LESSON 5 - Sacrifices of Israel

 LESSON 5 

 Sacrifices of Israel 

Objective: To realize that worshipers can attain perfection, not through the Old Testament sacrifices, which were merely shadows, but only by the sanctification possible through the supreme sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

Bible Portion : Genesis 4:1-15; Leviticus 1-7

Memory Verse: Hebrew 10:1,14

Hebrew 10:1: For the law, having a shadow of the good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with these same sacrifices, which they offer continually year by year, make those who approach perfect.

Hebrew 10:14: For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.

Introduction

Sacrifices have been prevalent in the world since the beginning of history. The clothing or skin given by God to the first parents after they sinned can be considered as pointing to the redemptive death of Jesus Christ and as the beginning of sacrifices. Later, by faith, we see sacrifices being offered by Abel, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Job, and others. It was through the law given to Moses on Mount Sinai that God revealed the importance and meanings of sacrifices. All the sacrifices were shadows of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross. The study of various sacrifices will lead us to the understanding of the sanctification, perfection, and blessings available through the sacrifice

of Jesus Christ.

Levite Sacrifice

The commandments given by God regarding sacrifices are recorded in the first seven chapters of the book of Leviticus. Hence, they are called Levite sacrifices. There are five important sacrifices mentioned in these chapters. They are burnt offerings, meat offerings, peace offerings, sin offerings, and trespass offerings. Details of these five offerings are found in the first five chapters of Leviticus. The next two chapters give conditions governing the offerings. Apart from these, there are drink offerings, free will offerings, thanksgiving offerings, wave offerings, and vow offerings, which form part of the five main sacrifices.

Sacrifices - two types

Out of five Levite sacrifices, the first three (burnt offering, meat offering, and peace offering) are sweet savor offerings, and the other two (sin offering and trespass offering) are non-sweet savor offerings. Sweet savor offerings are those in which aromatic materials are also added to the sacrificial animals. These are not added to the non-sweet savor offerings. Sweet savor offerings are associated with worship, and non-sweet savor offerings are associated with the remission of sins. Sweet savor offerings tell us what Jesus Christ did on behalf of God, and the other two offerings show what Jesus Christ has accomplished for mankind. Sweet savor offerings are brought by the worshiper voluntarily. On the other hand, the worshipper is commanded to bring sin and trespass offerings. A sinner must offer sin and trespass offering first. After that, he is entitled to offer the other sacrifices, which are thanksgiving offerings. But in the presence of God, praise and glory to His name comes first. Therefore, sweet savor offerings take prominence in the order of the listing of offerings.

Meaning of Sacrifices

Various sacrifices were offered continually in the Old Testament age. They were all shadows of the single sacrifice of Jesus on Calvary (Heb. 10:10-14). The essence of all five sacrifices is contained in that single sacrifice. The death of Jesus Christ on the cross brought glory and honor to the name of God. Therefore, Jesus Christ became a sweet-smelling sacrifice and offering for God (Eph. 5:1-2). Moreover, His death was sufficient for the remission of the sins of mankind. "In the (Heb. 9:26). "He is the propitiation for our sins; not for ours only, but the end of the world, He appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself also for the sins of the whole world" (1 John 2:2). Therefore, the substance of all the propitiatory offering is Christ, Himself.

Jesus Christ was not only the sacrificial animal but also the High Priest who offered the sacrifice and even the altar where the sacrifice was offered. In the Old Testament, sacrifice, the altar, the sacrifice, and the priest were all different. However, in the ultimate sacrifice, all three of these three merged into the person of Jesus Christ. Let us praise God for the unique sacrificial death of the unique Christ. At the same time, let us offer ourselves as sacrifices in the presence of God.

Questions

1. Which is the event that marks the beginning of sacrifices?

2. How do we know that sacrifices were being offered even before the Law was given?

3. What are the Levite sacrifices? How are they classified?

4. Give the names of the sacrifices other than the five main sacrifices mentioned in Leviticus.

5. What are the differences between the sweet savor and the non-sweet savor offerings?

6. Prove that the total substance of all the sacrifices is Jesus Christ.