Page 69 - Pentateuch - Student Textbook

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serves as the Hebrew title of the book.” Most of the chapters begin with the words “the LORD said
unto Moses” emphasizing God’s initiative. Most of the chapters are addressed to the people in general
rather than to the priests or Levites. The book begins with “Speak to the Israelites and say to them
(1:2).” Only chapters 8-10, part of 16, and 21:1-22:16 are addressed exclusively to the religious leaders.

The first part of the book is seven chapters about sacrifice, not national sacrifices on behalf of all but
personal sacrifices. The reader is immediately reminded that sinners cannot approach God without the
shedding of blood. We have already been informed on several occasions about the danger to life for
sinful humans when they come near to God. Now five distinct sacrifices are listed. The responsibilities of
the people are given first with the responsibilities of the priests following. Note the change in 6:8, “Give
Aaron and his sons this command” and the summary in 7:37-38.

1.) The whole burnt offering (Ch. 1; 6:8-13)
2.) The cereal offering (Ch. 2; 6:14-23)
3.) The fellowship offering (Ch. 3; 7:11-36)
4.) The sin offering (Ch. 4:1-5:13; 6:24-30)
5.) The guilt offering (Ch. 5:14-6:7; 7:1-10)

Some differences can be seen between the first
three offerings and the last two. The first three
emphasize God’s response, an aroma pleasing to
the LORD (1:9, 13, 17; 2:2, 9, 12; 3:5, 16; 6:15, 21).
The last two emphasize the result on behalf of the
person, as atonement is made for him (4:20, 26,
31, 35; 5:10, 13, 16, 18; 6:7). The first three are
spontaneous while the last two are connected to a
specific sin. Forgiveness is the issue. It would seem
to communicate that one’s relationship with God
begins with free commitment to him and
continues with forgiveness after sin has
interrupted.
Fig. 44: Sacrifice to the goddess Durga, India, 2017
Several further observations can be made. The
worshiper always comes into God’s presence with
a gift. The gifts vary somewhat according to the wealth of the giver, yet in each case the costliest is given
to God. A poor man could bring an offering equal to that of a rich man, even if it consisted of a bird
(1:14) rather than a bull (1:3). Remember the poverty of Joseph and Mary as they brought Jesus to the
temple and offered two pigeons (Luke 2:24).

The worshiper is identified with his offering. He is to lay his hand on the head of the animal (1:4; 3:2, 8,
13; 4:4, 15, 24, 29, 33). The worshiper, not the priest, then kills the animal at the entrance of the
tabernacle, the place of God’s presence. In some cases the worshiper is responsible for skinning,
washing certain parts, and cutting up the animal. The priest applies the blood of the sacrifice to the altar
and places the cut-up parts on the altar for burning.

76 Allen P. Ross, Holiness to the Lord (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2002), p. 16.

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