skip to Main Content

January 21, 2024

Please use the comment section on this page to share insights from today’s reading OR your own personal Bible reading.

Reading along with us in Leviticus? Here’s today’s reading:

Leviticus 4 (NIV)

The Sin Offering
1 The Lord said to Moses, 2“Say to the Israelites: ‘When anyone sins unintentionally and does what is forbidden in any of the Lord’s commands—
3“ ‘If the anointed priest sins, bringing guilt on the people, he must bring to the Lord a young bull without defect as a sin offering for the sin he has committed.……Continue Reading

Next: Leviticus 5

Back: Leviticus 3

This Post Has 11 Comments
  1. I looked up the meaning of unintentional sins because it seemed a bit grey and I read this simple explanantion…
    “The root of the Hebrew word translated unintentionally has the idea of “to wander” or “to get lost.” No one intends to get lost; but when it happens, you are still lost – and, if truly lost, need to be rescued.”
    These are the sins that we think less of in our earthly thoughts of a moral hierarchy. It made me think how so many things today are starting to fall into these categories then even 20-30 years ago. But it is clear from this chapter that whether someone sins because they don’t believe or follow God’s will for their life or if we are someone that lives in obedience to God and still let things slide that we know are against His commands both of those sins in God’s eyes need to stop and we need to seek true repentance.

  2. Thanks for the explanation, Kelly. The detail described, the blood spilt and applied and the sacrifice burned outside the camp once again reenforces the seriousness of sin and the cost associated with it. If the cost is great, then the effect on one’s life is great as well. As God tries to help the Jews make that connection through their adherence to these dictates, may we follow the Spirt’s conviction in revealing sin to us and leading us to confession and repentance towards it. Thankfully that is the path we have….a far less bloody affair because of the blood spilt in Jesus’ sacrifice.

  3. Really good points, Kelly. It is good to see how this all applies to our lives and our behavior. How often do we unintentionally sin and think nothing of it? How many sins of yesteryear are justified today? Thank God for the sacrifice of His son and the age of grace. But also may the Holy Spirit convict us and sanctify us that we may walk more and more in truth and righteousness.

  4. Here is an explanation of the five main types of sacrifice according to [ Holman Bible Dictionary]. [ One is The whole Burnt offering; a means of atonement that symbolizes the dedication of the whole life to God, The entire animal was burned on the altar. 2 The cereal or grain offering; indication that everyday life is a gift from God, since grain constituted the everyday diet in ancient Israel. 3 The peace, or shared offering the sacrifice of part of the animal and a communal meal from the remainder of the meat. Also called Fellowship offering. 4 The sin, or purification offering; a sacrifice of repentance for sin which has broken human relations to God and has endangered the welfare of the community. This sacrifice is for unwitting sin. 5 The guilt offering; might also be called a compensation or reparation offering, for it calls for sacrifice and compensation to one who has been wronged. The guilty one repays that which has been taken plus 20 percent.] In another reference source. The Bible Knowledge Commentary they make mention of the drink offering which isn`t listed in Leviticus 1-7 but is referenced in Numbers 15;8-10. It consisted of wine or strong drink. It was offered along with the grain offering which accompanied a burnt or fellowship offering. It was poured out to the Lord. There are very good charts in the reference The Bible Knowledge Commentary. Pages 168 to 171. Detailed information. There is such detail but it helps to refer to this chart. It makes me wonder how the priests kept it straight. But that was their responsibility before God. Some of these offerings were done in conjunction with others. Anyways God bless.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Back To Top