This week we
will continue to study the Book of Leviticus.
5:1-13: Continuation of “Sin Offering” committed by individuals of 4:27-35
The
kind of unintentional sin covered previously appears to be a violation of the
“expressed” commands of the Lord. In light of this, consider the following:
(1) What is the first type of sin covered in v. 1?
(2) What is the second type of sin covered in v. 2?
(3) What is the third kind of sin covered in v. 3?
(4) What is the fourth kind of sin covered in v. 4?
(5) Which of the four above, in your opinion, is the more serious, wicked sin?
(6) Why then are they grouped together?
(7) Apart from the offering specified, what has to precede the making of the sacrifice according to v. 5?
(8) What is the specified animal for sacrifice? Why can it be substituted by two doves or two young pigeons?
(9) If he cannot even afford two doves or pigeons, what can be done?
a. How then could it act as a sin offering if no blood is being sprinkled and poured out?
b. In order to act as a sin offering, why can’t oil or incense be put on the flour? (2:12)
5:14-19: Guilt Offering
(10) The unintentional sin being covered here is in regard to the Lord’s “holy things”. According to Leviticus 22, offerings made to the priests are called “holy things” and in chapter 27, things dedicated to God are “holy things”; these include animals, houses, land and tithes. In general, it is sin committed concerning the things that are already, or are meant to be dedicated to the temple or the priests. Can you think of any contemporary equivalent that you might “inadvertently” commit in this respect?
(11) The “guilt offering” differs from the “sin offering” in that the emphasis seems to be on “compensation” (hence, some call it “reparatory offering”): Apart from the specified offering of a ram, what else is required of the sinner? Why?
(12) What is the main message to you today and how may you apply it to your life?
Note:
In general, scholars consider that the sin covered under 5:17-19 is in the same category of unintentional sin against the “holy things”, either as an reiteration or expansion or a “catch-all” provision.
6:1-7: This section deals with intentional fraud against one’s neighbor.
(1) List the various sins detailed in this section. Have you ever committed such a sin? When? Before or after you have become a Christian?
(2) Apart from having to “return what he has stolen, taken by extortion or what was entrusted to him, or the lost property he has found, or whatever it was he swore falsely about (in order to possess it)”, consider the following.
a. What is he to do to make restitution?
b. What is he to do to make atonement before the Lord?
c. Why is such a “guilt offering” different from a mere “sin offering”?
d. What might be the message or emphasis of a guilt offering?
6:8-30: Elaboration of instructions to the priests concerning the burnt offering, cereal offering and sin offering: Since the detailed instructions have already been given concerning these sacrifices, especially concerning the duties of the offerers, these are instructions applicable mainly to the priest. Therefore, we shall focus on the additional emphases for the priests in our reflection:
(3) Burnt offering (6:8-13): Try to see the importance and spiritual implication of each of the following emphases.
a. Burnt sacrifice is to remain on the altar throughout the night till morning: This might mean that it has to be burnt totally to ashes, without being removed prematurely.
b. Fire of the altar must be kept burning continually by adding firewood day and night: This means the altar fire is burning perpetually.
c. Priest must put on a holy dress, including undergarments during the ceremony: The emphasis is putting on the entire priestly dress in the offering of the sacrifice.
d. The holy dress is worn except when disposing ashes outside the camp, i.e. when the priest leaves the compound of the Tent of Meeting
(4) Cereal Offering I (6:14-18): Again, try to reflect on the importance and spiritual implication of each of these emphases:
a. Aaron and sons must eat their portion without yeast.
b. They are also to eat it in a holy place within the courtyard of the Tent of Meeting.
c. It is “most holy”: Whatever touches them will become holy.
d. Only male descendants may eat.
(5) Cereal Offering II (6:19-23): It is offered on the day of the anointing of Aaron and his sons as priests (which, according to Jewish traditions, was to be continued on a daily basis by the High priest so anointed). Reflect on these special instructions applicable to the priest’s own offering.
a. A total of 1/10th of an ephah; half in the morning and half in the evening;
b. To be cooked on griddle — mixed with oil, presented in broken pieces;
c. To be prepared by Aaron’s successor;
d. Must be burnt completely, nothing to be eaten.
(6) Sin offering (6:24-30): Reflect on the significance and spiritual implication of each of these emphases:
a. It is slaughtered where the burnt offering is slaughtered: It is most holy.
b. The priest eats his portion in a holy place within the courtyard of the Tent of Meeting.
c. Whatever touches that portion will become holy.
d. He must wash the garment spattered with blood in a holy place.
e. If a clay pot was used to cook the meat, it must be broken.
f. If a bronze pot was used. it must be scoured and rinsed.
g. Only male descendants can share the meat.
h. But meat with blood meant for the sin offering must be burnt, not eaten.
(7) What is the main message to you today and how may you apply it to your life?
(1) 7:1-10: Instructions to the priest—The guilt offering: There are no new instructions, but emphases or clarifications only. These include the following:
a. It is the most holy offering;
b. It is slaughtered where the burnt offering is.
c. The blood is to be sprinkled against all sides of the altar.
d. Fats and inner parts must be burnt.
e. The portions for priests are to be eaten by male descendants of priest’s family only.
f. And it is to be eaten at a holy place.
g. The priest is to keep the hide; for cereal offerings, he may keep the cooked or uncooked portions.
What might the reason for the above repetitions of those described in chapter 5? Why is the guilt offering referred to here as “the most holy”?
(2) 7:11-21: Instructions to the priest — on the Fellowship offering. Many more details are given to clarify those in chapter 3:
a. Three reasons are given for the making of Fellowship offerings. What are they? Because of these three reasons, Calvin calls it, “the sacrifice of prosperities”. Do you agree? Why or why not?
b. In addition to the normal sacrifice made during Fellowship offerings, what are the four types of cakes to be offered, and to be given to the priests?
c. As for the first kind of Fellowship offering, that of Thanksgiving, the meat portion which is not burnt must be eaten on the same day, none is to be left till the next morning. While the meat for vow or freewill Fellowship offering may be left over to be finished on the next day, nevertheless none can be left till the third day and has to be burnt up. Why might there be such a difference?
d. If eaten beyond the time limit, what will happen?
- The offering will not be accepted: Why?
- The offerer will not be credited: What will he not credited with?
- The offering becomes impure (Hebrew word means “it stinks” or “it is rotten”). Are there any practical reasons other than spiritual ones?
- The eater will be held responsible: While it is not being spelt out, what might this mean?
e. Meat in contact with unclean things cannot be eaten, but must be burnt up: Why?
f. An unclean person who eats meat so offered must be cut off: Why should the punishment be so severe?
(3) 7:22-27: Prohibition against eating fat and blood reiterated: What is the consequence of such a violation? Why would the punishment be so severe? (Calvin opines that the prohibition against the eating of fat, “was an exercise of piety…because He had assigned to Himself”.)
(4) 7:28-38: Clarification of the priest’s share in the Fellowship Offering: (i) the breast is given to the priest as a wave offering and (ii) the right thigh is given to the priest as a contribution.
a. What is the purpose of such a regular giving to the priest?
b. What might the “waving” of the breast signify?
(5) What is the main message to you today and how can you apply it to your life?
The Ordination of Aaron and His Sons:
The concluding verses of the last chapter tell us that the regulations concerning the various kinds of offerings were given by the Lord to Moses on Mount Sinai “on the day he commanded the Israelites to bring their offerings to the Lord” (7:37-38). In order that these offerings could be presented, Moses now had to officially ordain Aaron and his sons to perform their duties. The ceremony and its preparation are being summarized below for reflection.
8:1-4: The Gathering
(1) Who were gathered for such a ceremony and where was it?
(2) What were to be brought together for the ceremony?
8:5-9: The Preparation
- Aaron (the high priest) and his sons (his assistants) washed themselves with water.
- Moses helped put the priestly garment on Aaron which included these items:
a. Tunic
b. Robe
c. Ephod – tied with the waistband
d. Breastplate (with names of 12 tribes) with Urim and Thummim in it
e. Turban with the sacred diadem (names of 12 tribes)
(3) This was the first time they put on their priestly garment: How would Aaron and his sons feel?
(4) How would the assembly feel looking at Aaron so dressed?
8:10-13: The Ceremony — Part 1: The consecration
- Moses consecrated the tabernacle and everything in it by anointing them with oil.
- Moses sprinkled the altar seven times with oil.
- All was consecrated with oil: the altar, all its utensils and the basin with its stand.
- Moses consecrated Aaron by anointing his head.
- Moses dressed Aaron’s sons with priestly dress.
(6) With such an elaborate ceremony, how do you understand the meaning and importance of consecration?
(7) How should we approach our worship of and service to the Lord?
(8) Read Psalm 133:2 to get a sense of how the psalmist views this ceremony.
8:14-29: The Ceremony — Part 2: The offerings for Aaron and his sons
- Sin Offering (8:14-17): The sacrifice of a bull was for atonement of sin as in chapter 4.
- Burnt Offering (8:18-21): The sacrifice of a ram was a pleasing aroma as in chapter 1.
- Ordination Offering (8:22-29): The sacrifice of another ram (in essence, a peace offering):
a. With the blood, Moses put some on Aaron’s right earlobe, thumb of right hand and big toe of right foot (the same was done with Aaron’s sons).
b. Moses sprinkled blood against all sides of the altar.
c. He put a cake of bread + one made with oil and water + a wafer on the fat, inner parts and right thigh of ram, and laid them all in the hands of Aaron and sons who waved them before the Lord (as a wave offering).
d. After they are waved, Moses put them on top of the burnt offering and burnt them as “ordination offering”, also as a pleasing aroma to the Lord.
e. Breast of ram belonged to Moses and was waved as a “wave offering”.
(9) What might be the necessity and meaning of the sin offering and the burnt offering that preceded the actual ordination offering?
(10) How might we apply this necessity and meaning to those who serve the Lord today?
(11) When it comes to the Ordination Offering, what might be the meaning of putting of blood on the earlobe, thumb and big toe of Aaron and his sons?
(12) Are there any other parts of the ceremony that carry significance to you?
8:30-36: The Ceremony — Part 3: Final Act
- Moses consecrated Aaron and his garment with oil and some of the blood from the altar (the same was done with his sons).
- Aaron
and his sons cooked and ate meat (left from the Ordination ram) at the entrance
of the Tent of Meeting together with
bread.
a. The left-over meat and bread burnt are burnt up.
b. They remained at the entrance for seven days till the end of the ordination.
c. All was done for their atonement.
d. And so they “will not die”.
(13) Serving the Lord as priests should be such joy. Why does it also seem to be such a fearful event?
(14) What is the main message to you today and how may you apply it to your life?
Now ordained, Aaron proceeded to begin his ministry as the high priest:
(1) How did the previous seven days prepare Aaron for his first ministry at the tabernacle?
(2) To begin his ministry, the high priest had to make atonement for his own sin. How important is that for a minister or leader to make public confession of his own sin before his people?
(3) How did the designation of the first sacrifice being a bull remind Aaron of his own sin? (See Exod. 32)
(4) After Aaron completed all the prescribed offerings for himself and the people, he lifted his hands toward the people and blessed them:
a. How does this reveal the real role of the high priest?
b. How may he be truly a blessing for the people?
c. In what way(s) may we learn from Aaron in the serving of God’s people?
(5) From now on, in terms of his position, Aaron did not need Moses to be the “go-between” between God and himself. Instead he now was the “go-between” between God and His people. How did God affirm His choice of Aaron at this time?
(6) Can you recall in the Scriptures other occasions where God revealed His miraculous power associated with the fire on the altar of sacrifice? (See Jdg. 13:20; 1 Ki. 18:39; 2 Chr. 7:3) How similar was the response of the worshippers?
(7) Of course, this was a special occasion where God chose to reveal Himself in such an amazing fashion. Is God’s presence any less real as we worship Him today? Why or why not?
(8) What is the main message to you today and how may you apply it to your life?
Scholars in general consider this tragic incident to have happened within the same day of the inauguration of the priesthood of Aaron and his sons based on the unfinished sacrificial meal mentioned by Moses in the latter part of the chapter:
(1) Who were Nadab and Abihu, and how much should they be aware of their sacred role and ministry? (See Exod. 6:23; 24:1; Lev. 8:1, 6, 13, 14, 31 and 36; 9:12)
(2) What sin had they committed as priests? (See Exod. 30:9 and Lev. 16:12 to get an idea.)
(3) Given the numerous emphases and reminders by Moses to “do what the Lord requires, so you will not die” (8:35 etc.), what might be the reason(s) these two elder sons of Aaron would offer unauthorized fire, even on the first day of priesthood?
(4) The punishment by God was both severe and swift. What reason was given by Moses in v. 3? What were the two-fold reasons given?
(5) “Aaron remained silent” (10:3). How can you describe the heart of Aaron in the following?
a. First as the High priest
b. And as the father of his two sons
c. Do you think he might resent God? Why or why not? Would you, if you were Aaron?
(6) The touching of dead bodies would certainly cause the attending priests (who still had unfinished business in the Tent of Meeting) to be unclean, so Moses summoned the two cousins to carry the bodies outside the camp: Can you imagine how the rest of the people felt about this incident? Consider these below:
a. Their brothers, i.e. Eleazar and Ithamar
b. Their mother
c. The people who had just shouted for joy when they heard about it
(7) Why did Moses tell Aaron and his other sons not to let their hair be unkempt nor tear their clothes? Was it too harsh (or even cold) not to allow them to mourn? (See Lev. 21:10)
(8) Why would such an expression of mourning invite God’s anger?
(9) Why couldn’t Aaron and his sons leave the entrance of the Tent of Meeting at this point?
(10) How did they respond to the words of Moses?
(11) What is the main message to you today and how may you apply it to your life?
Upon the death of the two sons of Aaron, the following events occurred:
- The Lord spoke directly to Aaron for the first time in Leviticus (10:8-11).
- Moses also reiterated the eating regulations concerning the cereal and fellowship offerings (10:12-15).
- Moses was angry with Aaron’s sons for inappropriate treatment of their portion of the sin offering (10:16-20).
10:8-11
(1) Now the Lord spoke directly to Aaron for the first time. What did it signify: His anger or His affirmation?
(2) What were the two areas that the Lord cautioned Aaron of? Why these two areas and why at this time? (See Note below)
(3) What was the third thing that God instructed Aaron of? Why did the Lord choose to emphasize it?
10:12-15
(4) What was the thing that Moses reminded Aaron and his sons of concerning the eating of the cereal/grain offering?
(5) What was the thing that Moses reminded them of concerning the eating of the meat apportioned to them in the peace offering?
(6) What was the distinction between the two that Moses sought to highlight?
(7) Why did he choose to remind them of these at this moment?
10:16-20
(8) What was Moses upset about?
(9) Why was he upset?
(10) How did Aaron respond to Moses’ confrontation?
(11) Was Moses being judgmental? Why or why not?
(12) What can you learn from Aaron in his response to Moses?
(13) What is the main message to you today and how may you apply it to your life?
Note:
It appears that the prohibition of wine drinking “on the job” was a new instruction given here. Some opine that the Lord sensed that Aaron and his sons might wish to ease their pain with wine, and others think that Nadab and Abihu sinned because of drunkenness. Both are educated guesses.