This Bible study is all about the offerings to God listed in Leviticus 1-3.
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The book of Leviticus starts off by saying “and the Lord called Moses.” This is a continuation of Exodus. In the last chapter of Exodus, we saw that the glory of the Lord completely filled the tabernacle. Here in Leviticus, the Lord called Moses and spoke to him in front of the tabernacle. Now that The Israelites had a designated place to worship – the tabernacle, a meeting house with God – God was able to give them regulations for sacrifices. These offerings to God were a way for the Israelites to draw near to God.
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Read all about offerings to God, before reflecting on it below.
Leviticus 1-3
The Tabernacle – setting up offerings to God
The tabernacle was a place for God to dwell among his people. In John chapter 1, we see the parallel of when Jesus came to earth and dwelt among his people. “The Word {Jesus} became flesh and made His dwelling {Tabernacled} among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14). Here we see a link between God giving the Israelites the temple, and God giving us Jesus. In the tabernacle, the Israelites came to make sacrifices to atone for their sins. In Jesus, the ultimate sacrifice has been paid for our sins.
Just as God made a way for the Israelites to come to Him, He also made a way for us. How do you draw near to God (Hebrews 4:16)?
The cost of burnt offerings to God
The first offering we read about in Leviticus is the burnt offering. These offerings to God were completely voluntary and meant to make a way to show complete devotion to God, as well as to atone for sins. When making a burn offering, the Israelite had to take an animal from their own heard – not a wild one they just caught which meant nothing to them – and bring it to the temple. The offering had to cost them something. The offering that was brought would also be inspected to make sure that it was perfect and without blemish.
Jesus is our perfect lamb without blemish. He paid the ultimate price for our sins so that we might have a relationship with God. Do you know the cost that Jesus paid for you (1 Peter 1:18-20)?
The full weight of sin
The Israelite bringing the offering would then lay his hands on the head of the bull, signifying the transfer of his sins to the animal. The one making the offering would be the one to kill the animal. Then the priest would then sprinkle the blood on the altar, making atonement and covering the sins of the Israelite. The animal was completely consumed by the fire, just as we should be completely consumed by God.
Just as the Israelite would place his full weight on the sacrificial offering, we place the full weight of our sin on Jesus. What does it mean that Jesus bore the weight of your sin (1 Peter 2:24)?
Grain offerings to God
The second offering that God gave instructions for the Israelites to make was the grain offering. This was an offering of fellowship with God, meant to show thanksgiving. The grain could come in many forms, it could be baked or fried, but it must be of the finest flour. Once again, we are reminded to only give our best to God. The grain offering was to be mixed with olive oil, which was a picture of the coming Holy Spirit. However, The grain offering could have no yeast or honey in it. Yeast represented pride because of the way it puffed up the whole dough, and honey was a sweetener that offered no benefit; it was merely attractive.
God wants a pure offering of thanksgiving, just as He wants us to offer ourselves as a living sacrifice, not conforming to the patterns of this world with pride and outward attractiveness. Do you offer yourself with thanksgiving (Romans 12:1-2)?
Bringing your soul before God
The Hebrew word used in Leviticus 2:1 for “anyone” is נֶפֶשׁ, or nep̄eš (transliteration). This word is used to describe “anyone who breathes, the inner being of man, or soul.” It is no coincidence that the least costly of the voluntary offerings – that which requires only flour and not an animal sacrifice – is the only one which used this word. When someone gives their only meal as a thanksgiving offering to God, they are offering up every part of themselves. It is a true sacrifice, given with pure sincerity, meant to draw nearer to God.
Do you offer all of yourself to God (Galatians 2:20)?
Fellowship offerings to God
The third offering is the fellowship offering, which was made to enjoy peace with God. For this offering, the priest would cut out the fat and burn that as a pleasing aroma to God. But the priest and the one making the offering would both eat the muscle of the animal. The fat was considered a delicacy in many of the cultures, so the Israelites were giving the best of the animal to God. While doing this, they were to share in fellowship with God. In the same way, we are to give God our best, doing whatever we do for the glory of God.
While we do not need to offer sacrifices day after day, we are still called to live in peace with God. Do you enjoy peace with God (Romans 5:1)?
Reflect on offerings to God
Each of these three offerings were a pleasing aroma to God. Sins were atoned for, making it possible to draw near to God. Thanksgiving was given to God with purity and sincerity, not with pride or outward attractiveness. Peace and fellowship were enjoyed with God. With all of these sacrifices, the best was given to God.
Do you give your best to God?
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