The
book of Leviticus (as the name implies) stresses the role of the
tribe of Levi, whom God chose for service in His sanctuary in the
role of priests. Although the book seems to speak of rituals and
sacrifices that are no longer required, it also foreshadows the role
of Christ as our priest, as our sacrifice, and as our servant. It
also speaks to us today of our need for repentance and to live holy
lives that honor God out of gratitude.
Leviticus
chapter 1 begins, “The
Lord called to Moses and spoke to him from the Tent of Meting“.
Remember the tabernacle had just been completed and God had shown
His acceptance by filling it with His glory. God tells Moses, “Speak
to the Israelites and say to them…”
Notice this message is for the whole nation (including you and I).
God’s instruction continues, “When
you bring an offering to the Lord, bring as your offering an animal
from either the flock or the herd“.
No wild animals would be accepted, this sacrifice needed to come at
a cost. Next we are given the procedure for a burnt offering. The
sacrifice must be, “A
male without defect… acceptable to the Lord“.
God desires our best, yet another example that God looks at our
ATTITUDE toward giving. This is an act of profound worship, just as
our giving is today. If you are only giving out of obligation and
ritual, you are missing a wonderful blessing.
Next
we read, “He
is to lay his hand on the head of the burnt offering and it will be
accepted on his behalf to make atonement for him“.
This atonement (meaning to cover), symbolized the blood of the
sacrifice to temporarily cover the sin. The priests were then to
slaughter the animal, sprinkle it’s blood on the side of the altar,
and wash the inner parts of the legs with water to wash away any
impurity. The priests were then to “burn
all of it on the altar“,
symbolizing our need to give our whole life to God. Our tendency is
to offer certain parts of our life to God. What part of your life
are you holding back? Interestingly, just before this, we are told
everything is to be done “before
the Lord“.
This phrase is repeated more than 60 times throughout the book. Yet
we somehow feel that some parts of our lives can be hidden from God.
2 Chronicles 16:9 tells us, “The
eyes of the Lord move to and fro throughout the whole world that He
may bless those that are completely His“.
God desires to bless us, not catch us sinning. Once we accept this
we can finally embrace Him fully as our loving God and Father.
The
chapter ends by giving similar descriptions of the sacrifices
required for those that did not have the ability to sacrifice a bull.
The sacrifice had to correspond to what a man could afford. God
does not look at the earthy value, but the willingness of the heart.
May your whole life be a sweet aroma before God today.