In the old testament, the shedding of the blood of the animal is part of the rituals commanded by God to be performed by the priest. This rituals are called "Sacrificial System"
To help you understand all of this, I might as well give you an insight with regards to this sacrificial system which was written in the 4 books written by moses called pentateuch.
You see - The practice of performing sacrifices was not a new idea introduced at mount Sinai. We find it with CAIN and ABEL as they offer the MINHAH or meal offering. Genesis 4:3 - in Abraham’s day, God requested abraham that he take his son Isaac up to the mountain and sacrifice him. Abraham later on learned that ‘God will provide a sacrifice. Genesis 22 - then later during the time of Moses the Passover was a sacrifice, which pointed to God the Redeemer.
Exodus 12 is the details of the sacrificial system, in Exodus and Leviticus were a reorganizing of the elements introduced earlier in Israel’s history.
What was new?
• The priesthood,
• The sanctuary and
• The law
In order to make possible the access of the sinner to God, now that they had become a theocracy, a holy nation, the sacrificial system was instituted. They served a two-fold end. The only ceremonial clean animals and vegetables could be used.
• ANIMAL (oxen, sheep, goats, pigeon)
• CROPS (corn, wine, oils)
It did not have power to remove sin, but was typical of the one great sacrifice of Christ, and to him it pointed forward. It is noteworthy that when the 3 main offerings were offered together, the sin offering always preceded the burnt offering, and burnt then peace offerings. Thus, the order of the symbolizing sacrifice was the order of the symbolized graces, namely;
• Atonement
• Sanctification
• Mystical union and fellowship
Procedure (Performing Sacrifice)
In all the animal sacrifices of the Mosaic Law there were Six (6) important acts.
1. The presentation of a perfect sacrifice at the sanctuary door. This was done by, the SACRIFICER himself, as his personal act.
2. The laying on of hands. The Sacrificer leaned or pressed his hands upon the victim’s head. The laying on of hand (Lev 16:21; Num 27:18,20; Deut 34:9) dedicated the animal to God, and made it the Sacrificer representative and substitute. (Num 8:10; Lev 1:4)
3. The slaughtering of the animal. The Sacrificer himself slew his sacrifice at the north side of the altar, and thus actually carried out the dedication of God, which he had ceremonially expressed by the laying on of hands. The latter custom was for the Levites or Priest to slaughter the victim.
4. The pouring out or sprinkling of the blood. The Priest collected the blood of the animal in a vessel, and applied it in various ways and places according to the nature of the sacrifice. It was the priest office to make the atonement (Lev 4:36) and they made it by the blood (Ex 30:10; Lev 8:15,16; 16:16; 17:11). This signifies the obliterated sins.
5. Burning the sacrifice on the altar. After the priest had properly prepared the sacrificial victim, he offered it (The whole of the fat only) upon the altar of burnt offering. This act symbolizes the consecration of the worshipper to Jehovah. The burning of certain parts of the animal upon the altar was to be a sweet smelling odor to the Lord (Eph 5:2).
6. The Sacrificial Meal (In case of the peace offering only). The fat having been burnt, and the priest pieces removed the rest of the flesh was eaten by the Sacrificer and his household, and the poorer Levites at the Tabernacle. This sacrificial meal, represent the mystical union between Jehovah and his people and the joy resulting from it.
The ritual of the 3 different kinds of animal sacrifices was identical in regards to
• The presentation
• Laying of hands, and
• Slaughtering by the Offerer himself.
The differences related to the application of the blood.
• The blood of the sin (Not Trespass) offering was smeared upon the horns of the altar of burnt offering in ordinary cased it was sprinkled against the veil 7 times and put upon the horn of the ALTAR OF INCENSE, of incense in the sin offerings of the high priest and whole congregation. It was also sprinkled on the front of the MERCY SEAT in the sin offering on the Day of Atonement. The remainder of the blood was poured out at the bottom of the altar of burnt offering.
• The blood of the Trespass, Burnt, and Peace offering was sprinkled on the altar of burnt offering round about. This symbolizes sin expiated and the barrier between God and man removed.
BURNT OFFERING (Burnt Offering Altar)
The burnt offering got its Hebrew name from the idea of the smoke of the sacrifice ascending to heaven. ‘OLAH’ that which ascend, it is the upward or God-ward offering. The characteristic rite was the burning of the whole animal on the altar for sinfulness in general (Lev 1:9; Deut 33:10). The special idea was the complete self-surrender and devotion of the Sacrificer to Jehovah. At the house of God, the perpetual fire on the altar and the lamb offered up daily at morning and evening were to be the symbols of man’s side of an unceasing communion with God.
The burnt offering might be made with male bull, rams, or he-goats without blemish, Turtle doves or pigeons of either sex in cases of poverty. The whole of the burnt offering, after the priest removed the skin, was burnt upon the altar.
What does it teach?
1. It was an offering of the best that one could bring, the more costly animal the male.
2. Laying the hands on the animal expresses the worshipers intimate association with the victim
3. It was for the purpose of atonement of sin
4. The preparing and burning of the victim, reveals the orderly thoroughness, which God requires.
PEACE OFFERING
The Peace Offering also goes by various names, which seem to have different forms of the peace offering. It is known as the Fellowship, Votive, Freewill or Thank offering.
The peace offering might be made with
• Oxen
• Sheep or
• Goats without blemish, (Male or Female)
The Fat of the peace offering was burnt upon the altar. The wave offering is the priest portion of the peace offering, which comprised the breast.
The HEAVE offering is the officiating priest portion of the peace offering, which comprised the thigh. These were eaten by, their sons and their daughters in a clean place. The rest was given back to the Sacrificer for them with their families and the Levites to eat at the Sanctuary in a sacred feast. As the name suggests, the offerer was in a state of peace with God. Reconciled by sacrifice, the offerer and his family were allowed to feast on most of the flesh of the offering.
This was the peace of communion, which involved a communion meal with God (Luke 14:15; Ps 23:5; Matt 22:1). It was also used to celebrate family anniversaries. The worshipper and those, whom he had invited, were required to be ceremonially clean, for they were eating before the Lord.
There seem to have been 3 different kinds of PEACE OFFERINGS, known by the name of;
• Thank offering, the most common which were grateful acknowledgements of mercies received and were offered on festivals (Lev 22:18,29)
• Votive offering, the payment of promised vows (Lev 23:19; 1Ki 8:63)
• Freewill offering, made freely without compulsion
Peace offering of this kind were offered along with burnt offering in times of trouble to obtain the needed blessing (Judges 20:26; 21:4; 1Sam 13:9; 2Sam 24:25. The joy and happiness of the occasion did not lessen its holiness. What it teaches?
• Fellowship with God
• Fellowship in His service
• Fellowship with one another
SIN OFFERING
The fundamental idea of the SIN and TRESPASS offering was atonement, expiation. They implied that an interruption of friendly relations between Jehovah and the Sacrificer had taken place. There was a sin, or some uncleanness akin to a sin, which needed covering, atoning for, before fellowship with Jehovah could be renewed. While the burnt offering dealt with sinfulness in general. The sin offering dealt with, an individuals overt transgressions, sins committed with a high hand, and for which the punishment was death could not be atoned for under the Mosaic Law (Num 15:30, 31)
Atonement could be made for;
• Unconscious, unintentional sins. Lev 4:2, 22, 27; 5:15, 17
• Non-capital crimes (e.g. Theft), after punishment had been endured Lev 6:2, 6; 19:20-22
• Crimes, which a man voluntarily confessed and for which he made (If possible) compensation. Lev 5:5
The sacrificial animal used varied with rank
GROUPSACRIFICE USED
High priest, congregation… …Young bull
A ruler… …Male goat
A commoner… …Ewe or lamb
A poor person… …2 Turtle doves / pigeons
Sometime 1/10 of ephah
of fine flour
The blood was handled with special ceremony. For the sin of the High priest and the whole congregation, the blood was sprinkled with the finger 7 times before the veil (Once a year within the veil) then part was put on the horns of the incense altar in the sanctuary and the rest poured out at the base of the altar of burnt offering. The fat, kidneys and liver of he Sin (and Trespass) offering, was burnt upon the altar. The carcass was taken outside the camp to a clean place where the ashes of other sacrifices were poured out, and there it was destroyed by fire. The remainder of the flesh was eaten in a holy place by the priest and his sons.
TRESPASS OFFERING
Trespass or guilt offering were a particular kind of sin offerings. All sins were transgressions of the laws of the covenant; but certain sins might be regarded as a robbery or a violation of right, or an injury, whether in relation to God or Man by depriving him of some just claim and right. In either case these sins were regarded as breaches of the covenant between Jehovah and his people requiring compensation. This compensation was made ethically, by the trespass offering Lev 5:15, and materially, by making restitution. The amount defrauded was to be repaid plus 20%. In certain cases, this compensation was made by, suffering punishment. The trespass offerings were graduated according to the position of the offerer.
The trespass offering was a ram (except in the cases of LEPERS and NAZARITES, when it was a lamb). The priest sprinkled the blood around the altar. Then the animal went to the priest for food. In the case of the cleansed leper some of the blood was then applied to the tip of his (lepers) right ear and to his right thumb and his right big toe.
The healed leper had deprived God of service while, a leper required a trespass offering (Lev 14:12-18). Other violations include eating unlawfully of the “Holy Things” (Lev 5:4-19), violation of property rights, cheating in deposits, robbery or oppression, failing to report lost property or false swearing.
In each case the guilty party must;
• Confess his sins
• Make full restoration plus the fine of 1/5
• Offer the guilt offering
GRAIN OFFERING
The grain offering goes by various names in the scriptures. It is sometimes called the meal, cereal, drink, or libation offering. This offering was offered along with the burnt and peace (but not sin) offerings.
A MINCHAH was frequently used of gifts made to men (Gen 43:1) or the tribute due to a superior. The essential material of the MINCHAH, were corn and wine. The corn was either corn in the ear, fine flour, or unleavened cakes. Oil was never absent from the MINCHAH, but whether as an essential or accompanying element is doubtful. It was always seasoned with salt (Lev 2:13), and was offered along with incense usually frankincense. This would take the form of baked loaves, or wafers. No leaven or honey as fermenting substances, were allowed in its preparation.
The MINCHAH could not be offered with a sin offering land on the other hand no burnt or peace offering was complete without it. A portion of the MINCHAH called the memorial, was placed on the altar of burnt offering, the remainder was treated like the remainder of the sin offering (viz. eaten by the priest in a holy place). The wine was probably poured out on the sacrifice, or at the base of the altar. A handful was burnt on the altar by the priest, for a sweet savour and then the rest was his to be eaten in a holy place.
Un-bloody offerings, of the nature of a MINCHAH, were offered in the Holy Place on its 3 pieces of furniture, (viz. Oil in its CANDLESTICK, Incense on its ALTAR OF INCENSE, Loaves with incense and a drink offering on its TABLE OF SHEWBREAD)
DRINK OFFERING
The drink offering consisted of wine. It never accompanied the sin or guilt offering. God requires of his worshippers not only the costly decision of total self dedication pictured in the costly sacrifice of the burnt offering, but, with it the offering of common ingredient of life. The drink offering teaches that God requires total dedication of all we have, both the exciting and the mundane.
EFFICACY OF SACRIFICES
Only sins committed unintentionally could be atoned for by sacrifices and only after the offender had come to the realization of his fault. (could apply to some sins committed consciously, dishonest dealing failure to speak of sin).
But sins of the upraised hand or high handed sins could no be atoned for by sacrificial ritual. For these only the death penalty would due. These would be classified as any violation of the Ten Commandments or rejection of the Covenant.
Sometimes forgiveness could be granted to one with a broken and contrite heart even when the offences (Adultery and murder) were too great for atonement by sacrifice. Examples of these would be David who committed murder and adultery but who also repented (2Sam 4:1) and Moses pleading for the people after the golden calf incident (Ex 32:4). True repentance brings real forgiveness. The outward act of sacrifice was always to include the inward attitude of contrition (Isaiah 66:2-1; Jeremiah 6:20; 7:22-24)
The sacrifices themselves had no power to forgive or remove sin. Their purpose was in pointing to Christ who alone is the sacrifice for sin and who can grant forgiveness and deliverance from the wrath of God. The meal and drink offerings were used in the daily food of the people and offered to God in worship. They owe their efficacy however to the animal sacrifices as it was on this basis that the people approached God for acceptance.
2006-08-17 02:24:49
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answer #7
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answered by NIGHT_WATCH 4
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