1:4ffIsrael was not the only nation to sacrifice animals. Many other retigions did it as well to try to please their gods. Some cultures even included human sacrifice, which was strictly forbidden by God. However, the meaning of Israel's animal sacrifices was clearly different from that of their pagan neighbors’ sacrifices. Israelites sacrificed animals, not just to appease God’s wrath, but as a substitute for the punishment they deserved for their sins. A sacrifice showed faith in God and commitment to his laws. Most important, this systern foreshadowed the day when the Lamb of God (Jesus Christ) would die and conquer sin once and for all.
Life Application Study BibleLeviticusChapter 1
Leviticus 1
New Living Translation · Life Application Study Bible · Original pages: 161, 162
A few verse numbers on this page were hard to read in the scan and are marked with a dotted underline — compare with the original page image if in doubt.
1Leviticus 1
1defects. Bring it to the entrance of the Tabernacle so you* may be accepted by the LORD. 4Lay your hand on the animal's head, and the LORD will accept its death in your place to purify you, making you right with him.* 5Then slaughter the young bull in the LORD’s presence, and Aaron’s sons, the priests, will present the animal's blood by splattering it against all sides of the altar that stands at the entrance to the Tabernacle. 6Then skin the animal and cut it into pieces. ’The sons of Aaron the priest will build a wood fire on the altar. ®They will arrange the pieces of the offering, including the head and fat, on the wood burning on the altar. 9But the internal organs and the legs must first be washed with water. Then the priest will burn the entire sacrifice on the altar as a burnt offering. It is a special gift, a pleasing aroma to the LORD. 10"Tf the animal you present as a burnt offering is from the flock, it may be either a sheep or a goat, but it must be a male with no defects. 11Slaughter the animal on the north side of the altar in the LORD’s presence, and Aaron’s sons, the priests, will splatter its blood against all sides of the altar.?Then cut the animal in pieces, and the priests will arrange the pieces of the offering, including the head and fat, on the wood burning on the altar. 13But the internal organs and the legs must first be washed with water. Then the priest will burn the entire sacrifice on the altar as a burnt offering. It is a special gift, a pleasing aroma to the LORD. 14"Tf you present a bird as a burnt offering to the LORD, choose either a turtledove or a young pigeon. 1The priest will take the bird to the altar, wring off its head, and burn it on the altar. But first he must drain its blood against the side of the altar. 16The priest must also remove the crop and the feathers* and throw them in the ashes on the east side of the altar. 7Then, grasping the bird by its wings, the priest will tear the bird open, but without tearing it apart. Then he will burn it as a burnt offering on the wood burning on the altar. It is a special gift, a pleasing aroma to the LORD. Procedures for the Grain Offering 2:1
Textual footnotes
- 1:4 Or to make atonement for you.
Life Application Notes 2 notes
1:13The “pleasing aroma” is a way of saying that God accepted the sacrifice because of the attitude of the people. Israelites could be forgiven for them. As you read more of God's laws, keep in mind that they were meant to teach and guide the people. Let them help you become more aware of sin in your life.
Charts, profiles & sidebars from the printed pages
Study feature · page 161
THE OFFERINGS Listed here are the five key offerings the Israelites made to God. They made these offerings in order to have their sins forgiven and to restore their fellowship with God. The death of Jesus Christ made these sacrifices unnecessary. Because of his death, our sins were completely forgiven, and fellowship with God has been restored.
Christ, the Perfect Offering Christ’s death was the perfect offering Christ was the perfect man, who gave all of himself to God and others Christ is the only way to fellowship with God Christ’s death restores our fellowship with God Christ's death takes away the deadly consequences of sin
Offering Burnt Offering (Lev. 1— voluntary) Grain Offering (Lev. 2— voluntary) Peace Offering (Lev. 3— voluntary) Sin Offering (Lev. 4— required) Guilt Offering (Lev. 5— required)
Purpose To make payment for sins in general To show honor and respect to God in worship To express gratitude to God To make payment for unintentional sins of uncleanness, neglect, or thoughtlessness To make payment for sins against God and others. A sacrifice was made to God, and the injured person was repaid or compensated
Significance Showed a person’s devotion to God Acknowledged that all we have belongs to God Symbolized peace and fellowship with God Restored the sinner to fellowship with God; showed seriousness of sin Provided compensation for injured parties
perfect animals and holy priests, they taught reverence for a holy God. (2) By demanding exact obedience, they taught total sub- Mission to God’s laws. (3) By requiring an animal of great value, they showed the high cost of sin and demonstrated the sincerity of the people’s commitment to God. (4) By their nature, sacrifices Fequired the use of all the senses in worship, encouraging a whole-person response to God. Some sacrifices were voluntary while others were required. The sacrificial system taught a combi- Nation of requirement before God, but also presented opportunities for heartfelt voluntary response to God. 1:3-13 Why are there such detailed regulations for each offering? God had a purpose in giving these commands. Starting from scratch, he was teaching his people a whole new way of life, Cleansing them from the many pagan practices they had learned in Egypt and restoring true worship of himself. The strict details kept Israel from slipping back into their old life-style. In addition, each law paints a graphic picture of the seriousness of sin and Of God’s great mercy in forgiving sinners.