Leviticus 4 & 5 -- Which Sins Could They Offer Sacrifices For?

God gave Moses elaborate sets of instructions for the offering of sacrifices for the removal of sin.  The real catch in all of it, however, was that they “focused on some violation of the law that was done without deliberate intent … They had become defiled or disobedient and didn’t realize it.  However, ignorance doesn’t cancel guilt … Once their sin was known, it had to be confessed and dealt with.”  David called them secret faults, meaning “sins I don’t know about in my own life,” my commentary explained.

After reading all of this, an alarm bell starts ringing in our heads as it finally hits us:  “No sacrifice was provided for people who committed high-handed deliberate sins in the full light of the law of God!”  Their only hope was the mercy of God.  In other words, anyone who knew something was a sin, thought about it, and did it anyway had no offering available to remove that deliberate sin!

An important part of the process was the offender laying hands on the animal about to be sacrificed.  This amounted to the sinner identifying with the sacrifice – effectively owning up to the sin.  Today, we also have to identify with our sacrifice – Jesus Christ in His death on the cross.

I also took note that the sin had the effect of bringing blood into the place of worship.  I think that shows how our sin impacts the church.  Also, the position of leadership demanded a costlier sacrifice for those committing sins.  “With greater privilege comes greater responsibility,” my commentary said.  Even for those not in positions of leadership, the economic status of the offender determined the costliness of the sacrifice.  “It is a very costly thing for people to commit sin and for God to cleanse sin,” my commentary said, and I think too often we find ourselves wanting to get off too cheaply for sins we’ve committed which cost God the life of His dear Son.

Father, please help me to envision that incredible cost as I’m being tempted to sin.  Remind me that each sin I choose to commit has been covered by Jesus’ death on the cross, but help me to visualize every extra hammering of the nails that were driven into His body that my potential sin would be necessitating.  Help me to always consider how my sins will hurt You and hurt others.  Lead me to true repentance when I fail You and sin.

Your Brother In Christ,

Gary Ford