The first part of the book of Leviticus gives us a detailed description of the process of receiving forgiveness of sin; it was not a quick one, or an easy one. Leviticus truly does give us a fresh revelation of the gratitude we have for the blood of Jesus that atones for our sin today. We can come to God anytime. We don’t need to bring an animal to the tabernacle and kill it in order to be made right with God. Jesus is our righteousness.

 

For the Israelites though at this time, there was a specific way that God required sacrifices to be brought to Him. They had to have the right type and quality of animal. It couldn’t just be the extra sheep in the heard, the one that wasn’t wanted. It had to be perfect. Also, the one bringing their offering to the Lord was forced to acknowledge their guilt by placing their hands on the sacrifice before they slaughtered it. It was symbolically a transfer of guilt from the person to the animal. Even accidental sin had to be atoned for by blood. Something that was living and beautiful had to die in order to be made right with God.

 

““If the animal you present as a burnt offering is from the herd, it must be a male with no defects. Bring it to the entrance of the Tabernacle so you may be accepted by the Lord. Lay your hand on the animal’s head, and the Lord will accept its death in your place to purify you, making you right with him. Then slaughter the young bull in the Lord’s presence, and Aaron’s sons, the priests, will present the animal’s blood by splattering it against all sides of the altar that stands at the entrance to the Tabernacle.”Leviticus‬ ‭1‬:‭3‬-‭5‬

 

God also commanded that the Israelites not drink the blood or eat the fat of animals. Commentators say one reason was due to the fact that it was a common belief that if you drank the blood of a certain animal, you would take on their characteristics. God wanted His people to be different than the pegan religions. He called for a separation, holiness.

 

““And if any native Israelite or foreigner living among you eats or drinks blood in any form, I will turn against that person and cut him off from the community of your people, for the life of the body is in its blood. I have given you the blood on the altar to purify you, making you right with the Lord. It is the blood, given in exchange for a life, that makes purification possible. That is why I have said to the people of Israel, ‘You must never eat or drink blood—neither you nor the foreigners living among you.’”Leviticus‬ ‭17‬:‭10‬-‭12‬

 

““Give the following instructions to the entire community of Israel. You must be holy because I, the Lord your God, am holy.”

‭‭Leviticus‬ ‭19‬:‭2‬

 

God greatly desired closeness with His people. That is why He gave them direction for every aspect of life. There were different types of offerings but I love the peace offering or friendship offering. This offering was given simply to enjoy closeness, friendship, with God. There was no sin committed. It just said “God, I love you and I want to enjoy your presence.”

 

God wanted this closeness with the Israelites, but He also wants it with us today. Our sacrifice doesn’t come in the form of an animal. It comes with a heart fully surrendered and obedient to God.