Introduction to the Levitical Offerings

"And the LORD called unto Moses, and spake unto him out of the tabernacle of the congregation, saying, Speak 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." (Leviticus 1:1,2)

The book of Leviticus continues where the book of Exodus leaves off. In Exodus, we see the redemption of the Lord's people: in Leviticus, the thought of sacrifice and worship is prominent.

In Exodus, Jehovah spoke to Moses from Mount Sinai, and we know that the relationship of Sinai is that of the law (Gal 4). In Leviticus, however, we see God speaking to Moses out of the tabernacle of the congregation. God's dwelling place had been constructed according to His precise specifications and reared up by Moses; God now dwelled in the midst of His people from between the two cherubims above the mercy seat (Ex 25:22), within the vail, typifying Christ's flesh (Heb 10:20). From this position, God clearly speaks to Moses in grace.

We will find that the book of Leviticus is truly a book of worship, founded on God's grace toward his people, but we must ever realize that the basis of that grace is a sacrifice acceptable to God, for without the shedding of blood there is no remission for sin (Heb 9:22).

And so it is in worship. In order to worship God in a manner that is acceptable and pleasing to Him the worshipper must draw near to God on the basis of an acceptable blood-shedding sacrifice, and that basis is founded on none other than the precious blood of the Lord Jesus Christ.

We find in Leviticus five offerings ordained by the Lord, in the following order:

1. the burnt offering,
2. the meat (meal) offering,
3. the peace offering
4. the sin offering, and
5. the trespass offering.

The particulars regarding the animals and ingredients used for the offerings - as well as the preparation and disposal of each of these - vary to a great degree.

Knowing that all things in the Scriptures concern the Lord Jesus (Luke 24:44), and that these things were written for our learning (Rom 15:4), the first question we want to ask then, is this: why did the Holy Spirit record these differences? We will find that in each of these offerings a different aspect of the Person and Work of the Lord Jesus is set forth for our understanding. The more we study these precious types, the greater will our apprehension of Him be.

As a final introductory thought, we can appreciate that even the order in which these offerings are presented have significance. When God gave the specifications to Moses for the tabernacle and its furniture, He began with the mercy seat, and worked outward from there, signifying God reaching out to man in grace. But man's approach to God is in the opposite order. So too, with the offerings. We will find that while God begins with the burnt offering and ends with the trespass offering, man's approach to God begins at the trespass offering and ultimately reaches the burnt offering. What precious thoughts are in this alone! Nevertheless, all is based on the cross at Calvary, and all speaks of the Lord Jesus Christ.