Ever had a feeling of guilt? Well fortunately in the Levitical law both the feeling and the act that caused the feeling (their conscience) could be appeased. Here’s how.
Leviticus 7:
1 "This is the law of the guilt offering. It is most holy.
2 In the place where they kill the burnt offering they shall kill the guilt offering, and its blood shall be thrown against the sides of the altar.
3 And all its fat shall be offered, the fat tail, the fat that covers the entrails,
4 the two kidneys with the fat that is on them at the loins, and the long lobe of the liver that he shall remove with the kidneys.
5 The priest shall burn them on the altar as a food offering to the LORD; it is a guilt offering.
6 Every male among the priests may eat of it. It shall be eaten in a holy place. It is most holy.
7 The guilt offering is just like the sin offering; there is one law for them. The priest who makes atonement with it shall have it.
8 And the priest who offers any man's burnt offering shall have for himself the skin of the burnt offering that he has offered.
9 And every grain offering baked in the oven and all that is prepared on a pan or a griddle shall belong to the priest who offers it.
10 And every grain offering, mixed with oil or dry, shall be shared equally among all the sons of Aaron.
11 "And this is the law of the sacrifice of peace offerings that one may offer to the LORD.
12 If he offers it for a thanksgiving, then he shall offer with the thanksgiving sacrifice unleavened loaves mixed with oil, unleavened wafers smeared with oil, and loaves of fine flour well mixed with oil.
13 With the sacrifice of his peace offerings for thanksgiving he shall bring his offering with loaves of leavened bread.
14 And from it he shall offer one loaf from each offering, as a gift to the LORD. It shall belong to the priest who throws the blood of the peace offerings.
15 And the flesh of the sacrifice of his peace offerings for thanksgiving shall be eaten on the day of his offering. He shall not leave any of it until the morning.
16 But if the sacrifice of his offering is a vow offering or a freewill offering, it shall be eaten on the day that he offers his sacrifice, and on the next day what remains of it shall be eaten.
17 But what remains of the flesh of the sacrifice on the third day shall be burned up with fire.
18 If any of the flesh of the sacrifice of his peace offering is eaten on the third day, he who offers it shall not be accepted, neither shall it be credited to him. It is tainted, and he who eats of it shall bear his iniquity.
19 "Flesh that touches any unclean thing shall not be eaten. It shall be burned up with fire. All who are clean may eat flesh,
20 but the person who eats of the flesh of the sacrifice of the LORD's peace offerings while an uncleanness is on him, that person shall be cut off from his people.
21 And if anyone touches an unclean thing, whether human uncleanness or an unclean beast or any unclean detestable creature, and then eats some flesh from the sacrifice of the LORD's peace offerings, that person shall be cut off from his people."
22 The LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
23 "Speak to the people of Israel, saying, You shall eat no fat, of ox or sheep or goat.
24 The fat of an animal that dies of itself and the fat of one that is torn by beasts may be put to any other use, but on no account shall you eat it.
25 For every person who eats of the fat of an animal of which a food offering may be made to the LORD shall be cut off from his people.
26 Moreover, you shall eat no blood whatever, whether of fowl or of animal, in any of your dwelling places.
27 Whoever eats any blood, that person shall be cut off from his people."
28 The LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
29 "Speak to the people of Israel, saying, Whoever offers the sacrifice of his peace offerings to the LORD shall bring his offering to the LORD from the sacrifice of his peace offerings.
30 His own hands shall bring the LORD's food offerings. He shall bring the fat with the breast, that the breast may be waved as a wave offering before the LORD.
31 The priest shall burn the fat on the altar, but the breast shall be for Aaron and his sons.
32 And the right thigh you shall give to the priest as a contribution from the sacrifice of your peace offerings.
33 Whoever among the sons of Aaron offers the blood of the peace offerings and the fat shall have the right thigh for a portion.
34 For the breast that is waved and the thigh that is contributed I have taken from the people of Israel, out of the sacrifices of their peace offerings, and have given them to Aaron the priest and to his sons, as a perpetual due from the people of Israel.
35 This is the portion of Aaron and of his sons from the LORD's food offerings, from the day they were presented to serve as priests of the LORD.
36 The LORD commanded this to be given them by the people of Israel, from the day that he anointed them. It is a perpetual due throughout their generations."
37 This is the law of the burnt offering, of the grain offering, of the sin offering, of the guilt offering, of the ordination offering, and of the peace offering,
38 which the LORD commanded Moses on Mount Sinai, on the day that he commanded the people of Israel to bring their offerings to the LORD, in the wilderness of Sinai.
Things to think about…
Fat, fat the water rat. Why is there so much attention given to fat and what should be done with it? I remember when our son Ben was a little boy he had said as he was chewing down on a very un-Jewish piece of bacon rind “I like fat!”. He still does, as do all our boys. While pig fat was an abomination in Jewish law, lamb fat was a different story, Lev 7:1-3. It represented the blessing and abundance of the Lord upon the children of Israel. This representation of blessing was to be acknowledged and was to be offered as a food offering to the Priests, vs 6, who also liked fat – though it was actually the tender and juicy parts of meat, which was no doubt marbled with fat. Very flavoursome. Perhaps we should bring this practice back for pastors.
There are so many types and symbols of Christ in the OT. Have a look at Lev 7:16-18. No-one was to eat anything of the offering on or after the third day. Aside from potential microbial issues, there is another significance. Christ of course rose on the third day, but his sacrifice – the true offering and payment for the guilt of sin was made on the cross – three days before. We live in resurrection glory. We don’t reoffer Christ or re crucify Him. He was offered once for sin. We now no longer live in guilt and shame, but in resurrection hope, blessing and future glory. The payment is made, hallelujah!
Don’t sin in the camp, Lev 7:20, by dishonouring the offering. It’s the same within the church. Division’s and dissention through our words or actions dishonours the unity that we have in the offering of Christ. The Lord hates division. In the law a divisive person was to “be cut off from His people”, Lev 7:20. The same goes with going back into the world, Lev 7:21 as represented by an unclean thing. Both are sinful and hated by God.
The blood was important, the blood was not to be eaten Lev 7:26, 27. Can you see why Jesus’ words to His initial disciples were so offensive when He said they must drink His blood John 5? But His is the only blood that truly brings life. All other blood represents death and is not sufficient to come near to God.
These sacrifices are to be perpetual throughout their generations, Lev 7:36. The Jews don’t carry these out today, they want to of course when the temple is re-built. We know the fulfilment of all these sacrifices, Lev 7:37 is of course only completed in the perfect work of Christ through the cross and resurrection.
Vision Point for Cell groups
CBC's Vision "To be a growing biblical church community, significantly influencing our city and beyond, through intentional outreach, fulfilling our mission".
Cell group questions from Sunday morning’s sermon “An object lesson” Romans 9.
1. We generally have a good understanding of God’s sovereignty, but what do you think about some of the things mentioned in this chapter? How do you explain them? Eg “The Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart”; “Jacob I loved and Esau I hated”; and regarding people who reject Christ as those whom “God prepared beforehand for destruction”. Does this then make God the Author of sin? Does he predestine some people for heaven and some for hell? What are your thoughts? Not easy questions I know.
2. The Lord also says that He desires all men to be saved 1Tim 2:4. How is this possible if He alone calls and has an elect that will be saved?
3. Romans 1 says that all are without excuse because of what has been made. How do you reconcile that with the fact that we are dead in trespasses and sins’ Eph 2:1, Col 2:13 and that only the Lord can open your eyes?
4. What encouragement do you get from Romans 9 that Graham also brought out in Sunday’s message?
Prayer Points
1. CBC Carols and Christmas Day. Pray for advertising and that these events bring many visitors to celebrate the Saviour. Rod and the worship team as they practice.
2. New folk coming to church, pray they are loved and looked after.
3. America still considering who will be their president. Pray for the US supreme court challenges. Pray for truth, grace and peace.
4. Keep praying for Zac’s dad, Mark Torrington not out of the woods yet.
5. Sunday’s message. This week – “What can I offer” Lev 1-7, Jay.
6. Church finances to meet our expenses and to put a roof over our café.
7. Our City and Country – Pray for revival over our city and the leadership of our country even through these challenging times.
Praise Points.
1. The worship team and streaming on Sunday. Great job folks.
2. Graham’s message and all those serving in ministry at CBC.
3. All those who served on Sunday with Music, audio, words and streaming.
4. Angelo, Helen, Doug, Maddison, Yuki thankyou for your efforts every week.
5. Unity, peace and grace at CBC.
6. Finances have been blessed. Thankyou.
Announcements
1. Carols Sun 20th Dec 6pm. Start with a meal. Carols to start after the meal around 7pm.
2. Church bank details bsb:- 704 913 and Acc number:- 4000 4388 1
4. Christmas Day service – 9:00am, Friday 25th December. 1 hour service.
