DO IT RIGHT. Leviticus 7 When a believer acts, we must remember that we are to be holy because God is holy. So not only are we separated “unto” God, but our actions should also reflect that holiness. The things we do and the things we offer should be holy. It was no casual walk to the Tabernacle when a man brought his trespass offering. There was an order, carefully designed by God Himself, regarding how this serious problem had to be addressed. God's law for anything He directs us to do is holy. It is not our place to add to, subtract from, or change what God's Word says.
All the blood belonged to the Lord. The life of the flesh is in the blood, and it should not be eaten. When an animal was sacrificed as a trespass offering, its blood was poured out in designated places and sprinkled where God instructed. Practically, the blood carries everything in its stream—good or bad—to all parts of the body. The offering symbolized that the life of an innocent, sinless victim was given to God on behalf of the guilty sinner who had sinned before Him. Sin offerings were necessary to address the consequences of sin, no matter what type it was.
A burnt offering was entirely dedicated to God, except for the skin, which could be seen outwardly. The skin belonged to the officiating priest. What is visible on the outside isn't what matters most to God. The skin can be shiny and clean, but what truly counts is what is unseen. "The things that are seen are temporary, but the things that are unseen are eternal." Our Lord Jesus Christ appeared as a man when He was among people. What He was inside is what made Him such a blessing to those who believed in Him and caused those who would not believe to feel such hatred. In His person and character, the light that shone from Him in the world exposed the darkness in the hearts of unbelievers.
The meat (gift) offering was given to God as fine flour mixed with oil and frankincense, symbolizing the virtues of Christ's character. The portion made into bread of one kind or another belonged to the priest who presented the offering, and any part he didn't eat was shared with other priests. When we present to the Father our thoughts, praise, and worship regarding His Son, we are blessed ourselves. Moreover, others who hear are able to share in that blessing and say, "Amen," as we give our thanks. Interestingly, each observing priest received an equal share.
Three types of peace offerings were shared. Each person bringing a peace offering was to bring their own; nothing was done by proxy. When God had done something very special and important, like when a sick person recovered or something significant was lost and then found, people would bring a peace offering to show their appreciation and thanks. The peace offering was then made, and eating the same foods given to God expressed fellowship with Him.
One person might bring a peace offering as an act of thanksgiving. Another could be recovering from illness or escaping danger. It was fitting to present an offering of gratitude to God whenever there was deliverance from trouble, acknowledging Him as the one who blessed the person giving the offering. Another individual might bring a peace offering for a vow made when a promise in prayer or a pledge was fulfilled. Making an alliance is a kind of vow that must be kept. The person who brought the freewill peace offering didn't specify any particular reason for offering. It was a voluntary act—a spontaneous expression of gratitude to God for who He is and what He means to the giver. It is the fruit of appreciation, praising God for His glory and honor alone.
Accompanying the animal of the peace offering was a variety of cakes. One of each type was brought and given to the priest to offer along with the sacrificial animal. If the offering was for thanksgiving, the priest’s portion would be eaten the same day the offering was made. If it was for the fulfillment of a vow or a voluntary act of appreciation (free will), it could be eaten on the day it was offered and the day after as well, but any leftovers after that had to be burned.
Our times of fellowship with God and our communion should never become a dull, lifeless review of past experiences. True communion with God must stay fresh, and our fellowship requires continuous nourishment through the Word of God and our communication in prayer, thought, and meditation on divine matters.
In every offering, all the fat belonged to God and was burned as a pleasing aroma to Him. Fat was never to be part of the children of Israel's diet, nor was blood. These substances pollute mankind by their very nature. At the same time, they speak to us of God's great blessings—the energy and enthusiasm of eternal life enjoyed by God, which was seen in Christ. The life of the flesh is in the blood, but this has no part in the eternal life that God gives us. When Christ was offered for us, the perfection of His Person made our freedom from the effects of our sin possible because He gave Himself as an atonement for our souls. This was for God's satisfaction, and we are not to return to that life again.
When the officiating priest picked up the breast of the animal being offered and waved it toward the altar, symbolizing that the offering was a sacrifice to God, then waved it back, it represented the blessings we receive from God. The priest could keep that for himself. The same applies to the right thigh that was lifted and presented to God. The priest was able to keep that for himself and his family. The waving of the breast and the thigh as a “heave” offering symbolizes appreciation for God's affection toward us and the power He gives us.
The Father loved us and gave His Son so that God's righteous justice (propitiation) could be transferred from us and placed on His Son. "The Son of God loved me and gave Himself for me," and the love of the Spirit is continuously demonstrated to us. God has poured out His affection on us. The power of God has been revealed to us through the Gospel, and now, through that divine strength He has provided, we can live for Him.
We see types of Christ as we study these offerings. From our perspective in God's dealings with humanity, we have special privileges because we trust in the facts of His life, death, resurrection, and ascension through faith, and we worship Him for what He has done. Those who lived before His first coming looked forward by faith to see the promised One, and they could understand much about Him through the descriptions in the types and offerings they presented.
Reflecting on what others observed is a key way I learn. Looking ahead to promises helps me avoid temptation. Offerings serve as visible lessons, showing people of faith that believing in what is yet to come is real, even if it hasn’t happened yet. By studying the offerings, we see typical teachings about God's Son. Standing in an allegory and watching those who brought offerings to the Lord, I recognize that their faith is the same as mine—looking back and then forward. We see that the Old Testament saints believed by faith in the reason for the shedding of blood.
We often overlook what a holy God despises. Sin to us frequently seems normal instead of a heavy weight that can lead a soul to hell unless it is forgiven. Holiness remains difficult to grasp until we hear from God in heaven. Death for sin was established at the start of humankind, and that truth has not changed. It doesn't matter what has been done or a person's background or name. Righteousness and holiness, both vital, go hand in hand. God alone possesses both, but He is willing to give them to people.
By faith, the offeror brought his sacrifice to the place God designated. When he offered what was required by law, the consequences of guilt were fulfilled. He looked forward as we do now and saw that forgiveness is complete when a holy God and sinful man meet at the sacrifice of Christ.