We Come By Way of Sacrifice - LEVITICUS STARTS
Today we start the book of Leviticus. It is an often avoided piece of literature in the scriptures. The offerings and descriptions of the priestly system is enough to drive anyone far from investing their time in this book. But what a mistake it is to disregard it's powerful presentation of God's truth. We find in the book of Leviticus the means by which a man may come to God. And the first thing that Leviticus is going to tell us is that we come by way of sacrifice.
Commentators tell us that the first word in Leviticus (in Hebrew) is a conjunction. It connects its contents to the end of Exodus. At the end of Exodus, Moses has erected the Tent of Meeting (the Tabernacle) and God filled it with His presence and glory. Moses cannot enter the tent because of God's glory - YET - Leviticus opens with they way by which we all may come to God.
Leviticus 1:1–2 (ESV) The LORD called Moses and spoke to him from the tent of meeting, saying, 2 “Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, When any one of you brings an offering to the LORD, you shall bring your offering of livestock from the herd or from the flock.
A couple of notes about the first chapter.
The offerings must be costly, but they are not all equal. Some who have flocks can offer one. Those with less means do not have to bring a sheep or goat but the must bring something (a bird). The point is - sacrifice costs us!
The second thing of note is the repeated phrase at the end of the three types of sacrifices to be offered. Three times the same words are used:
Leviticus 1:9 (ESV) but its entrails and its legs he shall wash with water. And the priest shall burn all of it on the altar, as a burnt offering, a food offering with a pleasing aroma to the LORD.
Leviticus 1:13 (ESV) but the entrails and the legs he shall wash with water. And the priest shall offer all of it and burn it on the altar; it is a burnt offering, a food offering with a pleasing aroma to the LORD.
What are we taught:
1. When we come to God it must be intentional.
Think of this: what is the point of poor people bringing anything to God? First, He does not need it, second, they are poor! Yet even those of lesser means should bring something of value to God. Why? Because we cannot and must not come to God without intent! We come with our hearts open because we know we do not come empty handed! We come letting go of something and thereby opening our lives to what God wants to fill that void with now.
2. When we come to God, it brings Him pleasure.
Three times the "pleasing aroma" is mentioned in this first chapter of Leviticus. God takes pleasure in His people coming to worship Him. God is not aloof to you! He wants to be with you. But He offers you the opportunity to come.
3. When we come to God, it must be with our entirety.
The sacrifices offered, no matter their monetary value, were wholly consumed on the altar. Our lives in the New Testament are to be living sacrifices as we present our whole being on the altar of God's mercies. Worship requires giving ourselves to something else. It involves total commitment. That is what is meant here in offering to God whole beings. In 2 Samuel 24:24, David declared, "I will not offer burnt offerings to the LORD my God that cost me nothing.”
Ephesians 5:2 (ESV) And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
On this side of the cross, you never do something that wasn't already done for you.
Commentators tell us that the first word in Leviticus (in Hebrew) is a conjunction. It connects its contents to the end of Exodus. At the end of Exodus, Moses has erected the Tent of Meeting (the Tabernacle) and God filled it with His presence and glory. Moses cannot enter the tent because of God's glory - YET - Leviticus opens with they way by which we all may come to God.
Leviticus 1:1–2 (ESV) The LORD called Moses and spoke to him from the tent of meeting, saying, 2 “Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, When any one of you brings an offering to the LORD, you shall bring your offering of livestock from the herd or from the flock.
The offerings must be costly, but they are not all equal. Some who have flocks can offer one. Those with less means do not have to bring a sheep or goat but the must bring something (a bird). The point is - sacrifice costs us!
The second thing of note is the repeated phrase at the end of the three types of sacrifices to be offered. Three times the same words are used:
Leviticus 1:9 (ESV) but its entrails and its legs he shall wash with water. And the priest shall burn all of it on the altar, as a burnt offering, a food offering with a pleasing aroma to the LORD.
Leviticus 1:13 (ESV) but the entrails and the legs he shall wash with water. And the priest shall offer all of it and burn it on the altar; it is a burnt offering, a food offering with a pleasing aroma to the LORD.
Leviticus 1:17 (ESV) He shall tear it open by its wings, but shall not sever it completely. And the priest shall burn it on the altar, on the wood that is on the fire. It is a burnt offering, a food offering with a pleasing aroma to the LORD.
1. When we come to God it must be intentional.
Think of this: what is the point of poor people bringing anything to God? First, He does not need it, second, they are poor! Yet even those of lesser means should bring something of value to God. Why? Because we cannot and must not come to God without intent! We come with our hearts open because we know we do not come empty handed! We come letting go of something and thereby opening our lives to what God wants to fill that void with now.
2. When we come to God, it brings Him pleasure.
Three times the "pleasing aroma" is mentioned in this first chapter of Leviticus. God takes pleasure in His people coming to worship Him. God is not aloof to you! He wants to be with you. But He offers you the opportunity to come.
3. When we come to God, it must be with our entirety.
The sacrifices offered, no matter their monetary value, were wholly consumed on the altar. Our lives in the New Testament are to be living sacrifices as we present our whole being on the altar of God's mercies. Worship requires giving ourselves to something else. It involves total commitment. That is what is meant here in offering to God whole beings. In 2 Samuel 24:24, David declared, "I will not offer burnt offerings to the LORD my God that cost me nothing.”
The worship of our Lord involves the sacrifice of our whole selves. But why? Because God in Christ did these three things for us! Notice the alignment of Christ's coming:
Jesus' coming to die for us was intentional:
1 Peter 1:20 (ESV) He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you
Jesus' coming was at the pleasure of the Father:
Isaiah 53:10 (NLT) But it was the LORD’s good plan to crush him and cause him grief. Yet when his life is made an offering for sin, he will have many descendants. He will enjoy a long life, and the LORD’s good plan will prosper in his hands.
Jesus' coming was a whole offering to God on our behalf.
Ephesians 5:2 (ESV) And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
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