Have you ever wondered how many of us would care to have our sin(s) be made known publicly? I would dare say not too many. It would be a humbling experience. A few years back, songwriter Ray Stevens wrote a tune called, “The Day the Squirrel Went to Church.” It was a humorous tale of a squirrel who got loose in a church causing the “saints” to stand up and confess their sins when the little fella ran up pantlegs and dresses. Needless to say, equal footing among sinners suddenly became well-known.
Orders to give a public confession of some sort are described in the book of Leviticus, where the people of Yah are told how to bring sacrifices for specific sins, thankfulness, or fellowship. In doing this, I would dare say, that your neighbor would have a pretty good idea of what was going on in your life or household. Would a public confession help you to be a better person? Was this the primary reason for a sacrificial system?
In its historical setting, sacrifices to YHWH were provided to answer the question, “How can a holy God live amid a sinful people?” In redeeming Israel from Egypt and in establishing them as a theocratic nation at Sinai, YHWH had made Israel His own people. He pledged to be their God and to dwell with them accordingly. But how can His Holy Presence among sinners be established? The sacrificial system was given to answer this problem.
Besides homage to Elohim, the significance of sacrifice in the form of a substitute paved the way for forgiveness and expiation of sin. The offeror is portrayed as a sinner, a sinful creature in need of forgiveness. The offeror comes with a consciousness of sin seeking restoration to YHWH’s favor using the acceptable sacrifice. The sacrificial victim bears the sin of the worshiper who receives forgiveness by the substitution.
YHWH’s instructions and the theme of substitution gain a more explicit definition in Leviticus. The repeated occurrence of “sin” and phrases such as “if anyone sins” and “for sin” specify not only the occasion but a person’s need to confess.
The descriptive terms “guilt offering” and “sin offering” and the requirements that the sacrifice itself be “without blemish” are reflective of the same. That of Yahweh choosing to provide atonement and to forgive through “the sacrifice” as well as “the priest” who interceded between man and Yahweh so that Yahweh would reside or be among His people.
The oft-repeated expression “bear sin” consistently connotes responsibility for sin and liability to judgment (5:1, 17; 7:18; 10:17, etc.; cf. Isa. 53:12; 1Pet. 2:24). The killing of the animal thus signifies the divine judgment that sin merits.
The symbolism of laying hands on the sacrificial animal, confessing sin, and then the ritual slaughter of the animal therefore conveys the idea of deliverance by substitution. Forgiveness is secured by substitutional sacrifice.
Finally, the repeated assurance that the sacrifice was a “pleasing aroma to the Lord” symbolizes Yah’s satisfaction with the sacrifice and acceptance of the sinner to be in The Presence of Yah.
Of course, some questions remain. Can an animal take the place of a man or woman? Can the blood of an animal atone for the sin of a nation? And if the sacrifices do indeed secure God’s favor and forgiveness, why must they be repeated?
From the picture being created, we can note the sacrificial system established the structure and frame of reference for Yah’s redemptive purpose: Sinners may obtain divine favor if an acceptable substitute could be found to offer to YHWH in sacrifice.
This term acceptable must be in line with Yah’s pleasure. Throughout the Torah, the substitute is “without blemish” or is the “best” of what a person has to offer. We also see the concept of the sinner moving forward with a “willing heart” to relinquish cherished sin.
The Son of Yah clearly defines both the acceptable sacrifice and the willing heart. Yah spoke of such, proclaiming “in whom I am well-pleased” several times during Yeshua’s ministry. In turn, Yeshua (not as a sinner, but as one who carries the sins of the world on his shoulders) offered Himself as the sacrifice without blemish.
“. . . how much more will the blood of Messiah, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to YHWH, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? For this reason, He is the mediator of a NEW COVENANT, so that, since a death has taken place for the redemption of the violations that were committed under the first covenant, those who have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.” I Corinthians 9:14-15
Are you willing to publicly walk forward amid peers, family, and friends to declare your sacrifice? Your sacrifice being that of accepting Yeshua’s sacrifice and proclaiming your allegiance to Him? Are you ready to stand up with the saints and clear your conscious of a sin even if it takes a squirrel running up your leg to do so? It’s OK. Let it out so it can be let go!
The Apostle Paul states:
“Therefore I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to YHWH, which is your spiritual service of worship. Romans 12:1
Be blessed this Sabbath,
Rollyn