What was the reason for the Levitical sacrificial system?

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BenAvraham

Senior Member
Aug 30, 2015
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#1
PARASHAH: “Tzav” (command)

LEVITICUS 6:8-8:36………. JEREMIAH 7:21-8:3………MARK 13:1-37

Last week we studied Parasha “Vayikra” (and he called) and this week, we read Parasha “Tzav” (command). We are studying the same offerings, yet the titles are different. One is “Called” and this study falls under “command.” What is the relationship here? One way to look at this is that “offering up to Adonai” is a calling. We are called to “offer up to Him” yet not all respond. But for those who DO respond to the calling, there is a set way to offer up to HIM.

HaShem is saying in a way; “You are called, but I know that not all you will respond, yet to those who DO respond, THIS is how it is done! Remember that today, there are no more animal offerings/sacrifices, yet the offerings are symbolic in the way we relate to HaShem today, through prayer, mitzvoth, our personal relationship with Messiah Yeshua.

We ask; What was the reason for the Levitical sacrifices and offerings? They ALL point to YESHUA!
who was the final and all-sufficient "Sacrifice Lamb" The Levitical sacrifices and offerings were "shadows" of "Messiah" and those who brought their animals demonstrated thus their faith before Yeshua came. The blood, however, only "covered" but did not "blot out" their sins. That is why the "New covenant" under Messiah Yeshua is a "better" covenant.

We continue to look at the “Korbanot Shel Mishkan” (the offerings of the Tabernacle) which are…

“The Burnt Offering” (Korban Olah), “The Grain Offering” (Minchah), “The Peace offering” (Zevah Shelamim), the “Sin Offering” (Korban Chatat), “The Trespass or guilt offering” (Korban Asham). One thing about the burnt, sin, and guilt offerings, there had to be “Teshuvah” (repentance) or “a change of heart”. A “Turning away from sin” like when Yeshua told the woman who was caught in the act of adultery; “Go and sin no more!” (by the way, I wonder why the crowd didn’t bring the man?) I mean, if the woman was caught in the “act” the man was there too! Yet he was not brought forth.

The burnt offerings symbolized the recognition of our sin nature and a willingness to give oneself to God. The sin and trespass/guilt offerings symbolized the offeror’s recognition that “I have sinned” in a specific way, unintentionally, and forgiveness was sought. If the trespass was some property damage or stolen, the person offering the animal has to first “compensate” the person offended, and “restitution” was in order. Yet it was restitution plus 5 more of the items, plus a fine besides the offering. Very strict.

It would be good if those tried and imprisoned for theft, would have to pay back the victim the value of said property doing labor in prison, and not be released until the compensation was complete. Or…the state would pay the victim, and the offender would have to pay back the state with said labor. Good idea! Let’s vote on it!

The grain and peace offerings were to “give thanks to God” for blessings received or anticipated. Every time people go to the park and fire-up the BBQ grills and invite guests to eat hamburgers, hot-dogs, sausage, tostadas, grilled peppers, they are, in a way, lifting up a “peace offering”. These offerings were not without fine flour, olive oil, salt, and Frankincense. I guess a good outing in the park could not be complete without garlic bread brushed with a bit of olive oil and salt. Salt in the bible symbolizes “incorruptibility” and what a better way to lay down to rest at night than to light an incense stick of Frankincense.

We can see Yeshua in all of these offerings. The clean animals symbolize Yeshua as the “perfect sacrificed lamb of God” the grain offerings symbolize “Yeshua the Bread of Life” the peace offerings “Yeshua, the Prince of Peace” (Yeshua Sar Shalom). The olive oil the “Ruach HaKodesh” (The Holy Spirit) and the Frankincense “Our prayers and supplications” which go “up” like burning incense.

In this Parashah we see “Ner Tamid” or “Esh Tamid” (the eternal flame or fire) the burnt offering roasted all night and the ashes that remained in the morning were removed to a clean place outside the camp. The fire symbolizes purification, destruction, heat, light, and judgment of sin. It can also symbolize our zeal and love for God and for the things of God, service to Adonai, I am sure you have heard the expression “being on fire for God!” The things we did yesterday are gone, and the things of today remain to be done. We can consider the “ashes” the things of yesterday, and the things of today, are being done, and the things of tomorrow, “yet to be done”

YHVH takes into account ALL things done for His name’s sake, honor, and glory. The ashes of “yesterday” can be our “future rewards” in Heaven in the world to come.

Chapter 8 in the highlight of the Torah. The Torah (Genesis – Deuteronomy) has 304,805 Hebrew letters, 79,977 words, and 5845 verses. Lev 8:15 is the “midpoint” with the word “Yesod” (foundation or base). It talks about Aaron being anointed as high priest. He is symbolically a “type of Messiah.”

“to anoint” is “m sh k” in Hebrew letters. The word “Mishkan” (Tabernacle) also has those letters. The Mishkan was anointed for the place of worship. In the high priest, we have the mediator between man and God, and now “Yeshua” is our “Cohen Gadol” (High Priest)

The blood of the animals used to anoint Aaron and his sons was sprinkled on the horns of the brazen altar and poured out at the “base” or “foundation” of the altar, pointing us to Yeshua who is the “Chief Corner-stone” or the “Foundation Stone” (Yeshua HaYesod)

It is also interesting to see that the first word in the Torah is “B’reisheet” (in the beginning) the middle was now know is “Yesod” (foundation) and the last word in Deuteronomy is “Yisrael” giving us the message that “Yeshua is the Foundation of Israel” but where is “Yeshua” in Genesis? If we take the last letters of the first three words of Genesis “B’reisheet Bara Elohim” we get the word “Emet” (truth) and one of Yeshua’s titles is “The Truth” the “Alef” “Mem” and “Tav”. Yeshua said;

“I AM the Way the Truth and the Life” (John 14:6) .

Aaron and his sons were anointed with blood on their right ear lobes, their right thumbs, and the big toe on their right feet. This can symbolize our “hearing” (Shema) and putting into action what we hear from God’s Word, our “doing” through mitzvoth (good needs, following the commandments) and “walking” according to HIS direction, walking a “Torah based life-style, or “Halacha” as some put it. This was the ministry of Aaron and his sons, and also our ministry as well.

JEREMIAH 7:21-8:3; 9:22,23

Adonai speaks to Yirmeyahu (Jeremiah) telling Israel to repent and return to God, yet God told him that Israel would not listen to him. So sad, that was the case. Sacrifices were continued but without true repentance. Kind of like the Mafia big bosses murdering and gunning down people, and then going to mass at church and confess before the priests (if they even did that).

Israel was taken into slavery to live in Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar, only many years later did a remnant return to Israel. We need to get back to God today through true repentance, from the heart and not just with words. Adonai did not ask for sacrifices when he took his people out of Egypt, only obedience to his voice and words, yet Israel failed to obey. The “Korbanot” were HIS way to point his people back to him through Yeshua, the “Emet” (Truth) and the foundation stone from the beginning.

MARK 13:1-37

Yeshua tells his Talmidim about the future. “The end is near,” he tells them. Yet many will say; “Well, that was thousands of years ago, and the end is not in sight!”

We need to remember that our perspective of time is not the same perspective of Adonai’s time. If one thousand years are like a day, then, in reality, time is of no matter to YHVH. Yeshua is saying that “Many will come in my name”. We see that it is true with many false Messiahs, false cults, false doctrines, “adding” to the Word of God saying, “Yeshua isn’t enough, you need…”

Many cults, denominations change God’s Word to fit their beliefs, misinterpret original words. When we listen to preachers and teachers, we must ask ourselves, “Is this what God’s Word is really saying?” does it support solid Bible doctrine, if it does not, then it is mere commentary, “man’s opinion, nothing more.

I believe that the best way to understand God’s word is to get back to the original language and culture to understand what the original writers were saying. Yeshua is coming back, are you ready?
We must live and prepare our lives as if Yeshua will return in the far future yet be ready if He returns tomorrow. It is good to make plans, yet YHVH has the final say.
 

Journeyman

Well-known member
Jan 10, 2019
2,107
763
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#2
The reason for the sacrifices where blood was shed, was for the purpose of acknowledging our sins committed against God (Jesus) and repenting of them.

Our Lord Jesus perfectly demonstrated the love and long suffering and of his Father toward sinners who did not love him and in fact abused him,

love.....bears all things.....endures all things.
1Cor.13:1-7
 

BenAvraham

Senior Member
Aug 30, 2015
914
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#3
Yes, indeed, the blood atones for ALL sin
 
P

pottersclay

Guest
#4
I am so happy you posted this .
The early church had separated the old from the new. In fact even to say that God was through with Israel. That the church replaced Israel. Such a lie has brought the modern day church into a lot of misinformation and understanding.
If we have a never changing God. Is the house of God divided? Of course not. If we have a never changing God ,which we do then, jesus is also never changing (same yesterday today and forever) and the Holy Spirit is never changing also.
So why does today's church teach theology, new age belief, new sims? Because they have separated themselves from the old making Christ a new religion.
God's word is so perfect not only in his truth but also in the words he uses
to describe the details.
God has created the nation of Israel to teach all nation's kindred and tongue about him.
Jesus had come to fulfill and restore that which was lost and forgotten.
Yes we are new creatures in Christ Jesus we (the gentiles) are not of the blood but are adopted into the blood line through Christ. Sons and daughters of the most high.
We must take the time and pray to understand the law and the appointed times to better understand who God is.
As I said before and I still say it today....the new testament was written by jews on how to become christian and better christians. How ironic. Yet it points to the old as it guide.
We need more of the hebrew jesus to be taught. The greek jesus is just a summary
.
 

Journeyman

Well-known member
Jan 10, 2019
2,107
763
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#5
The blood of our Lord Jesus is the life of God,

the life thereof, which is the blood thereof Gen.9:4

the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins Mt.9:6
 

TMS

Senior Member
Mar 21, 2015
3,947
1,270
113
Australia
#6
Hebrews is a good book to read, Chap 9....
God gave the system to His people because it was a type, shadow, example of the true.
Jesus is the lamb, The judgement is explained, the plan of salvation is explained. and God gave this system to Israel because Jesus had not yet come and they practiced it in faith of a coming saviour.

A better sacrifice has come so we no longer need to to practice it.

Heb 9:1-8 describes the sanctuary (or tabernacle), the place that was central to the services in Leviticus.
Heb 9:9 Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience;
Heb 9:10 Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation.

Heb 9:11 But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building;
Heb 9:12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.
Heb 9:13 For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh:
Heb 9:14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?


The earthly sanctuary and services were given so that we can comprehend what is happening in Heaven today.

Jesus is the lamb, and the high priest. He is mediating for us.

God’s way, the plan of salvation, is revealed in the earthly sanctuary. The Bible teaches that everything in the sanctuary—the dwelling, furniture, and services—are symbols of something Jesus did in saving us. This means we can fully comprehend the plan of salvation as we fully understand the symbolism connected with the sanctuary. Thus, the importance of this Study Guide can’t be overstated.
Your way, O God, is in the sanctuary; who is so great a God as our God?” (Psalm 77:13).

Heb 8:1 Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens;
Heb 8:2 A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.
Heb 8:3 For every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices: wherefore it is of necessity that this man have somewhat also to offer.
Heb 8:4 For if he were on earth, he should not be a priest, seeing that there are priests that offer gifts according to the law:
Heb 8:5 Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount.
Heb 8:6 But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.
 

Blik

Senior Member
Dec 6, 2016
7,312
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#7
Thank you for this post. We can get a more in depth understanding of what Christ fulfilled so completely when we exam the shadow that this system was. Shadows are true outlines of what they shadow.
 
B

Blackpowderduelist

Guest
#8
To teach the cost of sin
 

Blik

Senior Member
Dec 6, 2016
7,312
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#9
To teach the cost of sin
That is not the purpose of the sacrificial system, any more than it is the purpose of Christ. It was given as a shadow of Christ, it was not the blood of animals that saved them, it was the shadow of Christ that preserved their souls until Christ was crucified and fulfilled salvation.

The purpose was salvation.
 
B

Blackpowderduelist

Guest
#10
That is not the purpose of the sacrificial system, any more than it is the purpose of Christ. It was given as a shadow of Christ, it was not the blood of animals that saved them, it was the shadow of Christ that preserved their souls until Christ was crucified and fulfilled salvation.

The purpose was salvation.
So what is that cost that was paid. The Blood and body of Christ sacrificed. So what were they to learn? That the cost of sin is death, that the best would have to be sacrificed.
 

Blik

Senior Member
Dec 6, 2016
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#11
So what is that cost that was paid. The Blood and body of Christ sacrificed. So what were they to learn? That the cost of sin is death, that the best would have to be sacrificed.
We are to see the sacrificial system as what the Lord did for us to save our souls, to live with Him. We can learn from this system, but that was not the reason God gave us Christ. This system is a shadow of Christ.
 
B

Blackpowderduelist

Guest
#12
We are to see the sacrificial system as what the Lord did for us to save our souls, to live with Him. We can learn from this system, but that was not the reason God gave us Christ. This system is a shadow of Christ.
Jesus paid for our sins
 
B

Blackpowderduelist

Guest
#14
And Jesus was from the beginning, it tells us so in the very first of the gospel of John.
Jesus PAID, the price for our sin.
 

Journeyman

Well-known member
Jan 10, 2019
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#15
The sacrifice of our Lord Jesus was meant to produce a heart of repentance in sinners who see the wrong that was done to him and are truly sorry for it.
 

Journeyman

Well-known member
Jan 10, 2019
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#16
Today, Christianity teaches that the Father punished the Son for what sinner did. That's not the gospel.

The gospel is that just like his Father, the Son continued to show love toward sinners who spoke and did evil against him. And to this day, Jesus will freely forgive anyone who wants forgivness. Thats good news.
 

Journeyman

Well-known member
Jan 10, 2019
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#17
Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him.....
He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied......Isa.53:10-11

Christianity teaches that God was pleased and satisfied to lay his wrath on his Son for what sinners did, but this isn't what Isaiah means.

Our Lord Jesus submitted himself to his Fathers teaching, or correction, so that his followers would learn just how patient and kind God is toward sinners,

If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? Heb.12:7

God was not pleased that his Son was abused by sinners, but he was very pleased that his Son endured such abuse and continued to love those who tormented him.

That's the gospel.
 

Journeyman

Well-known member
Jan 10, 2019
2,107
763
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#19
Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels?
Mt.26:53

It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. Lam.3:22

Jesus could have destroyed all who sinned against him, but chose to show mercy. That's the gospel.