Keep in mind that Leviticus is God’s picture book of Truth that He would have us to know. The Book of Leviticus is filled with pictures, called types; they prefigure something yet to come; The New Testament calls them shadows in Col. 2:17 and Heb. 8:5; 10:1. Just as a shadow takes the form of the object which casts it, so these ceremonies and rituals are shadows of something to occur. When you read the Old Testament you can’t help but see the emphasis is upon the future – “Someone is coming!

All offerings that were given in the Mosaic economy followed a 5-Step Pattern.

1. Selection of the Animal – (male/female and w/o blemish)
2. Laying on of Hands – signified Substitution/Identification
3. Killing of the Animal – The wages of sin is still death! Leviticus 17:11. Jesus died for the sin of the world.
4. Sprinkling of Blood or Burning of Sacrifice – This was an act of consecration or total commitment to God
5. Ceremony of Restored Relationship – Some ritual to signify restored relationship

Today we see they are pictures of the work of Jesus Christ.

1 – Background (vs. 1)

This was the oldest & most common offering known to man – It was the offering of Abel, Noah, and Abraham. Every day – at 9:00am and 3:00pm – the priests would offer a burnt offering – The fire of the brazen altar or burnt altar never went out! It was a continual burnt offering. What a picture of Jesus Christ – There is cleansing & forgiveness 24 hours a day for “whosoever will!” The reason for this offering being listed first is because of its prominence in our lives – It reveals Christ as our Substitute. See Ephesians 5:2

2 – Regulations of the Burnt Offering (vs. 2-3)

Here we find specific regulations for the sacrifice that is acceptable unto God:

• Male without blemish (Jesus was a sinless man) The male speaks of strength and without blemish speaks of perfection
• One must offer the sacrifice voluntarily. There two types of animals to be used – (animals of the herd or of the flock)
• Animals that are wild and carnivorous by nature were forbidden in all sacrifices because they could never portray our loving Lord Jesus Christ
• Animal must be clean and domesticated – people don’t go cow hunting, sheep hunting, or goat hunting. These animals would represent that which was dear to their owners.
• Offered only at the Door of the Tabernacle – This is because Christ provides for us a Door of Access to the Father. The Veil was Rent in twain opening up Access to the Father
• The laying on of Hands – This is symbolic of Substitution/Imputation. “The Just for the Unjust!” (1 Pet. 3:18). Keep in mind that although these sacrifices were offered, they were only pictures; types; shadows of Christ – They only atoned for sins – they did not take sins away! (Heb. 10:4) Only Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, could take away sin (John 1:29)

3 – The Ritual for the Burnt Sacrifice (Leviticus 1:5-16)

After a person had chosen a proper sacrifice, the right kind of animal – the sinner brings the victim to the entrance of the tabernacle where he is met by a priest.

Notice the sinner slays the sacrifice! (There is an exception in vs. 14-15 when a bird is used). The important thing to remember is the innocent died because of the guilty. Everything had to be done decently & in order. The sacrifice was slain, cut into pieces, and consumed entirely by fire! The fire represents absolute consecration of Christ to God! Before the Jew could worship God, he must offer a burnt offering signifying that he was not worthy; that he must identify with one who was – the Messiah to come! vs. 14-16. Notice also that even poverty was no excuse for not bringing an offering.

4 – The Reason for the Burnt Offering (Leviticus 1:17)

This is the third time that it is mentioned that it is a “Sweet Savour to the Lord.” This makes it clear that this was the reason for the sacrifice – It is what God sees in Jesus Christ – Ephesians 5:2.

5 – The Law of the Burnt Offering (Leviticus 6:8-13)

The Law of the Burnt Offering is found in Leviticus 6:13-18. We find that Aaron and the priests offered morning & evening sacrifices for the whole nation to God. The fire was to never go out! Praise God that it is still burning for whosoever will today. By the finished work of Jesus Christ, we can have His offering between us and a Holy God – We can come to Him and worship Him in Spirit and in truth! Have YOU Brought the Lamb of God to the Father?

Categories: Leviticus