RPG Adults
SIN OFFERING – GRADATION OF ANIMALS ALLOWED
SATURDAY, APRIL 13
Leviticus 4
1 Timothy 1:12-15
“If the priest that is
anointed do sin…”
SIN OFFERING – GRADATION OF ANIMALS ALLOWED
The sin offering was not so much for the atonement of sin as the burnt offering was. The burnt offering was always for the atonement of sins and the animals were carefully stipulated. The gradation was based upon the wealth of the sinner. If he was wealthy, he had to bring an ox. For the middle-income sinner, he could bring a male sheep or goat; and for the ones who were poor, they could bring turtledoves or pigeons. All of them must be without blemish.
In the case of the sin offering, male or female animals were allowed and of differing gradation: An ox for the sin of the high priest or congregation; a male goat for the king; a female goat or lamb for the common worshipper; turtledoves or pigeons for the poor; and a tenth of an ephah of flour for the very poor. This gradation pointed to the mitigation that since it was a sin of ignorance, it was not the same as a deliberate transgression. It seemed to teach that if the sinner had known that it was a sin, he might not have committed it. Nevertheless, it was still a sin in God’s eyes and of the sinner too. He would know that it was a sin, after the fact. He still needed to seek the cleansing of his sin.
In the case of the gradation, the severity of the sin of ignorance differed. When committed by the high priest (though only one person), his sin would be regarded as equal in severity to the sin of the whole congregation. The reason was that as the high priest, the most holy person, being spiritual and knowledgeable of God’s Word, his sin of ignorance was greater in the eyes of God. He should know better. This is also true in the church today. Pastors and elders are expected to know the Scriptures better than the people in the pew. In God’s eyes, their sin of ignorance is more severe than that of the common worshipper. These leaders need to study the Word of God more to avoid the sin of ignorance. A sin is a sin and the name of Christ is tarnished, even when it is the sin of ignorance. The Name of Christ is weightier when borne by leaders of the church.
MEMORISATION: Leviticus 4:3
PRAYER: Make me a better student of Thy Holy Word, Father, for Jesus’ sake. Amen.