In Lev 1-3, we are introduced to the burnt, meal and peace offerings. Now in Lev 4-6, we have the sin and guilt offerings. But distinguishes between them?
“If anyone sins unintentionally in any of the Lord's commandments...If the whole congregation of Israel sins unintentionally...When a leader sins, doing unintentionally any one of all the things that by the commandments of the Lord his God ought not to be done, and realizes his guilt,” (4:2,13,22)
Unintentional sin is the distinguishing factor. Oh how often we sin unintentionally. But before we despair, God provides divinely a rescue, “For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it for you on the altar to make atonement for your souls, for it is the blood that makes atonement by the life.” (Lev 17:11)
Reflect on what was done with the body and with the blood of the sacrifice in the sin offering (4:6, 7, 11, 12). They remind us of God’s intense hatred of sin and its fearful consequence on those whom pay the price of sin.
Lastly, the sin and guilt offerings have much in common, but the sin offering was an atonement for man’s guilt towards God, whereas the guilt offering was an atonement for man’s guilt especially to man, thus the restitution needed to the offended.
No comments:
Post a Comment