The children of Israel were encamped at the foot of Mount Sinai where the tabernacle had been set up for the very first time (Exodus 40). Israel had agreed to obey the Lord and all His commandments (Exodus 19:8; Exodus 24:3-8), so He provided further detail into how they could worship Him properly. The presence of God had covered the tabernacle (Exodus 40:34-38) and the Lord spoke to Moses (1:1-2) regarding five sacrifices the people could offer to Him in worship: burnt offerings (Leviticus 1; 6:8-13), grain offerings (Leviticus 2; 6:14-23), peace offerings (Leviticus 3; 7:11-36), sin offerings (Leviticus 4:1-5:13; 6:24-30), and trespass offerings (Leviticus 5:14-6:7; 7:1-10). The first three sacrificial offerings were completely voluntary (burnt, grain, peace) while the last two were mandatory (sin and trespass). These offerings would be a visible demonstration of an individual’s heart condition, whether it was thankful or repentant. Even though sacrifices had been in operation since the time of Cain and Abel (Genesis 4), it is not until this time in Israel’s history when God provides further instruction regarding offerings and sacrifices. It is important to realize that these external offerings are meaningless without the proper attitude of the heart. David would later write, “For You do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it; You do not delight in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, A broken and a contrite heart— These, O God, You will not despise” (Psalm 51:16-17). Disingenuous sacrifices are discarded surrenders.
The burnt offering was a voluntary sacrifice consisting of an unblemished male from the individual’s own flock (cattle, sheep, or goats – see Leviticus 1:10-17 for details of each animal type) which he would take to the door of the tabernacle (1:3). Before sacrificing the animal, the sacrificer would put his hand on the head of the animal which symbolized the sins of the person being transferred to the animal (1:4). This act was known as a substitutionary atonement which meant that the unblemished was being punished for the sin of the guilty. In reality, the animal being sacrificed could only temporarily cover or relieve guilt, but the eventual sacrifice of Jesus Christ permanently removed sin. Hebrews 9:12 reveals, “Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His [Jesus Christ] own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.” The person offering the sacrifice would then kill the animal and the priests caught the blood in a basin and would then sprinkle the blood on the altar (1:5). The slaughtering of the animal would have been a dramatic reminder of the consequences of sin, which is death. Following the sacrifice, the sacrificer would skin the animal (1:6a), cut it into pieces (1:6b), and wash the insides/legs with water (1:9a). The priests prepared the altar for sacrifice by building a fire (1:7) and laying the parts of the animal on the altar (1:8). God describes the burnt offering as a “sweet aroma to the Lord” (1:9). An obedient sacrifice from a truly repentant heart was pleasing to the Lord.
Dear God, may my repentance not only be demonstrated on the outside but also on the inside.
