Other Sacrifices
What was the function of the burnt offering? Lev. 1:3–9, 22:17–22.
In Leviticus the burnt offering is an atoning sacrifice, but other functions predominate. Because the sacrifice was totally burned on the altar and was accepted for the person, it represented total consecration to the Lord. It also was offered as a votive or freewill offering (Lev. 22:17–22). The votive offering was brought after a vow was fulfilled to express gratitude to the Lord. The freewill offering was an expression of personal devotion, thanksgiving, and joy.
What was the function of the peace/fellowship offering? Lev. 7:12, 16.
The peace offering could be offered as a thanksgiving offering, a votive offering, and a freewill offering (Lev. 7:12, 15, 16). This suggests that the sacrificial act was a joyful occasion (1 Sam. 11:14, 15; 1 Kings 8:62, 63). The fact that the Lord gave back the flesh of the sacrifice to the worshiper to eat it with relatives and friends in His presence (Deut. 12:17, 18) indicates that the sacrifice strengthened the covenant relation through communion with God and other Israelites (Deut. 27:7, 1 Kings 8:63).
What was the function of the meal offering? Lev. 2:1–10.
The meal offering was from the fruits of the land and was a recognition of God’s gracious provision for His people. Everything belonged to God, but He requested that a small portion of it be brought by the people as an expression of gratitude (Deut. 26:9, 10). It was accompanied by the “salt of the covenant” (Lev. 2:13, NIV). Salt was used in the ancient Near East as a preservative and therefore was an appropriate symbol of the binding nature of the covenant (2 Chron. 13:5). The offering was an expression of the person’s willingness to preserve the covenant relationship with the Lord.
In the Old Testament we find so many different offerings with complementary functions, while in the New Testament we find only one single sacrifice. What does that suggest concerning the nature and efficacy of Christ’s sacrifice? What assurance can you take for yourself from this one sacrifice?
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