Leviticus 1 Commentary

Leviticus 1 Commentary

Leviticus begins with an assumption that the reader has been through the Book of Exodus. The Tabernacle is ready, and the priests must perform their duty. So Leviticus lists detailed instructions on how the priests must go about their duty.

Our first stop is the outer court. Here we find the altar of the burnt offering.

One big question on many minds concerns the practice itself. Why did the LORD command it?

Sacrifices are a food offering to the LORD. Back in the Garden of Perfection, the first couple enjoyed a perfect relationship with the LORD. They probably shared meals together.

Abraham enjoyed a meal with the LORD. We also know that the LORD Jesus enjoyed meals with his disciples. In fact, the LORD Jesus specifically ordained the festival of Holy Communion in memory of the Last Supper—the last meal. After the resurrection, the fearful and doubting disciples provided a piece of fish to the LORD Jesus, and He consumed it in their presence. Later, Peter, John, and a couple of others were treated to a special breakfast meal prepared by the LORD Jesus by the lake.

We can think backward and conclude that probably humanity still wanted to perpetuate these meal fellowships by still offering meals to the LORD who was now absent, for reasons well explained in Genesis Chapter 3.

Sacrifices, therefore, provide evidence of man’s continued search for God, regardless of how they are done. It is in every people’s culture, pointing to humanity’s need for God. But Leviticus gives us a refined search or pathway to the LORD God. But at the center of it all is a return to the contents of the golden box, the Ark—the Ten Commandments.

Regarding burnt offerings, the following points are important. The animal must be a male and in perfect condition. The animal must be one of the following: cattle (herd), sheep/goat (flock), or pigeon/dove (bird).

For the herd or flock, an entire animal is to be burned. It is a food offering and an aroma that goes up before the LORD. The connection is made when the worshipper lays his hands on the animal. The worship of the LORD involves life. It’s in our day-to-day walk that the LORD is worshipped.

There are options depending on your pocket. Everyone can worship regardless of their income!

However, a capable man who offers a dove is contemptuous. Equally, the feeling that big givers are the only ones doing it big in the presence of the LORD is false and altogether sinful.

This kind of sacrifice is like a meal presented to the LORD like Cain and Abel did. At the same time, the fact that an entire animal is burned may point to the need for us to fully and wholly dedicate our lives to the LORD. The LORD, whose name is JEALOUSY, will not accept ‘part payment’.

The choice of a male animal (instead of a female animal) may be in keeping with a tradition and also a logical practice of slaughtering males for consumption. Females are for reproduction. In this way, the general picture is that the worship of the LORD is never meant to reverse a worshipper’s economy.

When the priests insist on an offering that reduces the worshipper to debt, we have every right to question the system.

For more resources, visit http://www.lovingscripture.com