Doctrine of Levitical Offerings 1. The Levitical offerings were an elaborate teaching aid in ritual form designed to portray the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ. Their purpose was to orient the Jewish individual to God’s plan for phase one and two and teach grace. 2. There is a Scriptural basis for typical (symbolical) interpretation. Heb. 10:1 For the Law, since it has only a shadow of the good things to come and not the very form of things, can never by the same sacrifices year by year, which they offer continually, make perfect those who draw near. Heb 10:4 For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. 3. The Burnt Offering Lev 1:2-17 A. ThisiscalledanOLAHQARBAN. B. Moses was given these instructions by the Lord from inside the Tabernacle its completion. 1:1 C. It could be brought from three sources. 1:21. 1). Herd: brought by the wealthy (principle: to whom much is given, much is required) and portrayed the Lord Jesus Christ as the servant of God. (Not trying to buy salvation.) 2). Flock: brought by middle class, portrayed Lord Jesus Christ as the Lamb of God. 3). Fowl: brought by the poor, portrayed the Lord Jesus Christ as the Resurrected One. D. This offering was brought by believers (as were the others). Lev 1:2 uses the Hiphil Imperfect of QARAB which means that the offeror “caused to bring” the sacrifice to obey God’s Word. E. The offering from the Herd: 1:3-9 1). To be a male without physical defect portraying that Lord Jesus Christ was qualified to bear our sins because of no Sin Nature or personal sin. (The word “spot” means a “birthmark” which refers to the Sin Nature; a blemish is something caused later referring to personal sin. The sacrifice was to be without Sin Nature and personal sin.) 2). It was to be slaughtered by the offeror portraying the acceptance of an innocent sacrifice by the believer. 3). Hands were placed on the head of the sacrifice portraying that all sins of the individual were poured onto the Lord Jesus Christ. 1 John 2:2 and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for our only, but also for those of the whole world. (Imputation) 4). The bull was innocent as was Jesus Christ. John 15: 25 they hated Me with a cause. 5). The bull bleeding to death portrays Christ’s suffering for us. John 19:34 (Pierced His side.) 2 6). The animal’s physical death portrays Christ’s spiritual death. 7). The offering was offered on the bronze altar portraying judgment on the cross of Christ. 8). The animal was then skinned portraying that salvation was the beginning of our work. 9). It was then cut into pieces and arranged over the fire. 10). The fire portrays judgment. 11). The head and fat were to be put on the altar portraying that Christ knew what He was doing on the cross and the prosperity of His human soul. 12). This was all done at the altar portraying the fact that all Christ’s saving work was done at the cross. 13). There is no mention of emotion. F. The Offering from the Flock. 1:10-13 1. Could be either a sheep or a goat. 2. The goat had to be a male without blemish as did the sheep. 3. The goat represents sins to be borne by the Messiah. 4. The sheep represents His perfect and sinless humanity. John 1:29 (John the Baptist recognized Him as the “Lamb of God.”) 5. This offering was in effect before the Levitical Offerings. Gen 22 6. This is designed to portray the message of 2 Cor 5:2. For He has made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. 7. The method of slaughter was the same as for the bull. 8. The offeror received the knife from the priest. 9. A volitional decision was involved to slay it, indicating God’s volition. 10. This was not a pleasant thing to do as God judging His Son was not a “pleasant” thing for Him to do. 11. Christ’s crucifixion was shocking experience. 12. It was not designed to be pleasant. 13. He went through intense agony. 14. The total wrath of the Father was on Him. 15. God has never given us what we deserve for our sins. Psa 103:10 He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. 16. What we deserved was saved for the cross. 17. Some of the animal’s blood was sprinkled round about the altar portraying propitiation and the balance was poured at its base portraying Unlimited Atonement. 18. These were also washed. 3 a. The offeror got to wash the entrails and bloody pieces which was a nauseating experience. b. Sins are “nauseating” to the Righteousness of God. c. Our best is but filthy menstrual rags. Isa 64:6 19. The sweet savor unto the Lord portrays Propitiation. 20. The entrails and legs of this offering were to be washed (as was the offering from the herd-not mentioned) portraying that through this sacrifice for all time we are able to be cleansed. John 13:5-11 Jesus vividly pointed out the need for cleansing via washing. 21. The believer cannot go through life without sin. Rom 3:23 For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. 22. The legs and entrails emphasize the inner and overt. – Through confession of sins, an inner cleansing, the outer cleansing is also accomplished. 23. The perfect, spotless sacrifice portrays the only person who went through life without sin. 2 Cor 5:21 24. The blood portrays Christ’s spiritual death on the cross. G. The Offering of Fowl. Lev 1:14-17 1. Could be either a turtledove or a son of a dove (young pigeon.) a. Turtledoves are noted for their loyalty to each other, which portrays God’s grace in salvation. John 10:28- 29 and I give eternal life to them, and they shall never perish; and no one shall snatch them out of My hand. My father, who has given them to Me, is greater that all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. b. Even the poorest could participate emphasizing that money is never to be made an issue in salvation. God’s plan is for everyone and is not related to human viewpoint issues. c. A dove is a member of the pigeon family symbolizing peace and the Holy Spirit. This is seen at the Baptism of Jesus Christ. Matt 3:13-17 d. The birds portray the hypostatic union. (We will see this when we not the manner of sacrifice). e. Both birds were passive in nature indicating Christ’s willingness to go to the Cross. John 8:29 I always do those things that please Him. Matt 27:12 And while He was being accused by the chief priests and elders, He made no answer. f. The priest performed this sacrifice not the offeror portraying that God presented His Son as a sacrifice. g. The order of sacrifice. 4 a. The priest would wring off its head and burn it (head) portraying that the Lord Jesus Christ’s soul was judged first and found perfect. No personal sin was on His soul. b. Then the blood would be drained out to the side of the altar indicating that His spiritual death is sufficient. c. The crop and feathers would then be removed and taken to the ash pile portraying the Doctrine of Kenosis. No overt glory seen. d. The ashes indicate propitiation of the Father. e. The priest divides the bird (Piel PF + w.c.) but does not sever it, indicating the hypostatic union remained intact on the cross. f. The wings were left intact indicating that Jesus Christ was free to not go to the cross, but did. Matt 27:42ff He saved others; He cannot save Himself He is King of Israel; let Him come down now from the cross, and we shall believe in Him. (Tremendous test to tap His Deity). g. Christ had a singleness of purpose in His life, to do the will of Father. Luke 22:42 not My will, but Thine be done. John 5:30 I do not seek My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. H. In these three categories of offerings we have portrayed Christ’s person, work, and hypostatic union. The main emphasis of the Burnt Offering is Propitiation of the +R/J of the Father. 4. The Gift Offering. Lev 2 A. It is called the MINCHAH meaning gift. It was a bloodless offering emphasizing the person of the Lord Jesus Christ. B. It takes a perfect gift to satisfy a perfect giver. C. This is part of the same set of instructions from the Shekinah glory that Moses received in the Most Holy Place. Lev 1:1 – Note: Moses was a super-genius and a mature believer; nothing indicates repetition. He possessed phenomenal concentration and recall. D. Categories: 1. Cooked a. Made on a griddle b. Baked c. Made in a pan 2. Uncooked a. Wheat b. Corn 5 E. The offerings emphasize the perfect gift from God to man and suggests the perfect gift from God to man and suggests three unspeakable blessings.