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LEVITICUS – LESSON THREE

(4:1-6:7)

 This lesson reveals God’s law regarding the sin and trespass offerings. These offerings are offered for those who sin “unwittingly” or “unintentionally.”  The root Hebrew term denotes going astray or erring, and is used to describe sin which one does ignorance, not knowing he has sinned or inadvertently not done on purpose, but through carelessness. When the congregation or an individual is made aware of sins done ignorance, they are to offer the sin or trespass offering (Lev. 4:14, 28; 5:3). If knowing that one has sinned, but committed inadvertently, the person is to  offer the sin or trespass offering (Lev. 4:2-3, 5:17).

I. SIN OFFERING – EMPHASIZING PERSONS (4:1-35)

  A. PRIEST WHO SINS (4:3-35)

1. Young bullock – without blemish is presented

2. Priest lays on hand – identifies him with the sacrificial animal.

3. Priest kills bullock.

4. Anointed priest sprinkles blood of animal seven times before the veil in the tabernacle – probably on the floor where                   the veil comes down; puts some blood on horns of the altar of sweet incense; the rest is poured out at the base of the                 altar before the tent of meeting.

 B. WHOLE CONGREGATION SINS (4:13-21)

1. Same procedure as offering for priest, except elders of the people lay on the hands identifying congregation with the sacrifice.

2. “They shall be forgiven.”

 C. RULER WHO SIINS (4:22-26)

1. Same procedure as offering for priest, except:

a. Goat without blemish is offered.

b. Blood thrown on horns of altar outside the door of the tent of meeting instead of golden altar of incense.

2. “He shall be forgiven.”

 D. INDIVIDUAL AMONG THE PEOPLE (4:27-35)

1. Same procedure as offering for ruler, except:

a. Female goat or lamb is offered, not a male.

2. “He shall be forgiven.”

II. TRESPASS OFFERING  - EMPHASIZING THE TRANGRESSION (5:1-6:7)

 A. Various trespasses: (5:1-6)

1. Not bearing witness when asked to testify.

2. Touching unclean things.

3. Swear rashly.

 B. Purpose of offerings: make atonement for person’s sin (5:6, 13, 16, 6:7)  

 C. Sacrifices offered according to what one could afford (5:7-13)

1. Female lamb or goat

2. If not able to supply one of the above, one could offer two turtle doves or two young pigeons: One offered for a sin offering; the other for a burnt offering.

3. If not able to supply birds, then one can offer a measure of fine flour – no frankincense or oil in sin offering; remnant of sacrifice belongs to the priest as a meal offering.

  D. Trespass in holy things of God – 1/5 part added to priests (5:14-19)

1. Ram offered, without blemish – estimated price in terms of silver shekel of the sanctuary.

2. Person adds 1/5 part to priest.

3. “Shall be forgiven.”

 E. Trespass in dealings with people – 1/5 part added to offended neighbor (6:1-7)

1. Trespass is against Jehovah.

2. Various trespasses:

    a. Cheat neighbor out of money.

    b. Oppress neighbor

    c. Swear to a lie.

3. Guilty party will restore and add 1/5 part to what was stolen.

4. Ram offered without blemish – estimated price.

5. “Shall be forgiven.”   

QUESTIONS:

1. What two situations can be seen in sinning “unwittingly”?

2. How could the following sins be done “unwittingly”?

 a. Not bearing witness called to do so solemnly.

 b. Touching an unclean thing.

 c. Swearing rashly.

 d. Cheating neighbor out of money.

 e. Oppressing neighbor

 f. Swearing to a lie.

3. Why do you think that when the Priest sins, it is not said of him that his sin was made known to him before he offered his sacrifice?

4. What two places was the blood of the sacrifice of sin of a priest applied?

5. What part of the animal was burned upon the altar at the door of the tent of meeting?

6. What happened to the remainder of the animal in the sin offering for the priest?

7. What point is the Hebrew writer making in Hebrews 13:10-14 when he refers to what happens to the rest of the animal in the sin offering for the priest?

8. If the blood of bulls and goats cannot take away sin (Hebrews 10:4), how can the sin offerings for the whole congregation, rulers or an individual among the people result in those who have sinned “being forgiven” (Lev. 4:10, 26, 31)?

9. How does the spiritual concept in the trespass offering differ from the concept in the sin offering?

10. How does God accommodate the sinner who cannot offer up a lamb or a goat?

11. What was the standard currency in determining the cost of the sin regarding the holy things?

12. What were some sins regarding “the holy things” which a trespass offering was to be offered?

13. What was to be added to the trespass offering?  Why?