Are we sinners because we sin, or do we sin because we are sinners? The question feels a little like the age-old riddle: which came first the chicken or the egg? But... I think there are sufficient texts that point to our very nature being corrupt and, nevertheless there is the sufficient evidence in our own lives that we fall short of God's perfection through our thoughts and actions daily.
Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me. Psalm 51:5
Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinner. Romans 5:12
For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not. Ecclesiastes 7:20
As I consider the implications of all that's going on in the book of Leviticus, I think it might be one of the most important books of the Bible for us to understand. Although, the laws and rituals described in this book seem terribly foreign and confusing; their deep truths hidden in plain sight, only revealed to those who diligently seek out truth. Be assured, Leviticus is not unimportant for us! Each sacrifice, every law, the rules governing the consecration of the priests, God's Holy Days... all of it... is an image of a reality that the Lord wants us to understand.
Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in His sight; for by the law is the knowledge of sin. Romans 3:20
What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet. Romans 7:7
For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. Romans 15:4
The exposition of the law, beginning in Exodus, declares to us what sin is. Leviticus details the remedy for sin: a blood sacrifice of a spotless animal.
While we are not required to perform sacrifices as an ordinance of the church, understanding the standards outlined in Leviticus enables us to have greater insight into God's character, how God views sin, the need for holiness, and a solution to the problem. The blood of bulls and goats never took aways sin, but the sacrificing of these animals acted out the processes that the coming Savior would be required to perform as an adequate and acceptable sacrifice before God Almighty. This is a spiritual law that each of us are subject to: without a High Priest and Mediator, sinful man can never become a citizen of the kingdom of God. Through the sacrifices we come to understand the requirements for citizenship and then we can grasp how Christ was a solution to the problem. Only through the shedding of Christ's blood will we have remission of sin.
The prescription of the sacrifices was to be daily and continual. The people could make a offerings of repentance, commitment and thanksgiving to the Lord for themselves whenever they decided to; the priests made offerings daily, morning and evening, on behalf of the nation. It was a reminder of the gravity of the situation humanity is in. Daily, morning and evening, we should commit ourselves anew to the Lord and repent of all sin.
Each sacrifice was a vivid act of worship. In 2025, we can reflect on the details of the accounts of Jesus's crucifixion; however, often it is referred to very casually because it wasn't etched into our brains through actually seeing and feeling the weightiness of His death. For over a thousand years, Jewish families participated in the slaughter of animals as a picture of Christ's suffering for us. The animals used in the sacrifices were precious to the offeror in that they were directly linked to the family's financial well-being. These sacrifices were intense acts of worship that were physically and emotionally challenging and required commitment to the process.
I won't speak for others in this regard. However, in times past, I would try to combine these two truths in my theology without any delineation between the two concepts: the Old Testament sacrificial system was to represent Christ taking away our sin AND the sacrifices were sweet smelling to the Lord. While both statements are true independently, it is not accurate to lump all of the sacrifices together and apply both statements to every sacrifice. (God's design of this system was much more complex than my limited understanding.) Let's examine the sacrifices in the "removal of sin" group verses the "sweet smelling" group.
There were two sacrifices dealing with the sins of man: the sin offering (v. 4:1-5:13) and the trespass offering (v 5:14-6:7). (Consider reading Hebrews 9 for details on how we are to view these sacrifices post-Messiah.)
Sin: There was a mandatory requirement for the High Priest to offer a sin sacrifice once a year on the Day of Atonement to atone for sins and cleanse Israel from defilement. This offering was also made by an individual or the whole congregation when they broke the law of God. There were specific occasions that required the sin offering such as the ordination of a priest, after childbirth, or when recovering from a skin disease.
Trespass: This was also a compulsory offering and specifically required a ram. This offering was made as an atonement for unintentional sins against someone. It was also a cleansing offering from defiling sins or physical illness and conditions. The sin and trespass offerings were similar, in that they dealt with sin, but the trespass offering contained the aspect of reparations being paid to an offended party. There was no set frequency required, like with the sin offering, but rather when an individual realized they had committed a sin and sought forgiveness and cleansing from their wrongdoing.
There were three sacrifices stated as being a sweet savor unto the Lord: the Burnt offering (v 1:1-1:17), the Meat offering (v 2:1-2:16), and the Peace offering (v 3:1-16)
Burnt: Morning and evening, a burnt offering would be made. It was the foundation of the ritual system for Israel. Everything, except the animal skin, would be burnt and the smoke would go up as a sweet-smelling savor to the Lord. This offering would be made for sins in a general sense and daily symbolized complete devotion and surrender to Yahweh.
Meat: Thanks to some changes in the meaning of the word meat since the writing of the KJV translation, we can be super confused, because the "meat" offering is actually the only offering that doesn't require the blood of an animal. Rather the offering is made of grain/flour, incense, and oil. It contained no leaven (representing no sin) and was seasoned with salt. The meat offering could be voluntarily made in conjunction with the burnt offering in the mornings and evenings to express devotion to God. This offering was an expression of complete commitment of the giver and all they possessed. In case you want to dig a little deeper, you can find that the meat offering was made in conjunction with a drink offering (Leviticus 23). Understanding the meat and drink offerings are important to us in that, as the church, we communicate our devotion to God through partaking in unleaven bread and wine during communion.
Peace: This offering typically was presented in conjunction with the daily burnt offering. Thanksgiving and celebration were the purposes of the peace offering and it demonstrated a desire for fellowship with God and His people. This was the only sacrifice where the giver was able to receive a portion of the sacrificed meat, which was to be cooked and eaten in a ritual meal.
Previously I commented on the importance of understanding the book of Leviticus: for in it we find the revelation that Jesus's blood will be required for our forgiveness of sins.
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
Through the sacrifices, Israel, and now the church, receives the blessings of forgiveness, cleansing, and acceptance. (v 4:20, 12:7, 1:4) In this fallen world, I could not ask for any greater blessings than these. Praise be the Lord for His unfailing love and goodness to mankind.
Great read!