Leviticus 1-4
The book of Leviticus begins where the book of Exodus ends. The tabernacle has been completed with precise exactness to God's plans. Upon its completion, the Israelites will remain at the base of Mount Sinai for about two years while they receive more instructions from God about right and holy living as God's people. The book of Leviticus is a manual for worship of unholy people to a holy God. As we read Leviticus, allows its laws and sacrificial instructions to transform your perception of our holy God.
Leviticus was written primarily to the tribe of Levi (one of the 12 sons of Jacob which later became one of the 12 tribes of Israel. Every priest that was set aside to serve in the tabernacle came from the tribe of Levi. The Levites will follow this book even more closely to ensure that everyone else lives right with God.
The first type of offering that we learn about is the BURNT Offering which is described in Leviticus 1. It is a voluntary offering and it is not commanded by God on any occasion; however, you would offer it for your sins when you felt compelled to do so. It would show one's true devotion to God.
There will be an emphasis on the sacrifices being "without defect". This would mean that they are strong and healthy animals. They cannot be animals that are already dead, handicapped, bruised, or any other such "second-rate" offering. The purpose of the sacrifice is that it hurts you when you give it up. This is a substitution for your sins! It must cost you something when you give it up! The sacrifice that is "without defect" is a reflection of the ultimate sacrifice that was also "without defect", and that is Jesus.
The second type of offering spoken of in Leviticus is the GRAIN Offering which is described in Leviticus 2. It was a voluntary offering of true worship to God and would acknowledge to all that you and all that you had belonged to God. The offering was to be made form "choice" ingredients. There was no off-brand or out-of-date products used. Only the best was offered. Is your offering to God the best that you have to give? Or could you give better to God?
A "token portion" of the offering was burned for the sacrifice, while a large portion of the offering was kept by the priests as their food. This was commanded by God because the priests and other Levitical workers had no other source of income for God put them to full-time labor of the people in the tabernacle.
The third type of offering spoken of in Leviticus is found in the third chapter and it is a PEACE Offering. This voluntary offering was to express gratitude and thanksgiving to God for His proper care for you and your family. It was to express peace and fellowship with a holy God. Since it was to symbolize peace with God, part of the offering could be eaten and shared with the priests as food to eat.
The fourth type of offering described in Leviticus 4 is the SIN Offering. For the first time we read "MUST" language. The previous three offerings were voluntary and were spread with language such as "when you" or "if you" while this SIN Offering is compacted with the wording of "you must". It sin occurs, and it will, then a sacrifice must be made as its atonement. The Bible speaks highly that sin is a serious thing. And when this serious action occurs, then serious measures must be taken. Even with sin that was unintentional such as what is spoken of in Leviticus 4.
The proverbs continue to offer for us the comparison between the fool and the wise one. However, in some cases, we cannot read an "if, then" situation. For example, we read in 14:5 that a truthful witness does not lie; a false witness breathes lies." But there are some that do not give a stark comparison for instance, 14:7 we read of just a simple statement about the fool: "Stay away from fools, for you won't find knowledge there." This verse gives an indication that when you seek wisdom, you will also find knowledge. Wisdom is defined as knowledge applied and put into practice. We can have a wealth of knowledge as we are gaining from reading the Proverbs; however, if we never apply it and put it into practice, we remain but a smarter fool.
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