I think this book is so important. It has much to teach us about the Scarlet Thread!

We see Christ in the burnt offering. He offered himself completely to God for our sins. He was the "best of the flock" and bore our sins and died in our place. He was the substitute who died so that we might live a life of continual surrender and dedication to God (Romans 12:1-2). Isn't that wonderful?

Leviticus 2: Grain Offerings

The grain offering involved offerings from the things on earth needed to support life: flour and oil. Apparently, the final product was like pie crust because it did not have yeast or honey. It could be eaten by the priests after a handful was burned at the altar. The worshipper did not eat any part of his or her grain offering. If a priest made an offering for himself, he did not eat any part of it.

This offering was given to God in thankfulness. The Hebrew word for "grain offering" can mean "gift." We give gifts of thanksgiving and praise.

APPLICATION 

While I may make suggestions for application, please ask God and listen to how He wants you to live His truth out in your life! But here is how God led me to apply this.

I looked up cross-references related to:

The Burnt Offering and the key themes of . . . 
Surrender:
Psalm 51:16, 17
Matthew 26:39
Romans 12:1
Dedication:
Philippians 2:17
2 Timothy 4:6, 7

The Grain (Meal) Offering and the key themes of . . .
Giving:
Matthew 26:6-10
2 Corinthians 9:7-11
Praise:
Psalm 100
Hebrews 13:15, 16
Thankfulness:
Psalm 147
Philippians 4:6

I don't know about you, but when I read this chapter this morning, I was reminded of how much our Jesus Community (a gathering of like-hearted friends) has been transformed by starting out our time together in thanksgiving to God in prayer, recounting all He has been to us in the last week. I love that we start off that way rather than just sharing prayer requests. We give our offering of thanksgiving which leads to our praise throughout the whole time.

I love that it was all built-in for the Israelites. Sure, they made it rote and mindless, but we do not have to do that. Make it part of your everyday life and fellowship with other believers and see how it transforms you and your community!

It was a busy and exciting week, and I have not stopped to thank Him. So my "I will" is to do just that. 

For me, I find a daily Examen prayer time helps me to review my day, recalling the things I am thankful for.  The person who popularized the Examen was Ignatius of Loyola:

“By emphasizing gratitude, Ignatius was saying something about the nature of God, God is the generous giver, showering us with blessings like the sun shining on the earth. If we truly understood this, we would return God’s love with love. We wouldn’t sin. Gratitude is a good word for this fundamental quality of our relationship with God. Ingratitude, our blindness to who God truly is, is thus the root of all sin" (God Finds Us: An Experience of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius Loyola, p. 61).

PRAYER

We bring a sacrifice of praise into Your house LORD. We want to give all to You in thanksgiving. LORD, we want to present our bodies as living and holy sacrifices, acceptable to You. We worship and love You. Amen.