Word Of Wisdom Ministries
By Cheryl Arnold

We see in Leviticus, beginning in chapter 1, that God gives Moses instructions for animal sacrifices that were to begin in Israel.

Mainly this is to foreshadow and teach that man is sinful and needs a sacrifice for their sin in order to enter the presence of God. God is pure, blinding light and cannot even look upon sin. But He loves His people and wants their worship and fellowship. And He wants willing fellowship. A sacrifice is the only way.

But read for yourself and notice what feelings are evoked when the sacrifices are described. If we read slowly we can see that God wants us to be appalled. We see an innocent sheep or goat or bullock of the first year. The person guilty of sin is to come before the tabernacle, so in the presence of God, and lay his hands on the innocent little animal of their flock, and slay it. He is then to take the blood and sprinkle it all over. How does this feel as we read? Then for the burnt offering, he is to flay it and cut it into pieces. This is visceral and that is intentional.

The sons of Aaron then, the priests, are to set fire to the poor beast, laying in order on the altar it’s head and fat. These are to be places upon the wood that is upon the altar and burned.

The legs and the inward parts of the animal are to be washed with water then placed on the altar to be burned.

This is meant to awaken a sickening, grievous sadness in our hearts as we read. God wants us to see that the sin enjoyed by the person caused the sweet innocent lamb that was pure and not even a spot on it, to be butchered. His blood sprinkled ( even that term evokes a gentle remorse over something that now must be done) and his body chopped up.

It is to make us feel that something is horribly wrong. It’s not just that the innocent should die for the wicked that seems wrong, but the callous mutilation of a poor innocent thing should be required.

God wants us to see the grievousness of sin… all sin. It is the cause of death and mutilation to those guilty and even to the innocent who stand by. My sin hurts anyone who loves me or is affected by me in any way. God wants us to first look at what sin is and then to see what it costs.

We know that the cost is Jesus on the cross who paid for all sin. And these sacrifices were to show God’s people that there is a promise to come…a remedy. Trust and wait and meanwhile be instructed in righteousness.

To even pay the price of the loss of one’s wealth and property which are the blessings of God, is also depicted here. A man’s wealth was his cattle…his food for himself and those he loved.

So these sacrifices are meant to show and express the grievousness and deadliness of the pleasures of sin. The wickedness and injustice of it all is to be shown here.

The end of all things is that there is a way out, but there is only one way out. Jesus died for your sin. Come to Him today and He will show you and deliver you if you desire it.

Notice at the beginning, that this is a voluntary thing. If the person is willing. Salvation is an act of the will. We must choose to be saved.

He is faithful. He is gracious and good and has made a way. Bless His name forever!

Amen.