Bulls and Goats
1 The LORD called to Moses and spoke to him from the tent of meeting. He said, 2 “Speak to the Israelites and say to them: ‘When anyone among you brings an offering to the LORD, bring as your offering an animal from either the herd or the flock.
3 “ ‘If the offering is a burnt offering from the herd, you are to offer a male without defect. You must present it at the entrance to the tent of meeting so that it will be acceptable to the LORD. 4 You are to lay your hand on the head of the burnt offering, and it will be accepted on your behalf to make atonement for you.
Leviticus 1:1-4
The biggest animal I ever killed was a bird. Not on purpose! I was driving on a country road somewhere near Griffith and the Galah just didn’t move quick enough. I remember feeling pretty bad afterwards. For most of us city and suburban folk, killing animals is a foreign and often upsetting thing. Which is one reason why people get a bit squeamish with the Bible and particularly Leviticus.
However, God isn’t a hater of animals or cruel. No, he is a merciful God who provides a way for sinners to enjoy his holiness. That’s in fact the whole picture of Leviticus. How can sinners enjoy the presence of the holy God?
Well, first and foremost, their sins need to be atoned for. And even though it’s not an equal sacrifice (more on that Saturday), God chooses in his mercy to accept a male animal from the herd/flock as a sacrifice of atonement on behalf of the sinner.
It’s the idea of at-one-ment. That’s where the English word atonement comes from. Notice that the person must lay their hand on the head of the offering. It’s symbolic of them becoming one.
The sinner becomes one with the sacrifice without defect and so the death of the animal is like the death of the sinner. God’s justice is served. And the perfection of the animal is shared with the human and so that person is considered sinless, righteous in God’s eyes.
This of course all points forward doesn’t it. To an even better perfect sacrifice. Jesus isn’t a bull or a goat, but a human without defect. He is without sin. And at the cross he offers himself as a sacrifice of atonement for sins. When we accept his sacrifice by faith, like putting our hand on him, we become one with him.
Therefore, our sins are atoned for (the price for sin is paid) and we are made righteous by our at-one-ment with him.
Today:
Pray:
3 “ ‘If the offering is a burnt offering from the herd, you are to offer a male without defect. You must present it at the entrance to the tent of meeting so that it will be acceptable to the LORD. 4 You are to lay your hand on the head of the burnt offering, and it will be accepted on your behalf to make atonement for you.
Leviticus 1:1-4
The biggest animal I ever killed was a bird. Not on purpose! I was driving on a country road somewhere near Griffith and the Galah just didn’t move quick enough. I remember feeling pretty bad afterwards. For most of us city and suburban folk, killing animals is a foreign and often upsetting thing. Which is one reason why people get a bit squeamish with the Bible and particularly Leviticus.
However, God isn’t a hater of animals or cruel. No, he is a merciful God who provides a way for sinners to enjoy his holiness. That’s in fact the whole picture of Leviticus. How can sinners enjoy the presence of the holy God?
Well, first and foremost, their sins need to be atoned for. And even though it’s not an equal sacrifice (more on that Saturday), God chooses in his mercy to accept a male animal from the herd/flock as a sacrifice of atonement on behalf of the sinner.
It’s the idea of at-one-ment. That’s where the English word atonement comes from. Notice that the person must lay their hand on the head of the offering. It’s symbolic of them becoming one.
The sinner becomes one with the sacrifice without defect and so the death of the animal is like the death of the sinner. God’s justice is served. And the perfection of the animal is shared with the human and so that person is considered sinless, righteous in God’s eyes.
This of course all points forward doesn’t it. To an even better perfect sacrifice. Jesus isn’t a bull or a goat, but a human without defect. He is without sin. And at the cross he offers himself as a sacrifice of atonement for sins. When we accept his sacrifice by faith, like putting our hand on him, we become one with him.
Therefore, our sins are atoned for (the price for sin is paid) and we are made righteous by our at-one-ment with him.
Today:
- How do you feel about the sacrifice of animals in the Old Testament?
- Why must the animal be without defect? What about why does it need to be a male?
- Do you see that you need atonement for your sins today? What reminds you that you do?
Pray:
- Praise the Father for his justice and mercy.
- Give thanks for Jesus who is our atoning sacrifice.
- Ask God for His Holy Spirit to remind you and others of his mercy today.
Posted in Leviticus
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