Leviticus 1:1 ¶ And the LORD called unto Moses, and spake unto him out of the tabernacle of the congregation, saying,
It is important to note that the LORD called Moses and spoke to him from the Tent of Meeting—the Tabernacle. Moses conversed personally with the LORD on many occasions in a way that is not the norm. Moses is God’s chosen intermediary to provide instruction to His people. These instructions are to teach them how He expects them to maintain fellowship with Him. It is very important to note that God is establishing the acceptable standard. Man does not have an option as to what is acceptable. The LORD is in the position of sovereign authority—just as He is today.
I know that the Bible should be viewed as not only a record of history, but also as “His Story,” a narrative that continually points toward the fulfillment of God’s plan as fulfilled in the person of Jesus, the Son of God, our Redeemer. I will do my best throughout this study to look for Jesus.
Leviticus 1:2 Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, If any man of you bring an offering unto the LORD, ye shall bring your offering of the cattle, even of the herd, and of the flock.
As I read through this first section, it is made clear from the beginning that these offerings are to be made willingly—“If any man….” Verse two indicates that the offering should be from cattle or flock (sheep, goats, rams); however, we see at the end of the chapter that the offering could be a bird. These categories seem to take into consideration the different economic levels of the people.
Leviticus 1:3 ¶ If his offering be a burnt sacrifice of the herd, let him offer a male without blemish: he shall offer it of his own voluntary will at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation before the LORD.
Leviticus 1:4 And he shall put his hand upon the head of the burnt offering; and it shall be accepted for him to make atonement for him.
This section of verses gives instruction regarding an offering from the herd. It is to be a male without blemish and (emphasized again) offered willingly. Already we have a picture of Christ. He came to earth to live as a man without sin to provide the acceptable sacrifice for man’s sin—and He did it willingly. We are responsible for the death of Jesus.
The person making the offering was to bring the bull to the door of the tabernacle and place his hand upon the head of the animal signifying that it was his sin that needed atoned—“covered, forgiven, purged” all from the Hebrew.
Notice that the sacrifice is to meet God’s requirement of being without blemish—not the one bringing the sacrifice. Just as Jesus was deemed the acceptable sacrifice for our sins; the condition of the sinner does not affect God’s acceptance of the sacrifice.
Though it has always been emphasized in most teaching I have heard that God only covered the sins of the people; I don’t really look at it in that way. I just recently read a good explanation of how righteousness was credited to Abraham’s account until Jesus verified the deposit much like a bank holds money on account for us. Until Jesus came and suffered the death of the cross and rose victorious from the grave, all sin was forgiven “on account,” but forgiven nonetheless. That Jesus would make good the deposit was never in question. We are so privileged to be under grace and not under the law. Those under the law were responsible to maintain a right relationship with God through the sacrificial system according to His instructions. By grace through faith, we are restored to fellowship with God once for all through the righteousness imputed to us by Jesus our Messiah.
2 Corinthians 5:21 “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”
Romans 3:21–22 “But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:”
Leviticus 1:5 And he shall kill the bullock before the LORD: and the priests, Aaron’s sons, shall bring the blood, and sprinkle the blood round about upon the altar that is by the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.
Leviticus 1:6 And he shall flay the burnt offering, and cut it into his pieces.
Leviticus 1:7 And the sons of Aaron the priest shall put fire upon the altar, and lay the wood in order upon the fire:
Leviticus 1:8 And the priests, Aaron’s sons, shall lay the parts, the head, and the fat, in order upon the wood that is on the fire which is upon the altar:
Leviticus 1:9 But his inwards and his legs shall he wash in water: and the priest shall burn all on the altar, to be a burnt sacrifice, an offering made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD.
The bull is killed before God. God had designated Aaron’s sons to serve as priests for the people of Israel. The priests were to take the blood of the sacrifice and sprinkle it round about upon the altar by the door of the tabernacle. Scripture declares that the life is in the blood.
Genesis 9:4 “But flesh with the life thereof, which is the blood thereof, shall ye not eat.”
This seems to picture that one is willingly laying his life on the altar before God as He makes this offering.
It sounds like the person making the offering is to skin the animal (from the Hebrew for “flay”) and cut it into pieces. Then the priests are to build a fire with wood on the altar and place the parts of the animal (including the head and the fat) on the wood over the fire. The organs and legs are to be washed in water and the priest is to burn everything on the altar as a burnt sacrifice. This sacrifice made by fire is described as a sweet smell unto the LORD; it pleases Him.
I think the fact that this offering is given for atonement of sin is the reason the whole animal must be consumed by the fire; it signifies complete purification and restored fellowship. I thought about the required participation of the one bringing the offering in light of how Jesus was bruised for our iniquities and our sins were laid on Him.
Isaiah 53:5–6 “But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.”
Why would the inward parts and legs be washed with water? Again, I think it is to give a picture of the establishment of a pure relationship with God. It is our innermost being, our spirit, that needs cleansing, and once we receive that cleansing we are to “walk” in fellowship with God according to His will. Maybe the washing to remove any blood residue pictures the fact that only the blood of Jesus could atone for man’s sin.
Courson: “The burnt offering speaks of giving all that we are to the Lord—and he who does will never be disappointed because man simply cannot outgive God.”
Leviticus 1:10 ¶ And if his offering be of the flocks, namely, of the sheep, or of the goats, for a burnt sacrifice; he shall bring it a male without blemish.
Leviticus 1:11 And he shall kill it on the side of the altar northward before the LORD: and the priests, Aaron’s sons, shall sprinkle his blood round about upon the altar.
Leviticus 1:12 And he shall cut it into his pieces, with his head and his fat: and the priest shall lay them in order on the wood that is on the fire which is upon the altar:
Leviticus 1:13 But he shall wash the inwards and the legs with water: and the priest shall bring it all, and burn it upon the altar: it is a burnt sacrifice, an offering made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD.
This section provides the instructions for an offering from the flocks and is very similar to that for cattle. It, too, is to be a male without blemish, but it does not have to be skinned. When this animal is killed, it is specified that it be done on the north side of the altar. The Hebrew didn’t really reveal anything to me, but I found an interesting observation from Matthew Henry: “It was of old observed that fair weather comes out of the north, and that the north wind drives away rain; and by these sacrifices the storms of God's wrath are scattered, and the light of God's countenance is obtained, which is more pleasant than the brightest fairest weather.” That’s a nice application, but somehow I think I am missing something.
Courson: “The lamb or goat was to be killed on the altar northward, which speaks of the ultimate altar—the Cross of Calvary—located north of the city of Jerusalem.”
Leviticus 1:14 And if the burnt sacrifice for his offering to the LORD be of fowls, then he shall bring his offering of turtledoves, or of young pigeons.
Leviticus 1:15 And the priest shall bring it unto the altar, and wring off his head, and burn it on the altar; and the blood thereof shall be wrung out at the side of the altar:
Leviticus 1:16 And he shall pluck away his crop with his feathers, and cast it beside the altar on the east part, by the place of the ashes:
Leviticus 1:17 And he shall cleave it with the wings thereof, but shall not divide it asunder: and the priest shall burn it upon the altar, upon the wood that is upon the fire: it is a burnt sacrifice, an offering made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD.
This section details the instructions for those bringing a turtledove or young pigeon. The priest is to kill the offering by wringing off its head and burning it on the altar. The blood is to be drained out at the side of the altar, and its crop (food pouch) and feathers removed and thrown away on the east side of the altar where the ashes are piled. He is to pull the bird apart by the wings, but not completely. The body is then to be burned on the wood on the altar as were the other animals specified as acceptable for this offering. Again it is noted that this offering is pleasing to the LORD—just as pleasing as the more valuable animals. God never requires more of us than we can give or do.
The stripping of the feathers reminds me of how they stripped the LORD Jesus before beating Him. Pulling the animal apart by the wings gives a picture of Jesus arms spread out on the cross.
In trying to find a reason for the designation east of the altar with the ashes, I noticed that the Hebrew for “east part” states “aforetime...everlasting.” It made me think about how the plan of God to provide for man’s sin was in place before creation and that His provision was to be everlasting—once for all.
Leviticus 2:1 ¶ And when any will offer a meat offering unto the LORD, his offering shall be of fine flour; and he shall pour oil upon it, and put frankincense thereon:
Leviticus 2:2 And he shall bring it to Aaron’s sons the priests: and he shall take thereout his handful of the flour thereof, and of the oil thereof, with all the frankincense thereof; and the priest shall burn the memorial of it upon the altar, to be an offering made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD:
Leviticus 2:3 And the remnant of the meat offering shall be Aaron’s and his sons’: it is a thing most holy of the offerings of the LORD made by fire.
The “meat” offering is another name for a grain offering of some type, this one specifying fine flour. After reading several translations, it seems that the ingredients are taken to the priest who then takes a handful of the flour with oil along with all of the frankincense and burns it on the altar before the LORD. The rest of the flour and oil are to be given to the priests for their use.
This is another type of free will offering that seems to be offered just to honor the LORD and give Him pleasure. Point is made that “fine” flour should be used; this would indicate that the grain had been crushed and sifted. Again I am reminded that Jesus gave Himself willingly as the sacrifice for my sin to please His Father. In order to accomplish my redemption He was “crushed and sifted” in honor of His Father’s will.
Isaiah 53:10–11 “Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him….He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.”
When Jesus died on the cross and rose victorious from the grave, He made provision for a royal priesthood—the body of believers who accept His gift through faith.
1 Peter 2:9–10 “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God….”
Ephesians 2:8 “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:”
Frankincense is a type of prayer in the scripture, and I think it represents the sacrifice of praise in the heart of the one bringing the offering.
Revelation 8:3–4 “And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel’s hand.”
Jeremiah 17:26 “And they shall come from the cities of Judah, and from the places about Jerusalem, and from the land of Benjamin, and from the plain, and from the mountains, and from the south, bringing burnt offerings, and sacrifices, and meat offerings, and incense, and bringing sacrifices of praise, unto the house of the LORD.”
Oil is representative of the Holy Spirit.
Isaiah 61:1 “The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me [with oil] to preach good tidings unto the meek….”
Acts 10:38 “How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power….”
Leviticus 2:4 And if thou bring an oblation of a meat offering baken in the oven, it shall be unleavened cakes of fine flour mingled with oil, or unleavened wafers anointed with oil.
Leviticus 2:5 And if thy oblation be a meat offering baken in a pan, it shall be of fine flour unleavened, mingled with oil.
Leviticus 2:6 Thou shalt part it in pieces, and pour oil thereon: it is a meat offering.
The offering described in these verses is baked cakes that are made with fine flour mingled with oil or wafers that are anointed with oil—but they are to be without leaven. It can also be baked as a whole (like a cookie), but still requires fine flour mingled with oil and without leaven. When it is offered, it is to be broken into pieces and served with oil as an offering to the LORD.
The first thing that jumps out to me from my study of scripture is that no leaven is to be used. Leaven is consistently used as a type of sin in the scripture, and these offerings are to represent a pure heart before God. Again, this offering is only acceptable because it is being given in accordance with the LORD’s will. Our purity of heart is totally dependent upon the sacrifice of Jesus as typified by the flour and upon the indwelling Holy Spirit that is pictured by the oil that is used throughout scripture to consecrate or set people or things apart for the LORD’s use.
Note that the offering baked as a whole is to be broken into pieces—another reminder of how Jesus’ body was broken for us.
1 Corinthians 11:23-24 “For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.”
Leviticus 2:7 And if thy oblation be a meat offering baken in the fryingpan, it shall be made of fine flour with oil.
Leviticus 2:8 And thou shalt bring the meat offering that is made of these things unto the LORD: and when it is presented unto the priest, he shall bring it unto the altar.
Leviticus 2:9 And the priest shall take from the meat offering a memorial thereof, and shall burn it upon the altar: it is an offering made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD.
Leviticus 2:10 And that which is left of the meat offering shall be Aaron’s and his sons’: it is a thing most holy of the offerings of the LORD made by fire.
The previous offering was baked in an oven; this one is made on the stovetop so to speak. Once again it is to be from fine flour with oil.
All of these offerings that are cooked with fine flour are to be brought to the priest who then takes it to the altar. He is to take a portion of the offering and burn it on the altar to the delight of the LORD. The remainder of the offering is to be used by the priests, the sons of Aaron.
All of the meal offerings mentioned in this chapter are described as “a thing most holy of the offerings of the LORD made by fire.” I think that is because they seem to best typify a heart of love and gratitude to the LORD. They are offered just to bring Him pleasure and typify how He wants to bless those that serve Him.
Leviticus 2:11 ¶ No meat offering, which ye shall bring unto the LORD, shall be made with leaven: for ye shall burn no leaven, nor any honey, in any offering of the LORD made by fire.
It is emphasized again that no meal offering is to be made with leaven; in fact, no offering that is burned on the altar in the fire is to contain leaven or honey. I understand the prohibition for leaven since it typifies the sin that necessitated the sacrifice of Jesus, the sinless Son of God. One commentary noted that honey was used in the process of fermentation, which is a corruption of the natural state; and there was nothing corrupt about Jesus. Chuck Smith noted that honey adds sweetness, but nothing could make the sacrifice of Jesus more acceptable to God.
Courson: “Because honey breaks down when the temperature rises, the Lord wants nothing to do with that which would break down under pressure, which would lose its sweetness in the fire.
Leviticus 2:12 As for the oblation of the firstfruits, ye shall offer them unto the LORD: but they shall not be burnt on the altar for a sweet savour.
In contrast, these ingredients were acceptable as part of an offering of the firstfruits. However, they were not to be burned on the altar. They are not burned because they point to the risen LORD, the firstfruits of the resurrection.
1 Corinthians 15:20 “But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.”
Leviticus 2:13 And every oblation of thy meat offering shalt thou season with salt; neither shalt thou suffer the salt of the covenant of thy God to be lacking from thy meat offering: with all thine offerings thou shalt offer salt.
Now we are told that every meal offering was to be seasoned with salt. The context explains that the salt typified the covenant of God. We know that God’s covenant with Abraham included the promise of Jesus from its very inception.
Genesis 12:1–3 “Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee: And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.”
Salt is a preservative and the picture was one of an everlasting covenant that promised the preservation of the people of Israel through whom would come the Savior of the world.
Leviticus 2:14 And if thou offer a meat offering of thy firstfruits unto the LORD, thou shalt offer for the meat offering of thy firstfruits green ears of corn dried by the fire, even corn beaten out of full ears.
Leviticus 2:15 And thou shalt put oil upon it, and lay frankincense thereon: it is a meat offering.
Leviticus 2:16 And the priest shall burn the memorial of it, part of the beaten corn thereof, and part of the oil thereof, with all the frankincense thereof: it is an offering made by fire unto the LORD.
These verses describe a meal offering from the firstfruits of the harvest. Considering verse 12 above, I am assuming that the priests burned the required portion of this offering somewhere other than on the altar. The meat or grain offering was to consist of kernels from full ears of corn dry roasted by fire, topped with oil and presented with frankincense. It seems to be an offering made specifically to thank God for the harvest. Again, the frankincense represents the prayer of thanks in the heart of the one bringing the offering.