Leviticus 4:1-6:7 Just What IS An "Accidental" Sin?

“When a person sins by accident ….”

The sin offering was brought by an Israelite in covenant relationship with the Lord … it has to do with sins committed unconsciously or unintentionally,” my commentary said.  It suggested that “sin through ignorance” seems to mean more than lack of knowledge of the sin.  It probably meant that the sin was not willful, deliberate, or done in defiance.  The person who brought a sin offering was acknowledging  that he had sinned unintentionally through weakness or negligence.”

The big thing I read was this:  “There was NO sacrifice for willful sin; the death penalty had to be exacted.”

I tried to explore the difference between unintentional and willful sins.  In chapter five, for instance, certain types of “accidental” sins are listed:  Not testifying in court when ordered to; touching something unclean; making a promise before the Lord without thinking; doing something against the holy things; doing something the Lord has commanded not to be done, whether you know it or not; lying about what happened, stealing something or cheating someone; and making a promise before the Lord and not meaning it.

I’m trying to wrap my mind around just how those were considered “accidental” sins versus willful, deliberate, and defiant sin and rebellion.  The only key seemed to be that phrase “acknowledging that he had sinned unintentionally through weakness …”

My commentary said, “Some suggest that the sin offering speaks of Christ dealing with what we ARE, whereas the trespass offering pictures Him dealing with what we have DONE.” 

He knows we are dust.  He knows we are sin-infected.  It sounds like, knowing our particular weakness, He also knows we are prone to fall to that weakness, never intending to sin.  We played into our weakness.  That would seem to indicate that willful sin would fall more into the nature of premeditation, with forethought and malice, as they say on TV.    For instance, someone who views pornography that pops up on a screen might be very different from someone who decides to subscribe to several pornographic magazines.

Father, I’m trying to understand this.  I want to think that when weakness overcomes us You understand and call it unintentional, but I don’t want to minimize my own role in sin.  If I know that what I’m considering leads me to sin against You if I continue, it seems that I’m being willful by continuing.  Please help me to know how Your heart sees this, for that’s what really matters.

Your Brother In Christ,

Gary Ford