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Matthew Henry's Commentary
God ordained divers kinds of oblations and sacrifices, to assure his people of the forgiveness of their offences, if they
offered them in true faith and obedience. Also he appointed the priests and Levites, their apparel, offices, conduct, and
portion. He showed what feasts they should observe, and at what times. He declared by these sacrifices and ceremonies, that
the reward of sin is death, and that without the blood of Christ, the innocent Lamb of God, there can be no forgiveness of
sins. he offerings. (1,2) From the herds. (3-9) From the flocks, and of fowls. (10-17)
Verse
1,2: The offering of sacrifices was an ordinance of true religion, from the fall of man unto the coming of
Christ. But till the Israelites were in the wilderness, no very particular regulations seem to have been appointed. The general
design of these laws is plain. The sacrifices typified Christ; they also shadowed out the believer's duty, character, privilege,
and communion with God. There is scarcely any thing spoken of the Lord Jesus in Scripture which has not also a reference to
his people. This book begins with the laws concerning sacrifices; the most ancient were the burnt-offerings, about which God
here gives Moses directions. It is taken for granted that the people would be willing to bring offerings to the Lord. The
very light of nature directs man, some way or other, to do honour to his Maker, as his Lord. Immediately after the fall, sacrifices
were ordained. Verses 3-9: In the due performance of the Levitical ordinances,
the mysteries of the spiritual world are represented by corresponding natural objects; and future events are exhibited in
these rites. Without this, the whole will seem unmeaning ceremonies. There is in these things a type of the sufferings of
the Son of God, who was to be a sacrifice for the sins of the whole world? The burning body of an animal was but a faint representation
of that everlasting misery, which we all have deserved; and which our blessed Lord bore in his body and in his soul, when
he died under the load of our iniquities. Observe, 1. The beast to be offered must be without blemish. This signified the
strength and purity that were in Christ, and the holy life that should be in his people. 2. The owner must offer it of his
own free will. What is done in religion, so as to please God, must be done by love. Christ willingly offered himself for us.
3. It must be offered at the door of the tabernacle, where the brazen altar of burnt-offerings stood, which sanctified the
gift: he must offer it at the door, as one unworthy to enter, and acknowledging that a sinner can have no communion with God,
but by sacrifice. 4. The offerer must put his hand upon the head of his offering, signifying thereby, his desire and hope
that it might be accepted from him, to make atonement for him. 5. The sacrifice was to be killed before the Lord, in an orderly
manner, and to honour God. It signified also, that in Christians the flesh must be crucified with its corrupt affections and
lust. 6. The priests were to sprinkle the blood upon the altar; for the blood being the life, that was it which made atonement.
This signified the pacifying and purifying of our consciences, by the sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ upon them by
faith. 7. The beast was to be divided into several pieces, and then to be burned upon the altar. The burning of the sacrifice
signified the sharp sufferings of Christ, and the devout affections with which, as a holy fire, Christians must offer up themselves,
their whole spirit, soul, and body, unto God. 8. This is said to be an offering of a sweet savour. As an act of obedience
to a Divine command, and a type of Christ, this was well-pleasing to God; and the spiritual sacrifices of Christians are acceptable
to God, through Christ, (1Pe 2:5). Verses 10-17:
Those who could not offer a bullock, were to bring a sheep or a goat; and those who were not able to do that, were accepted
of God, if they brought a turtle-dove, or a pigeon. Those creatures were chosen for sacrifice which were mild, and gentle,
and harmless; to show the innocence and meekness that were in Christ, and that should be in Christians. The offering of the
poor was as typical of Christ's atonement as the more costly sacrifices, and expressed as fully repentance, faith, and devotedness
to God. We have no excuse, if we refuse the pleasant and reasonable service now required. But we can no more offer the sacrifice
of a broken heart, or of praise and thanksgiving, than an Israelite could offer a bullock or a goat, except as God hath first
given to us. The more we do in the Lord's service, the greater are our obligations to him, for the will, for the ability,
and opportunity. In many things God leaves us to fix what shall be spent in his service, whether of our time or our substance;
yet where God's providence has put much into a man's power, scanty offerings will not be accepted, for they are not proper
expressions of a willing mind. Let us be devoted in body and soul to his service, whatever he may call us to give, venture,
do, or suffer for his sake.
David
Burnette's Life Application A Holy God
Each day we walk through the Bible chapter by chapter making
an application of our text to help us grow in the Lord. Many applications can be made from each day's text. Today we Start
in the book of Leviticus with Chapter 1 and in today's text
we see a book that many have a struggle
in reading. The book of Leviticus. Many start reading the Bible and go through the Books
of Genesis and Exodus very intrigued. Then we they come to this Book they loose interest with all the sacrifices and give
up on reading the Bible from cover to cover. Let me encourage you to continue reading with us and see the Symbolism and Application
we make from this Book which was a handbook for the Priests and Leviticus outlining their
duties in worship and Holy living. Holiness is mentioned 153 time in this Book which is more than any other Book in the Bible.
God wants us to know that He is Holy. The word Holy means spiritually whole or spiritual perfection and God is Holy.
In making application we see the character of God. He is perfect and it takes the appropriate sacrifice to
pay for our imperfection. This simple truth is understanding for why we need Jesus to pay for our sins. Only a perfect
sacrifice could satisfy a Holy God for all eternity and that sacrifice is the Lamb of God, Christ-Jesus. How about you? Do
you see God as a Holy God? Do you then see a need for a Savior, Jesus-Christ? Let us learn from today's text and understand
who God is, A Holy God.
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Leviticus 1 1And
the LORD called unto Moses, and spake unto him out of the tabernacle of the congregation, saying, 2Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, If any man of you
bring an offering unto the LORD, ye shall bring your offering of the cattle, even of the herd, and of the flock. 3If his offering be a burnt sacrifice of the herd, let him offer a male
without blemish: he shall offer it of his own voluntary will at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation before the
LORD. 4And he shall put his hand upon the
head of the burnt offering; and it shall be accepted for him to make atonement for him. 5And he shall kill the bullock before the LORD: and the priests, Aaron's sons, shall bring the blood,
and sprinkle the blood round about upon the altar that is by the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. 6And he shall flay the burnt offering, and cut it into his pieces. 7And the sons of Aaron the priest shall put fire upon the altar, and lay
the wood in order upon the fire: 8And the
priests, Aaron's sons, shall lay the parts, the head, and the fat, in order upon the wood that is on the fire which is upon
the altar: 9But his inwards and his legs shall
he wash in water: and the priest shall burn all on the altar, to be a burnt sacrifice, an offering made by fire, of a sweet
savour unto the LORD. 10And if his offering
be of the flocks, namely, of the sheep, or of the goats, for a burnt sacrifice; he shall bring it a male without blemish.
11And he shall kill it on the side of the
altar northward before the LORD: and the priests, Aaron's sons, shall sprinkle his blood round about upon the altar. 12And he shall cut it into his pieces, with his head and his fat: and the
priest shall lay them in order on the wood that is on the fire which is upon the altar: 13But he shall wash the inwards and the legs with water: and the priest shall bring it all, and burn
it upon the altar: it is a burnt sacrifice, an offering made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD. 14And if the burnt sacrifice for his offering to the LORD be of fowls,
then he shall bring his offering of turtledoves, or of young pigeons. 15And the priest shall bring it unto the altar, and wring off his head, and burn it on the altar; and
the blood thereof shall be wrung out at the side of the altar: 16And
he shall pluck away his crop with his feathers, and cast it beside the altar on the east part, by the place of the ashes:
17And he shall cleave it with the wings thereof,
but shall not divide it asunder: and the priest shall burn it upon the altar, upon the wood that is upon the fire: it is a
burnt sacrifice, an offering made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD.
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