Leviticus 1 - 4 (13th Feb) - Weiling

Leviticus receives its name from the Greek word Septuagint and means “relating to the Levites”. Although Leviticus does not only deal with the special duties of the Levites, it is so named because it is concerned mainly with the service of worship at the tabernacle. Exodus had given the directions for the building of the tabernacle. Leviticus gives the laws and regulations for worship at the tabernacle, along with the instructions on ceremonial cleanness, moral laws, holy days, the sabbath year, and the Year of the Jubilee.

Theme: The key thought of Leviticus is holiness – that of God and of man. The instructions or laws in the book were given to help the Israelites worship and live as God’s holy people.

Five categories of offerings were mentioned in the book. And since I have a nice page in my Zondervan reference bible that explains the difference, I shall share them with you.

1. Burnt Offering [Lev 1]
- Elements: Bull, ram or male bird (dove or young pigeon for the poor); wholly consumed; no defect
- Purpose: Voluntary act of worship; atonement for unintentional sin in general; expression of devotion, commitment and complete surrender to God.

2. Grain Offering [Lev 2]
- Elements: Grain, fine flour, olive oil, incense, baked bread (cakes or wafers), salt; no yeast or honey; accompanied burnt offering and fellowship offering
- Purpose: Voluntary act of worship; recognition of God’s goodness and provisions; devotion to God.

3. Fellowship Offering [Lev 3]
- Elements: Any animal without defect from herd or flock; variety of breads
- Purpose: Voluntary act of worship; thanksgiving and fellowship

4. Sin Offering [Lev 4:1-5;13]
- Elements:
i) Young bull: for high priest and congregation
ii) Male goat: for leader
iii) Female goat or lamb: for common person
iv) Dove or pigeon: for the poor
v) Tenth of an ephah of fine flour: for the very poor
- Purpose: Mandatory atonement for specific unintentional sin; confession of sin; forgiveness of sin; cleansing from defilement

5. Guilt Offering [Lev 5: 14-6:7]
- Elements: Ram or lamb
- Purpose: Mandatory atonement for unintentional sin requiring restitution; cleansing from defilement; making restitution; pay 20% fine

When more than one kind of offering was offered, the procedure was usually as follows: sin/ guilt offering -> burnt offering -> fellowship offering and grain offering
The spiritual significance is that first, sin has to be dealt with (sin or guilt offering), second, the worshipper committed himself completely to God (grain or burnt offering) and then, fellowship or communion is established between the Lord, the priest and the worshipper (fellowship offering).

What can be noticed from the four chapters is that offerings cost us. Often the requirement is for male animals without defects. (Often, male animals are fewer in numbers and are more precious because they are used for breeding.) It is the giving of YOUR best. Even for the poor, they give something that costs them too though God does not impose on them what they cannot afford. It is the same with the offering of the first fruits (Lev 2: 12), we give of what is precious not the leftover. When we sacrifice unto the Lord, we should be like King David who said “I will not sacrifice to the LORD my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing.” in 2 Samuel 24: 24.