Standard 11 · Lesson 1

Sacrifices

Reconciliation with God through sacrifice

Reading Portion

Leviticus 6:14-17; Hebrews 10:1

Lev. 6:14-17 ↗ Heb. 10:1 ↗

Sacrifices play a pivotal role in the biblical narrative, serving as a bridge between the divine and the mortal. From the earliest pages to the culmination of Christ's sacrifice, this theme runs deep. "Sacrifice" means giving up something valuable or important, often for the sake of something else considered more valuable or meaningful.

In the Old Testament period, man could approach God only through sacrifices. Sacrifice was the only order ordained by God, by which man could meet God.
Sacrifices brought about a reconciliation between God and man.
The Old Testament sacrifices were offered as a shadow of the New Testament experiences (Heb. 10:1).

The Divine Origin of Sacrifice

  1. God's Self-Sacrifice

    The concept of sacrifice originates in the very nature of God. Within the Trinity, we see a beautiful picture of selflessness and love. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit exist in perfect harmony, each serving and glorifying the others.

  2. The Eternal Lamb

    The Lamb (Jesus — the Son) slain from the foundation of the world (Rev. 13:8) offered Himself, through the eternal Spirit (Holy Spirit — the Priest) without spot unto God (the Father) (Heb. 9:14).

  3. The Covenant Promise

    According to the covenant that God had made with Abraham, it was in His will to give the promised land to his generation. But they were slaves in Egypt. A sacrifice was necessary to redeem them who were in bondage, and for this God gave them the law concerning the paschal lamb. Through this sacrifice, the Israelites were redeemed from Egypt and set out towards Canaan (Exo. 3:7,8).

The Centrality of Sacrifice in Worship

  1. The Brazen Altar

    When the Lord God laid down the laws of the tabernacle, He commanded that the brazen altar be placed first, before the door of the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation — that is, in the outer court (Exo. 40:6). This shows that the ministry of the altar (sacrifices) is the first among all other ministries in the tabernacle.

  2. Shadow of Christ

    All the Old Testament sacrifices are a shadow of Christ offering Himself as a sacrifice to reconcile man with God.

  3. The Church's Spiritual Sacrifices

    They also reveal the spiritual sacrifices to be made by the Church, the body of Christ, for her perfection. Each child of God who desires to reach the perfection of Christ must offer himself to be a sacrifice — that is, the experiences of these sacrifices must be spiritually fulfilled in him.

The Five Major Sacrifices

The Levitical system outlined five major sacrifices, each revealing a unique aspect of our relationship with God. The burnt, meat, and peace offerings were voluntary acts of worship, while the sin and trespass offerings were mandatory for atonement. These sacrifices teach us about wholehearted devotion, gratitude, fellowship, forgiveness, and restoration in our walk with God (Lev. 6:14-17).

  1. Burnt Offering

    Voluntary

    Offered willingly with the whole heart as an act of wholehearted devotion and honour to God.

  2. Meat Offering

    Voluntary

    A voluntary offering of thanksgiving; among the most holy sacrifices (Lev. 6:14-17).

  3. Peace Offering

    Voluntary

    Offered willingly to express fellowship and gratitude to God.

  4. Sin Offering

    Mandatory

    Definitely offered to atone for sin — a mandatory offering for forgiveness.

  5. Trespass Offering

    Mandatory

    Offered to atone for specific trespasses and restore what was wrong (Lev. 6:14-17).

The Five Minor Sacrifices

These minor sacrifices, while less prominent, offer profound insights into our spiritual walk. They challenge us to live missionally, dedicate ourselves fully to God, serve sacrificially, cultivate gratitude, and give generously.

  1. Wave Offering

    Lev. 8:29

    This shows saints offering themselves for the four directions of the world (Mk. 16:15; Acts 1:8). Symbolizing global mission, the wave offering reminds us of our call to spread the Gospel to all corners of the earth.

  2. Heave Offering

    Lev. 7:14

    This shows saints offering themselves to the Lord (II Tim. 1:12). Representing personal dedication to God, it encourages total surrender of our lives to Him.

  3. Drink Offering

    Exo. 29:40

    This shows saints pouring out their lives in the ministry (Phil. 2:17; Matt. 16:25). It illustrates living sacrificially, prioritizing God's kingdom over our own comfort.

  4. Thanksgiving Offering

    Lev. 22:29

    This shows saints living with a grateful heart, remembering all the good things that the Lord has done (Heb. 13:15).

  5. Freewill Offering

    Lev. 7:16

    This shows the people of God offering willingly to the Lord according as they purpose in their heart (II Cor. 9:7) — made from gratitude and a desire to honour God.

Syllabus text

1. In the Old Testament period man could approach God only through sacrifices. Sacrifice was the only order ordained by God, by which man could meet God. Sacrifices brought about a reconciliation between God and man.

2. The Old Testament sacrifices were offered as a shadow of the New Testament experiences (Heb. 10:1).

3. The mind of sacrifice was first seen in God Himself. And for this reason God revealed Himself as a Triune God. The Lamb slain from the foundation of the world (Rev. 13:8) offered Himself, through the eternal Spirit (Holy Spirit — The Priest) without spot unto God (Heb. 9:14).

4. According to the covenant that God had made with Abraham, it was in His will to give the promised land to his generation. But they were slaves in Egypt. A sacrifice was necessary to redeem them who were in bondage and for this God gave them the law concerning the paschal lamb. Through this sacrifice, the Israelites were redeemed from Egypt and set out towards Canaan (Exo. 3:7,8).

5. When the Lord God laid down the laws of the tabernacle, He commanded that the brazen altar be placed first, before the door of the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation, that is, in the outer court (Exo. 40:6). This shows that the ministry of the altar (sacrifices) is the first among all other ministries in the tabernacle.

6. Firstly, all the Old Testament sacrifices are a shadow of Christ offering Himself as a sacrifice to reconcile man with God. Secondly, they reveal the spiritual sacrifices to be made by the Church, the body of Christ, for her perfection.

7. Each child of God who desires to reach the perfection of Christ must offer Himself to be a sacrifice, that is, the experiences of these sacrifices must be spiritually fulfilled in him.

8. Five major sacrifices and five minor sacrifices were offered during the Old Testament days. The Five Major Sacrifices:

(i) Burnt offering (ii) Meat offering (iii) Peace offering (iv) Sin offering

(v) Trespass offering

Of these, the first three, that is, the burnt offering, the meat offering and the peace offering have to be offered willingly with the whole heart, and not by constraint. They were offered for thanksgiving and for the purpose of honouring God. The sin offering and the trespass offering have to be definitely offered to atone for sin. The meat offering, sin offering and trespass offering are most holy (Lev. 6:14-17). In the lessons following, we can learn in detail about these five major sacrifices. The Five Minor Sacrifices:

(i) Wave Offering (Lev. 8:29): This shows saints offering themselves for the four directions of the world (Mk. 16:15; Acts 1:8). (ii) Heave Offering (Lev. 7:14): This shows saints offering themselves to the Lord (II Tim. 1:12). (iii) Drink Offering (Exo. 29:40): This shows saints pouring out their lives in the ministry (Phil. 2:17; Matt. 16:25). (iv) Thanksgiving Offering (Lev. 22:29): This shows saints living with a grateful heart, remembering all the good things that the Lord has done (Heb. 13:15).

(v) Freewill Offering (Lev. 7:16): This shows the people of God offering willingly to the Lord according as they purpose in their heart (II Cor. 9:7).

Memory Verse

“For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.”

Matthew 16:25 (KJV)

Resources

Leviticus 6: Laws for Offerings — The Scripture Revival

Video

Leviticus 7: Wave & Heave Offerings — The Scripture Revival

Video