><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> (Leviticus) CHAPTER 1 ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Directing Questions -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= God is now dwelling in the midst of His people, and gives them directions concerning their worship of Him and their Communion with Him. Notice how throughout this book God is the speaker, through Moses. 1 What are the two outstanding features of the burnt offering mentioned here? See, e.g., verses 3, 9, 10, 13. 2 What significance would the burnt offering have for the person making the offering? See1 e.g., verses 4, 9, 13, 17. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Comments from (Leviticus) Chapter 1 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -------------------------------------------- * Blenda Chao -------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------- * James Chao -------------------------------------------- Leviticus 1 The Wage of Sin Is Death After creation, man sinned. Started with disobedience and then killing and on and on. Sin separated us from God and lived a worldly life becoming a slave of sin. It is God's mercy and grace which called us out of the world - Egypt, to worship and serve the Lord. The first thing to approach God is paying the price for being sinned. Since the wage of sin is death; therefore, price has to be paid. Here comes the sin offering to propitiate for sin which signifies complete dedication and consecration to God. It is a serious matter when we sing "Take My Life, and Let It Be". How often do we hear from our pastor reminding us - don't sing it if you don't mean it WITH LOVE. Take my life, and let it be consecrated, Lord to Thee; Take my hands, and let them move at the impulse of Thy love. At the impulse of Thy love. --------- Take my will, and make it Thine, it shall be no longer mine; Take my heart, it is Thine own; It shall be Thy royal throne. It shall be Thy royal throne. From this point and on, kingdom life starts - Thy will be done. -------------------------------------------- * Alvin Chao -------------------------------------------- 1) With the start of Leviticus we enter in the the Age of the Law. With the Law comes the sacrifices for the atonement of sin. The various offerings are a model of Age of Grace worship, praise, and confession to the Lord. The burnt offering mentioned here has two outstanding features a) male animal without defect b) entrails were to be washed and offered (no blood in the offering) - but a complete offering. 2) The person making the offering would lay hands on the animal, thus performing a complete identification with the fact that the animal was being a substitute for their sin. The offering was to be a 'soothing aroma to the Lord' a sacrifice that was good and pleasing to God. The burnt offering symbolizes a willing offering, a voluntary presentation to God. This is the idea behind Rom 12:1-2 and our offering ourselves as a living sacrifice to the Lord. 1 Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> (Leviticus) CHAPTER 2-3 ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Directing Questions -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 1 The cereal offering represents a blameless life. The purity of its ingredients is emphasized (see 2: 1, 11). The worshipper who is not blameless draws near to God with acceptance in the power of an offering possessing the perfection which he lacks. Consider how this offering is fulfilled in Christ. Cf Heb. 7:26; 1 jn. 2:6. 2 The peace offering speaks of communion, based on the blood of atonement (3:1, 2), and expressed in a whole burnt offering pleasing to the Lord (3: 5). Do you know the heart-satisfaction of such a relation to God? =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Comments from (Leviticus) Chapter 2-3 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -------------------------------------------- * Blenda Chao -------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------- * James Chao -------------------------------------------- Leviticus 2 - The Grain Offering It is to honor and respect God, a most holy offering in worshipping. It acknowledges that everything we have belongs to God. Grain offering is given with aroma pleasing to the Lord, 2:2. The grain is mixed with oil and incense and symbolizes joy, 2:4-7. Salt is also added as a preservative to express that our relationship and friendship with God would last forever and it is also for us to remember God's unchanging love. Leviticus 3 - The Peace Offering It is an offering to express gratitude to God as a symbol of peace and fellowship with God; it is also called fellowship offering. There are three types to express different purposes: + THANK OFFERING to express gratitude for an unexpected blessing or deliverance; + VOTIVEOFFERING to express gratitude for a blessing or deliverance granted when a vow had accompanied the petition; + FREEWILLOFFERING to express gratitude to God without regard to any specific blessing or deliverance. [Nelson's Bible Maps & Charts] The fat is considered a choice portion of the meat and it indicates that the best part of the sacrifice is give to God, 3:3-5. -------------------------------------------- * Alvin Chao -------------------------------------------- 1) The grain offering was an offering of oil, mixed with fine flour and frankincense. It expressed thanksgiving and dedication to God. The modern grain offering is fullfilled in Christ by His blameless nature. No leaven(impurity) was to accompany the grain offering. Leaven spreads throughout whatever it is put into. This is the nature of the impure, that is why it was not included in the grain offering. Heb 7:26 26 For it was fitting for us to have such a high priest, holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners and exalted above the heavens; 1John 2:6 6 the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked. May each of us strive to remove the leaven in our lives from before the Lord and present our grain offering of pure sweet smelling savor of joyful thanskgiving to Him. 2) The peace (or fellowship) offering was an expression of gratitude and desire for fellowship with God. It was based on the blood of atonement of an unblemished male bull or female sheep or goat. This was the only offering the offerer shared in eating. This represents the fellowship and communion between God and man. To us in the Age of Grace, this represents fellowship between us and God and also fellowship with other believers. My Ryrie Study Bible notes that there is no mention of birds being used for the peace offering thus indicting that the poor were to share in the offering of those more fortunate, since they might not be able to afford a large animal. This again stresses the idea of fellowship amongst believers. May each of us take our peace offering to God, that we may find fellowship with Him and may we be willing to share our portion with our fellow believers in need. ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> (Leviticus) CHAPTER 4:1 - 6:7 ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Directing Questions -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 1 What is it that distinguishes the sin and guilt offerings from the burnt, meal, and peace offerings? See 4: 2, 13, 22, etc. Of what divine provision for our need are we here assured? Cf Lv. 17:11. 2 Notice particularly what was done with the body and with the blood of the sacrifice in the sin offering (4: 6, 7, II, 12). How do these solemn ordinances indicate God's hatred of sin, and suggest some of the fearful results that may arise out of sin? Note. The sin and guilt offerings have much in common, but the sin offering had reference rather to the person of the offender in his guilt towards God, whereas the guilt offering was an atonement for the offence especially in its relation to man. Hence the sin offering differed for different classes of persons (4: 3, 13, 22, 27); and in the guilt offering the guilty party, in addition to his offering, had also to make amends for the wrong done (5:16; 6:4,5). =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Comments from (Leviticus) Chapter 4:1 - 6:7 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -------------------------------------------- * Blenda Chao -------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------- * James Chao -------------------------------------------- Levitcus 4:1 - 6:7 "Your Sins Are forgiven" and "Rise and Walk" Today's reading is concerning God's power of forgiving sins. After we sin, we became paralyzed and become unable to walk spiritually, Matthew 9:1-8. As a convicted sinner, God holds us accountable for our sin. We are like criminals who have been tried, found guilty, and sentenced to death. Sin offering shows us Christ on the cross in the sinner's stead. "And almost all things are purified by blood according to the law, and without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness." Hebrews 9:22. The heathen brings a sacrifice to his god; the Christian accepts the sacrifice from his God. [Henrietta C. Mears] This is the difference between the offering of Cain and Abel. In Matthew 9, Jesus said to the paralytic "Have courage, child, your sins are forgiven." The scribes considered Him blasphemes. However, when the crowds saw this, they were in fear (of God) and glorified God, Who had given such authority to MEN. As godly men and women, He gives power to them to forgive sins and enable the sinners walk with God. Do you think so? Yes, I do because the Bible says so - Matthew 9:8. The Sin Offerings are for the high priest, 4:3-12; the congregation, 4:13-21; a ruler, 4:22-26; a commoner, 4:27-35; for the poor sinners, 5:7-10;11-13. -------------------------------------------- * Alvin Chao -------------------------------------------- 1) The sin offering and guilt offering were different from the other offerings we have seen to this point. They were regarding unintentional sins. They were offerings of unblemished animals: male bull or female goat for sin, ram for guilt. We are assured of the provision of Christ as the sin and guilt offerings. He was the all encompassing offering for our trespasses against God. It is necessary for atonement that blood(life) be given. Heb 9:22 Without the shedding of blood there is no remission. 2) The blood was sprinkled on the veil and poured out. The body of the animal offered in the sin offering was to be burned. These ordinances suggest that the sin permeates to the core. When the animal took on the sin of the offerrer, it needed to be purged completely. Burned in fire, to extract the impurity. It is interesting to note that with the guilt offering the penitent heart and remorse needed to be there. The walk of faith and demonstration of the changed heart needed to be present. So too with us, it is not enough to just do lip service to Christ as Saviour, we must also live the changed lives that represent Him as Lord of our lives. May each one of us strive to purge ourselves of the sin that encumbers us and to put our lives in the refiner's fire to be pure vessels, useful for service to demonstrate our changed lives with Christ as Lord and Saviour. ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> (Leviticus) CHAPTER 6:8-7:38 ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Directing Questions -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Distinction must be made between public and private offerings. In addition to the private burnt offerings of the people, there was a daily, public burnt offering morning and evening. Cf Ex 29:38-42. It is this daily sacririce that is referred to in 6:9, 12, with directions that the fire must not be allowed to go out on the altar. 1 Neither the sacrifice nor the fire was to fail. What lessons can we learn from that? Cf Heb. 6:11,12. 2 7:11-12. In the peace offering the people offered to God the spontaneous gifts of their love. What were the three kinds of peace offerings which individuals might bring? What about us? Cf Heb 13:15,16 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Comments from (Leviticus) Chapter 6:8-7:38 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -------------------------------------------- * Blenda Chao -------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------- * James Chao -------------------------------------------- Leviticus 6:8 - 7:38 "The priest who offers it for sin shall eat it, ---" 6:26 Yesterday, we discussed the concept of the power to forgive sins as stated in Matthew 9:8. We need to make it more clear on this subject because today there are a lot false teachings and practices in this area. Let us read more scripture first: When Jesus was resurrected, He came to the disciples and said to them "---'Peace be with you as the Father has sent Me, I also send you. ---- Receive the Holy Spirit, If you forgive the sins of any, their sins have been forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they have been retained." John 20:21-23. "----- whatever you shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." Matthew 16:19b The key verse is in Matthew 18:18 - "Truly I say to you, whatever you shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." NASV. This verse is translated in Recovery Version that " --- Whatever you bind on the earth shall be what HAS BEEN BOUND IN HEAVEN, and whatever you loose on the earth shall be what HAS BEEN LOOSED IN HEAVEN." Therefore, the Holy Spirit through The Church has the power to bind/loose whatever has been bound/loosed in heaven. The principle is applied in Leviticus 6:26 - "The priest who offers it for sin shall eat it. I shall be eaten in a holy place, in the court of the tent of meeting." Priests are the ones who represent God in Sin Offering and the significance of eating the offering in public is to indicate that God accepts the offering for whatever has been bound/loosed in heaven. . -------------------------------------------- * Alvin Chao -------------------------------------------- 1) Heb 6:11,12 11 And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end, 12 so that you will not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. The concept that the sacrifices and fire were not to fail are a call to perseverance. It is a call to daily taking up your cross and dying to self and putting Jesus on the throne of your life. The sacrifice(repentance) is not to fail, neither is the worship and praise(fire) to the Lord. We must daily ask for the forgiveness that only God can deliver us, and offer up our fire to the Lord as an acceptable sacrifice to Him. 2) The peace offering could be brought for 3 reasons a) as an act of thanksgiving, for answered prayer, healing, etc...b) in connection with a vow relating to a past or future favor, c) purely as a freewill offering and voluntary act. Heb 13:15,16 15 Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name. 16 And do not neglect doing good and sharing, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. Today, our peace offerings can be offering in these 3 ways still. We can offer up our desire for fellowship with God personally, demonstrate our desire for continued fellowship and peace with God, and we can bring our offerings freely to Him. May we each one express our peace offering to God - the fruit of our lips giving thanks unto the Almighty, the Creator of Heaven and Earth, the One True God. ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> (Leviticus) CHAPTER 8 ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Directing Questions -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Cf Ex 29:44 The directions for the ceremony were given in Ex 28-29 this chapter gives the account of it. 1 What is the order in which the dedication of priests and Tabernacle took place? Do you see any significance in this order? 2 In the sacrifice of the ram of ordination(i.e. of dedication to special service) what special use was made of the blood? What symbolic significance does this have? Cf Rom 6:13. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Comments from (Leviticus) Chapter 8 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -------------------------------------------- * Blenda Chao -------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------- * James Chao -------------------------------------------- Leviticus 8 - The Ordination of Priests This chapter introduced the procedures to ordain a priest: Washing, authorization, anointing and offerings. In chapters 6 and 7, we read the Laws of offering of Burnt Offering, Grain Offering, Sin Offering, Trespass Offering and Peace Offering. The ordination practice is sin offering first, than burnt offering, and a wave offering, 8:29, which is a fellowship offering, Ex. 29:22-28. The most important law is to present ourselves as a living sacrifice to God, Rom. 12:1. However, for man to approach God, only way is through Jesus, who presented Himself as the Lamb of God for us. -------------------------------------------- * Alvin Chao -------------------------------------------- 1) The Tabernacle was blessed, then Aaron and his sons were commissioned as priests for service within. 2) This chapter shows us the ordination of the priest. This is the setting apart of the ones who would be God's selected agents to administer his law to the people. The blood used in the sacrifice of the ram of ordination was specially used to anoint the priest. This was a symbolic dedication fo the ears(obedience to God - Ex 21:6) and the thumbs and toes(work for God - Ex 29:20). Rom 6:13 13 and do not go on presenting the members of your body to sin as instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. This act was a presentation of the members of the priests body for service to God. May each of us present our bodies in whole to the Lord for His service. Our ears to listen in obedience, and our hands and feet for the work that God has set before each one of us.