GUILT OFFERING. Leviticus 5 As I read the scriptures and visualize the people of God from the past in my mind, I wonder how God perceives and knows each person, and why they are coming to the Tabernacle. As an observer, I cannot tell whether one person leading an animal has the same purpose as the others. But I know that man looks at the "outward appearance,' but God looks at the heart. Some bring sweet savor offerings as they enjoy God and His grace and mercy toward them. Others, becoming aware of the sin principle within them, are bringing the sin offering.
Some facts must be told; not sharing them is a sin. The harmful effects of withholding information stem from the fact that silence can sometimes be a serious crime, even when we're caught off guard. Sinfulness, no matter its form, is unclean in every case. Trying to downplay what God says is wrong pulls us farther away, until we become immune to that sin.
The extent to which they recognized their need to be righteous before God determined whether they brought a bullock, female goat, or lamb for the sin offering. To the attentive observer, those with downcast eyes and a sad expression were approaching the Tabernacle. He may have heard an oath and said nothing. He may have touched the carcass of an unclean animal or some uncleanness of a person. For some reason, he may have lost his temper and said things he shouldn't have. He is bringing the trespass (guilt) offering because he has sinned too grievously. He may not have realized it was wrong, or perhaps he did. Either way, he had to bring a trespass offering. Ignorance was no excuse. A specific sin that can be named, whether against God or man, had to be addressed by the trespass offering.
The concealment of evil is sin. Any association with evil, in any form, is sin. Wrong speech also constitutes sin. The impact of sin can obstruct the work of God and man, so it must be addressed. Casually overlooking sin on our part is unacceptable. We are told, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness." Missing the mark is one thing, and that is dealt with in the sin offering. Sometimes, we may not fully understand the damage caused by certain sins in ignorance until we are explicitly taught about them.
Whenever sin occurs, our conscience makes us aware that we are guilty of something that condemns our hearts. To sin against holy things, to some people, doesn't seem very serious enough to make us stop, confront it, and turn away from it. Atonement is one part of the trespass offering that was directed toward God. Restitution is another part of the trespass that is intended for mankind.
Innocence is not a reason for pardon. Wrong is still wrong whether we know it or not. Our heart may plan guilt. Our conscience senses guilt. God knows when there is guilt and does not deal with it just in any way we might choose. "There is a way back to God..." He does not ignore sin because what we do to others, deliberately or not, still affects them and our relationship with God. As I watched, I could see the trespass wasn't measured against a scale. It wasn't the kind of sin or the degree of sin as to its effect - it was the act. Those bringing the guilt offering were not measuring the amount of guilt. Guilt results from sin, no matter how great or small we may think it is.
The person who realized what was wrong brought a female lamb or goat to the priest to be offered. The poor person who understood his mistake could bring two doves or pigeons, one for the sin committed and one for a burnt offering. If he had no access to even two birds, he could bring unmixed flour to offer for his sin. No one could be excused from facing sin and dealing with it. The person who sinned against holy things had to bring a ram without any defect. It had to be perfect. Atonement was necessary to cover that sin so that trespass would not be charged to them.
Why is this correct, and the other thing wrong? Who makes these rules for us? God Himself knows what’s along the path of life we must travel. Holy things were set aside for the priests' use alone. Other people who made vows they failed to keep had to make sacrifices to atone for sin. Telling the truth and living it before others is an obligation I am expected to fulfill. I must commit now to sharing the things I know and have neglected to address, especially the truths entrusted to me. It is not enough for me to understand what is right; others need to hear from me what may seem small to people. In God’s sight, it is crucial because, like leaven, sin grows.
Christ provided that redemption for us. God is glorified by who Christ is, by what He has done in creation, in His life, and now by what He did when He died on the cross—redeeming what was lost and bringing it back to God. Now, those trespasses are not counted against us. The atonement Christ made has satisfied God. The person who brought the ram would see that judgment is now past. The rights that were once his are restored. But that was not all that was involved.
In the trespass offering, restitution must be made alongside the guilt offering that is burned. There are consequences to sin that cannot be avoided; they must be faced. The ram served as a symbol of Christ in His testimony and death for sin. The transgressor brought that offering. The priest received it, and through it, atonement was made for the transgressor. God was satisfied and now able, justly, to grant forgiveness.
But others were affected as well, and their claims needed to be addressed. The harm caused by that sin had to be fully paid for by the transgressor. The amount was based on the value of the money used to measure the worth of a thing, service, or event. In addition to returning the full amount, an extra twenty percent was added to the restitution. In essence, the Lord Jesus contributed far more on our behalf when He redeemed us to God.
We face the same issues today. Specific sins must be confronted and confessed before God. We are grateful that "The blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, cleanseth us from all sin." It is crucial for us to make amends for everything caused by our sin, whether we were aware of it or not. Every action we take has fallout. A ram had to be offered to atone for the holy things. Another ram was needed to atone for things we were unaware of. I might think something is acceptable because I decide so, but that doesn't necessarily make it right. It is crucial that we do not act without carefully considering whether it is God's will and how He wants us to proceed. Other people may be harmed by what seems minor to us.
The consequences of a transgression are long-lasting. Dark marks are embedded on the soul. To be right with God and free from attack by the devil, the world, or my conscience, confession allows God to grant forgiveness rightly. We should be grateful for Christ's sacrifice on our behalf! His atoning work addresses the problem. I take advantage of that benefit when I face the issue, confess my sin, and trust Him to forgive and cleanse me. Any offense resulting from my actions, by responding to those affected and going beyond simply repaying, I can make full restitution, and the trespass offering is effective.