The Burnt Offering

Leviticus 1:1-17, 6:8-13

• Leviticus was written for the priests and Levites of Israel

• The key verse is Leviticus 11:44 “ye shall be holy; for I am holy”

• New Testament version of this verse is “Be ye holy; for I am holy” I Peter 1:14-15

• The book of Leviticus is quoted or referred to over 100 times in the New Testament

• The book of Leviticus presents us with a holy God, a holy priesthood, a holy people, a holy land, and a holy Saviour

• This offering expresses our devotion and dedication to the Lord

• This symbolizes our putting our all on the altar and holding back nothing 1:9--burn all

• Romans 12:1-2 challenges us to be living sacrifices

1. The ritual

2. The sacrifice

3. A male animal from the herd 1:3-10

4. Or from the flock 1:10-14

5. Or it could be a bird 1:14-17

6. The bird was an offering that even the poor could afford 12:8

7. A bird is what Mary and Joseph took when they dedicated the baby Jesus Luke 2:21-24

8. The process

9. The worshipper had to bring the sacrifice to the door of the tabernacle 1:3

10. There was to always be a fire burning on the brazen altar 6:13

11. The priest would examine the sacrifice to be sure that it was without blemish 22:20-24

12. Only the best is good enough for the Lord Malachi 1:6-14

13. Don't forget that Jesus Christ was a sacrifice without spot or blemish I Peter 1:19

14. Don't forget that He gave Himself in total dedication

15. No one took His life, He laid it down John 10:17

16. The obedience of one makes many righteous Romans 5:19

17. Jesus was offered once for all Hebrews 10:10

18. The worshipper that came to make an offering laid his hand on the sacrifice unless it was a bird 1:4

19. The offerers' identification with the sacrifice

20. The transfer of something

21. Just as this offering is completely given to God I completely give myself

22. It was a transfer of sin and guilt as the sacrifice died in the place of the sinner

23. The worshipper then killed the animal and the priest caught the blood in a basin 1:5, 11

24. If the sacrifice was a bird then the priest killed it 1:15-17

25. The blood was shed on the altar

26. The bird would then be burned in the fire

27. The bull, lamb, or goat was then dismembered, the body parts washed, laid in order on the wood, and burned in the fire. The hide was given to the priest 7:8

28. What is the meaning of all this ritual?

29. This was a transaction between the worshipper and God

30. Notice the use of the terms “unto the Lord” and “before the Lord” 1:2-3, 5, 9, 13-14, 17

31. This is not a transaction for the worshipper’s conscience

32. Nor is it a transaction between the worshipper and the priest or even the nation

33. The sacrifice was a sweet savour to the Lord 1:9, 13, 17

34. This sweet aroma pleased God Genesis 8:21, Leviticus 26:31

35. Jesus death on the cross was a sweet fragrance to the Lord Ephesians 5:2

36. Our offerings to God are the same Philippians 4:18

37. God was so concerned about details that He tells even what to do with the ashes 6:9-13

38. The meal (meat or food) offering 2:1-16, 6:14-23, 7:9-10

39. This offering represents dedicating our material possessions to the Lord God of Heaven

40. The forms of presentation

41. Fine flour

42. Oven baked cakes

43. Cakes baked in a pan

44. Cakes baked in a frying pan or on a griddle

45. Crushed roasted heads of new grain

46. Only a portion of this offering was placed on the altar--the rest was given to the priests 6:16,18

47. Only the men could eat it

48. It had to be eaten in the holy place

49. It had to be eaten with unleavened bread 6:17

50. The one meal offering that was not eaten by the priests was the one presented morning and evening by the high priest’s son 6:19-23

51. This reminded him that he must maintain purity and integrity as he served God

52. Each part of the sacrifice was a symbol of something

53. This meal offering represents the fruit of their labor--material possessions

54. The frankincense represents prayer psalm 141:2, Revelation 5:8

55. The meal offering could never be presented alone it always had to be accompanied by a blood offering Hebrews 9:22

56. This meal offering represents Jesus Christ as the Bread of Life John 6:32-51, 12:23-25

57. Must be accompanied by oil 2:1-2, 4, 6, 15

58. Must include salt 2:13, Matthew 5:13

59. Could not contain honey or leaven 2:11, Exodus 12:19-20, Luke 12:1, I Corinthians 5:8

60. The Drink offering 23:13, 18, 37, 29:6, 11, 18-19, Numbers 15:1-13

61. Presented after the animal sacrifices

62. It was a required part of the sacrifice

63. Approximately a quart of wine was poured out on the altar 15:5

64. The burnt offering, the meal-offering, and the drink offering all represent dedication and commitment to God

65. The pouring of the wine was a symbol of life poured out in dedication to God

66. Jesus was poured out like water on the cross Psalm 22:14

67. He poured out His life unto death Isaiah 53:12

68. Paul poured out like a drink offering on behalf of the Philippians 2:17

69. Paul poured like a drink offering in prison II Timothy 4:6

70. The personal application

71. God decides how He is to be worshipped

72. Only Jesus Christ is worthy to procure my pardon and salvation--nothing that I have or can do will obtain my forgiveness

73. The great truth of this lesson from Leviticus is that someone can take my place of suffering and death so that I can live

74. God seeks total commitment, dedication, and surrender to Him

75. There was no partial death of the substitute and in Romans 12:1-2 we are called to be a living sacrifice

76. After the blood sacrifice made for me, I come with what I have been able to produce to give it to Him in the way He desires

77. The drink offering calls on me to pour out my life for Him as He poured out His life for me