Leviticus 6 STANDING AND STATE As I watch in my mind those living in Old Testament times and wonder how they would know what they could do to be in a right standing before God, I could see the value and the reason for those visible offerings they were to bring and offer to God. The burnt offering gave the understanding for those who saw by faith, that a perfect animal, suiting the offeror's appreciation, was a type of Christ, the only Perfect Man. One representative, the God-Man, gave Himself completely to God. Because of His righteousness, those who believe in Him and put their faith in Him without holding anything back, are "made the righteousness of God in Him." When the priest who had put on His priestly robes making him acceptable in the presence of God for us, removed the ashes of the burnt offering. That was evidence of a finished work. There is nothing that could have been done then, or that we can do now, that adds to a perfect sacrifice. Then the priest changed his clothes and took those ashes outside the camp to a clean place. The offeror who loved the Lord would see that this separate place is a special place of remembrance. God has accepted that perfect sacrifice - and in faith, perhaps as seeing "through a glass darkly," he would see I am accepted in that sacrifice. It is a testimony of one who loves the Lord.
In a practical sense, for me I see that because of "the mercies of God," I should offer myself "a living sacrifice, holy acceptable unto God which is my reasonable (priestly) service." That will keep me separate from the world and not willing to be poured into its mold. That offering will let me experience what is God's will for me and motivate me to appreciate my position in Christ - and live accordingly. I am to go forth unto Him, "without the camp, bearing His reproach."
Then as I consider one who brings the offering of grain that has been ground into fine flour to give to God as a meat offering, I believe the sincere-hearted offeror would understand by faith, that "every good and perfect gift comes from above." He wants to recognize before God that He is the source of our blessings here on earth. Christ offered Himself in His perfections for us. We now have "all things in Christ to enjoy." The Lord truly "loved His neighbor as Himself," and expects the same from us. The fine flour of the meal offering was first put on the burnt offering for God to enjoy. Then the bread made from the grain offering was eaten in the court of the house of the Lord - not outside. This unleavened bread was the food of the priests who drew near to God and was able to partake of that same offering.
There is no doubt that when we offer to God in our praise, thanksgiving and worship, our thoughts of the Lord Jesus Christ, it is His perfections, His character, His life that are important to God - and to us. Our remembrance meeting is to remember Him and make a public proclamation of His death. The value of His sacrificial work is in the value of His Person. The offering is what is important. "He was holy, harmless, undefiled and separate from sinners."
Another person comes with his offering and I notice there is joy and a sense of excitement in that person. He may have received some special blessing from God or it could be that he had been enjoying fellowship with others and realized the basis of that fellowship was God. He knows he is accepted by God because of grace that was shown to him, and he wants to express his gratitude to God. So, he brings the best offering he can to share in fellowship with God, the priest and partake of it himself. According to his ability and/or apprehension, he brings a bull, goat or lamb and watches as the fat and those parts that are for God are burned as a sweet savor to Him. Then both the priest and the offeror are able to eat of the flesh of that offering that expresses the fellowship they have because of that offering. All three are enjoying together the effect of God's grace in Christ.
In a similar way we bring our offering to God, and we read that "with such sacrifices God is well-pleased." The gift of gratitude the Philippian believers gave to Paul was called, "an odor of a sweet smell. A sacrifice acceptable unto God." From the Lord's view this is a work of faith and labor of love. He said when He was here regarding what we give as an expression of appreciation, "I was hungry and ye gave Me meat; I was thirsty and ye gave Me drink..." As far as we are involved in this act of fellowship ourselves, there is joy in giving that may be greater than the joy the grateful receiver gets. Paul said when he was sacrificed, "I joy and rejoice in you all." He actually was able to rejoice in his suffering for the sake of the Gospel. There is real joy when we experience fellowship with God and His people.
I see one, in my mind’s eye, with a sense of trepidation and a downcast countenance coming to the gate of the Tabernacle with his offering - the sin or the trespass offering. In the case of the sin offering he has learned what he thought didn't make any difference to anyone - actually does. God knows, and even though the man may not have realized how serious the sins of ignorance are, it still has to be paid for. Our state before God has to be addressed. This was not deliberate rebellion because there was no sacrifice for that. "Stubbornness is as idolatry, and rebellion and the sin of witchcraft." That was dealt with by the death penalty. When one brought the sin offering, he brought a sinless substitute that would be the victim for sin and die for that sin.
To us that means Christ "has once suffered for sin, the Just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God." Now we are to "arm ourselves" with that same attitude and willingness to suffer in order to do the will of God if that is necessary. When we focus our minds on Christ, we will "make no provision for the flesh." To us the teaching of the sin offering is made plain, "I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless, I live..." The "world is crucified to me..." The man who brought the sin offering would go home with the assurance he was forgiven.
Another person comes with the burden of known guilt upon him and he brings the ram for his trespass offering. The law has been broken and he knows it. The offering he brings is part of his responsibility. He had been trusted but had failed in fulfilling that trust. He may have robbed another person in some way or another. He may have found something another person had lost and had lied about it, or engaged in some immoral activity. He had to make full restitution so he brought what was needed to the priest to pay what was lost by his trespass, and added to it twenty percent more of its full value. Then his ram was brought, his hand was placed on the animal's head and it was sacrificed for his guilt. The same thing had to be done if he had committed a trespass against another person. Restitution for wrong was necessary in order to bring the trespass offering and have it accepted.
Christ did die for us, but He also restored what had been lost through our sins. What God should have received from us - obedience, service, worship, praise and glory we did not give - Christ did give for us. What we had lost - peace, fellowship with God, and joy in Him - He restored and we are far better off now than what man had even before Adam fell into sin. Christ is not only "the Just," but He is "the Justifier of him who believes in Jesus." How wonderful it is that He is "faithful and just to forgive us our sins!"
They come, conscious of the holy place they are now approaching. No mockers nor jokers when this step of faith they are taking. They are bringing what God Himself demands, not of his own making - They are bringing their offering to God.
For gratitude there is still an order, not just a song and dance. The offering of Christ was Himself was not by man's design nor chance. God alone knew the value; He did not give it a passing glance - The burnt offering was all for God.
In order for there to be fellowship with God, there was evidence of grace. The offeror brought the flour, all the bread was eaten in that place - Where God dwelt with His people and the path of faith they trace - Our fellowship is based on the Christ of God.
Peace is made and relief brings grateful appreciation. We rejoice with our God and the Author of our salvation. That peace is such that we commit ourselves in consecration - To the One who made our peace with God.
The sin offerings for things we know and don't know Demand a righteous judgment before we farther go. The Lord Jesus paid that price in full while here below - Now we are accepted through the Son of God.
"Holy, Righteous Father, please keep me from ever treating sin lightly as if it had no serious consequences. May my faith in Thee and the experiences of grace I enjoy daily, draw from my heart the sacrifices that are due to Thee. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen."