Lev. 4-7: "THERE IS NO MORE OFFERING FOR SIN'

Lev. 4-7:  “THERE IS NO MORE OFFERING FOR SIN”

The Sin and Trespass Offering

Taught by: Pastor Carolyn Sissom

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Every Barrier of God's Grace Has Been Removed Through The Blood

This will conclude our teaching on the five major offerings.  These five offerings provide a threefold picture of the Person and Work of Jesus Christ.

Eph. 5:2: “And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us, and has given Himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savor.”

Heb. 10: 18-22: “Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.  Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which He has consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, His flesh; and having a high priest over the house of God; Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.”  All Christians should receive the blessing of a Happy Conscience. 

1. The Offerer – As offerer Jesus is seen in His personal character, Man under the Law standing before God as our representative.
2. The Victim -- As Victim, Jesus is seen on earth accomplishing His substitutionary work on the Cross.
3. The Priest --- As Priest Jesus is seen in His official character in the heavenlies acting as mediator in the interests of God’s people.

Heb. 8: 1-5: “ Now of these things which we have spoken this is the sum:  We have such a high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; a minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.  For every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices: wherefore it is of necessity that this man has somewhat also to offer.  For if He were on earth, He should not  be a priest, seeing that there are priests that offer gifts according to the law; who serve to the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, “See”, says He, that you make all things according to the pattern shown to you in the mount.”  But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also He is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.”

Note that there is a further study for the serious student to pursue the parallel between the five major offerings and the five ministries of Eph. 4:11:

1.  The Burnt Offering    - The Apostle (spend and be spent for God).

2.  The Meal Offering   - The Prophet (crushed by the Living Word)

3.  The Peace Offering -   The Evangelist (enthusiasm of good news).

4.  The Sin     Offering   -   The Pastor (bringing flock to at-one-ment).

5.  The Trespass Offering-The Teacher (revealing specifics of the walk).

SIN OFFERING-- The Sin offering represents Jesus Christ as our sin bearer, taking the sinner’s place for sins “through ignorance.”  This could include sin through ignorance in either not knowing the law, or being surprised with a sinful act.  The Sin offering atones for the sinner’s condition, rather than for the acts of sin.  Provision is made for every class of people, for none are exempt from this sin.  The Cross of Christ is viewed here as rendering full satisfaction to God for sin, making forgiveness for man’s righteousness possible (11 Cor. 5:21) “For He has made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.”

This dealt with the nature of sin while the trespass Offering dealt with the acts of sin.  Confession was included in the Sin Offering.  Indwelling sin as well as acts of sin were confessed and atoned for by the Savior’s sacrifice.  He bore the curse (Gal. 3:13).  “Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us; for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangs on a tree.”

He received at God’s hands the judgment due to us.  Justice is now satisfied and God is “just to forgive.” (1 Jn. 1:9).  Sin affects our fellowship with God, our worship and our conscience.  The Lord has liberated us to have a happy conscience.  This was a non-sweet savor Offering revealing the shame of sin.

Ps. 22:1 “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are You so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring?

In the sweet savor Offerings, the offerer came as a devoted worshipper and in the non-sweet savor Offerings, he came as a convicted sinner.  In the former, Jesus presents Himself for us to God without sin, and in the latter He is seen offering Himself as our representative for sin.

In the burnt Offering we see life offered, which is God’s exclusive allotment and portion, and in the meal offering we see fruits offered, which is man’s allotted portion.  Then, in the burnt Offering, we see the preciousness of the sacrifice; in the Sin Offering, the heinousness of the sin.

The Sin offerings were graded according to the sinner’s standing or position.  It was a compulsory arrangement.  There was no choice, for the Sin offering was involuntary.  There was diversity in victims and a gradation in value.  This teaches a graded responsibility.  The guilt of sin was proportioned to the rank and status of the offender.

1. Sin of the Priest that is anointed – This would speak of Aaron and his sons.  The High Priest’s sin would entail interrupted communion with God for the congregation, for they would have no fit representative.  The blood was brought into the Holy Place and sprinkled before the veil (or on the floor).  This seven-times sprinkling secured Jehovah’s relations with His people.  Blood was also smeared on the horns of the Incense Altar (cleansing of prayer, praise, and worship).  The remainder of blood was poured out at the base of the Brazen Altar.  Jesus the High Priest never needed a sacrifice for Himself. 

     (Heb. 7: 24-27) “”But this man, because he continues ever, has an unchangeable priesthood.  Wherefore He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing he ever lives to make intercession for them.  For such a high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens.  Who needs not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice; first for his own sins, “and then for the people; for this He did once, when he offered up himself.  For the law makes “men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, makes the Son, “who is consecrated for evermore.”

2. Sin of the Congregation (4: 13-21):  Local assemblies can sin as a whole as seen by the messages to the seven churches in Rev. 2-3. (very serious)
3. Sin of a Ruler – (4:22-26).  This could refer to a King, head of a tribe, or anyone appointed by God.  An Elder’s sin is more serious than those whom the Lord has entrusted to them to disciple. 
4. Sin of a Commoner (4:27-35) the offering required a full-grown animal (suggesting the age of accountability).  The ritual was the same as that for the sin of a ruler.

TRESPASS OFFERING:

There are two distinct forms of the Trespass Offering categories:

1. Trespasses against God (Lev. 5: 14-19.  Such trespasses involved sins in the holy things of God, such as eating the flesh of the offering, or withholding the tithe for personal use. (Lev. 27:30).
2. Trespasses against Man – Trespass against man is called a “trespass against the Lord” because sins against man are also sins against God.  e need t discern the Body of Christ.  Saul of Tarsus persecuted Jesus when He persecuted the church.  The Head and the Body are One. (1 Cor. 6:17)  “But he that is joined to the Lord is one Spirit.”  This is a very serious subject.

In Trespasses against God (Lev. 5: 14-19), this is to trespass in Holy Things.  In such cases restitution plus one-fifth (20%) followed expiation by the sacrifice.  The added fifth equaled a double tithe (Gen. 47: 18-26).  This would include the withholding of what was properly due to God such as tithes and firstfruits (Time, Talent, Treasure), or eating by mistake portions allotted to the priests (invading the ministry) and sin against God and His servants. (Mal. 3: 8-9)

(5: 17-19).  In the trespasses in forbidden things, restitution is not mentioned.  Though committed in ignorance, the offender was certainly guilty before the Lord (5:19).

In Trespasses against Man (Lev. 5: 1-5; 6: 1-7) (restitution plus 20%)

1. Concealment of truth or vital evidence – (5:1) (Prov. 29:24) “Whoso is partner with a thief hates his own soul; he hears cursing and does not tell it.”
2. Defilement or contact with unclean things – (5:2-3) (Heb. 12:14) “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.”
3. Swearing or promising rashly (5:4) Matt. 5: 33-37):  “Again, you have heard that it has been said by them of old time, you shall not commit perjury but shall perform to the Lord your oaths: but I say to you, swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God’s throne; nor by the earth; for it is His footstool; neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King.  Neither shall you swear by your head, because you can not make one hair white or black.  But let your communication be yea, yea; nay, for whatsoever is more than these comes of evil.”  This is why I do not make “vows”.  However, that is my walk and I do not judge if others feel led of the Lord to make “vow offerings”. 
4. Denying a Trust – (6:2) (11 Kg. 6:5)
5. Defrauding a partner (cheating in business) – (6:2) (1 Th. 4:6) “That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter; because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified.  For God has not called us to uncleanness, but to holiness.”
6. Disowning by theft or robbery – (6:2) (Eph. 4:28) “Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labor, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needs.”
7. Deception of a Neighbor (dishonesty) (6:2) (Luke 19:10)
8. Detaining a found item – (6: 3-4) Eph. 4:25) “Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbor; for we are members one of another.”
9. Delivering a false oath – (6:5) (Eph. 4:15) “But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into Him in all things, which is the head, even Christ.”

There had to be restitution for unrighteous gain (Lev. 6: 4-7):

1. Unto man (6: 4-6) – Whatever gain was obtained, by whatever unrighteous means, was to be brought with the trespass offering plus 20% to be restored to the right owner.
2. Unto God (6: 6-7) – The Trespass Offering had validity only in connection with restitution when such was involved and upon which forgiveness was contingent.

In the sin and trespass offerings, four moral principles stand out in order:

1. Identification – the sacrifice becomes one with the offerer. (Jesus)
2. Substitution   - the sacrifice takes the offerer’s place. (Jesus)
3. Expiation – the sacrifice suffers the death penalty (and guilt).(Jesus)
4. Propitiation – the sacrifice removes every barrier to God’s grace.(Jesus)

We live below our provision when we do not walk in the faith and conviction that we are able to stand before the Throne of God covered with the power of the Blood because every barrier of God’s grace has been removed through the Blood.

I have listed the occasion for each of the five major offerings.  This is not an exhaustive list.

1. Burnt – Daily, morning and evening; doubled on the Sabbath; the new moon; daily during Passover and Tabernacles; Firstfruits, Pentecost, Trumpets, Day of Atonement; the consecration of the Priests and Levites; for the congregation or the individual; the purification of women, lepers, Nazarite, etc.
2. Peace – At consecration of priests; for the congregation of the individual; at all the festivals; Nazarite vow; at the giving of the Law, etc.
3. Meal – Offered with all sacrifices; Firstfruits, new moons, Sabbaths, the other Feast days, two wave loaves of Pentecost; offering of jealousy, accompanied the burnt Offering, etc.  This is very important for the offering of jealousy.  If one person is jealous of another person, they are not able to give to that person.  Once one is able to bless the person of whom they are jealous, then the jealousy will soon be overcome. 
4. Sin – All the Feasts; the consecration of priests; sacrifice of the Red heifer; sin of ignorance; ceremonial defilement as women, lepers,  Nazarites; Day of Atonement, etc.
5. Trespass – For the individual; lepers; criminal connection with a bondmaid; for idolatrous marriages; for a Nazarite, etc.

Heb. 10: 18-22:  “Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.  Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which He has consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to day, His flesh; and having a high priest over the house of God; Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.”

Next week we will start on the Principle of Introduction to the Priesthood, the origin of the Priesthood and qualifications and consecration of the priests.  We will continue with their provision, courses, duties, ministry and a study of the High priest, and the garments.

Carolyn Sissom, Pastor

Eastgate Ministries, Inc.

www.eastgateministries.com

Scripture from K.J.V and N.K.J.V. Text from Principles of Present Truth on Leviticus by:  Kelly Varner.  Comments and conclusions are my own and not meant to reflect the views of those from whom I have gleaned.