LEVITICUS 12
In the previous lesson, we have been studying the sin offering
for being eyewitness to a sin and not reporting it, the sin of
swearing, and the sin of being in contact with an unclean thing. We
know that the offering varied according to the ability of the sinner
to pay. We will now see that this lesson deals with the very poor who
can hardly pay anything. These offerings were all blood offerings.
We will begin now in Leviticus 5:11 "But if he be not able to
bring two turtledoves, or two young pigeons, then he that sinned shall
bring for his offering the tenth part of an ephah of fine flour for a
sin offering; he shall put no oil upon it, neither shall he put [any]
frankincense thereon: for it [is] a sin offering."
Even though there is no blood evident in this offering of bread,
it does not eliminate the fact that there is no remission of sin
except by the shedding of blood. We discussed in a previous lesson,
that this is a type and shadow of Jesus Christ {The Bread}. The shadow
has no blood, but the person it shadows does. Jesus is the Bread of
life. His body was spoken of as bread. Jesus was our sin offering
when He was crucified on the cross. This is unleavened bread, which
is the only kind that can symbolize the sinless body of Christ.
Jesus shed His blood for us.
Leviticus 5:12 "Then shall he bring it to the priest, and the
priest shall take his handful of it, [even] a memorial thereof, and
burn [it] on the altar, according to the offerings made by fire unto
the LORD: it [is] a sin offering." Leviticus 5:13 "And the priest
shall make an atonement for him as touching his sin that he hath
sinned in one of these, and it shall be forgiven him: and [the
remnant] shall be the priest's, as a meat offering."
We see clearly here, that the minister of the church is supposed
to live of the offerings brought to the church. Notice, also, that the
priest {preacher} is to help the sinner that comes to the church, and
that is without exception. When the sinner comes with a repentant
heart, the preacher prays for him or her, and then praise God, his
sins are forgiven. This memorial of this that is burned on the altar
is very pleasing to God. It shows the sincerity of the repentance.
Leviticus 5:14 "And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,"
I believe this sudden break, here, back to who is giving these
directions, and to whom they are given, is to show us this is not
something Moses just came up with, but are God's wishes. These laws
are many times called the law of Moses, when, in fact, they are the
law of God.
Leviticus 5:15 "If a soul commit a trespass, and sin through
ignorance, in the holy things of the LORD; then he shall bring for his
trespass unto the LORD a ram without blemish out of the flocks, with
thy estimation by shekels of silver, after the shekel of the
sanctuary, for a trespass offering:"
The trespass offering and the sin offering, I do not believe to
be the same. This trespass offering seemed to be a sin of omission of
the duties toward God. In the sin offering, it seemed the offering was
for a specific sin; and in the trespass offering, it seemed they were
sacrificing for cleansing of their attitude toward God. This would be
like a backslider praying to be forgiven for backsliding.
Silver means redemption, as we have said in so many of these
lessons. This sacrifice should be of sufficient value, so as to
compensate for the neglect of the person's duties to God. The trespass
offering carried a penalty of 20% for failing to pay on time. It
seemed that this could be owed to the temple, or to other believers.
In this, the person had to make restitution for what he had neglected
to do previously. When a person did not pay their tithes and
offerings, it was as if they planned to rob God. If people today were
fined 20% above their tithes and offerings that they had not brought
to the temple, there would be enough ready cash to evangelize the
whole world.
Leviticus 5:16 "And he shall make amends for the harm that he
hath done in the holy thing, and shall add the fifth part thereto, and
give it unto the priest: and the priest shall make an atonement for
him with the ram of the trespass offering, and it shall be forgiven
him."
Notice, that after the person makes amends for the wrong he or
she has done, God forgives them. This should be good news for all the
backsliders, God will take you back, if you truly repent and try to
make amends for the harm you have done.
Leviticus 5:17 "And if a soul sin, and commit any of these
things which are forbidden to be done by the commandments of the LORD;
though he wist [it] not, yet is he guilty, and shall bear his
iniquity."
We see in this, that ignorance is no excuse. Here in the United
States, that is probably more so than any other place on the globe.
Bibles are readily available at all book stores. A person has no
excuse for not knowing the will of God in their lives. Read your Bible
and find the will of God for yourself. In some countries of the world,
it is not possible to buy a Bible, even if you had the money to buy
with. It is up to us, who are so blessed to see that these people
have the privilege of owning a Bible. We must send Bibles to those
places at all cost. We are our brother's keeper.
Leviticus 5:18 "And he shall bring a ram without blemish out of
the flock, with thy estimation, for a trespass offering, unto the
priest: and the priest shall make an atonement for him concerning his
ignorance wherein he erred and wist [it] not, and it shall be forgiven
him."
As we have said so many times in these lessons, this ram typifies
Christ. It must be without blemish, as He was perfect in every way.
God does not want second best, He wants you to be sold out to Him and
bring Him the best you have.
Leviticus 5:19 "It [is] a trespass offering: he hath certainly
trespassed against the LORD."
Trespass was translated from asham which means fault. It is our
fault, if we do not do as God has instructed us to do. LORD in this is
Jehovah, the self- existent One. Sins may be different in that they
usually involve other people, but trespass is directly disobeying God.
One more time, I believe trespass differs from sin in that trespass is
overlooking the things of God that we are obligated to do. It is a
trespass of omission rather than commission, which is sin. When we
pray we ask God to forgive us of our trespasses and sins. You can
easily see, they are not the same.
Questions 12
1. What was the only reason the offering for sin could vary?
2. What was the offering that the very poor were to bring?
3. Why was this offering not to be covered with frankincense?
4. Who is the Bread that can be a sin offering?
5. The shadow has no _____ but the person it shadows has _____.
6. What type of offering was Jesus for us when He was crucified?
7. This handful that the priest burned was spoken of as what?
8. What should the minister of the church live on?
9. Who is the minister of the church to help?
10. What shows the sincerity of the repentance in verse 12?
11. Who was giving all of this information to Moses?
12. These laws are many times called the law of Moses, but whose laws
are they really?
13. For a trespass against God or the sanctuary, what was the offering
to be brought, if the person could afford it?
14. How did the trespass offering differ from the sin offering?
15. What does silver symbolize?
16. How could you relate the trespass offering to our day?
17. What kind of a penalty was to be paid on a neglected gift payment?
18. If everyone in our society today would pay up on their tithes and
pay 20% interest, what would we be able to do?
19. In verse 16, what wonderful promise was given, if they did as God
instructed them?
20. God will accept backsliders back, but what must they do first?
21. Is ignorance a legitimate excuse with God?
22. Why must the people in the United States send Bibles all over the
world?
23. Who does the ram typify in this offering?
24. What does trespass in these verses mean?
25. LORD, in verse 19, is whom?
26. One more time, how does the trespass differ from the sin offering?
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