Substitutionary Sacrifice Series

April 19, 2025

Last week we concluded Exodus. The broken covenant relationship between Yahweh and Israel was restored and the Tabernacle has been built and dedicated.

Today we begin Leviticus. Leviticus is located at the center of the Pentateuch – Genesis and Exodus on one side Numbers and Deuteronomy on the other. This is not an accident. It is an intentional literary device known as a Chiastic Structure. In this type of structure, the most important concept is placed in the middle. By placing Leviticus in the middle, we are getting a clue that of all the books of the Pentateuch, it is the most important and we should pay special attention to it.

The book of Leviticus is saturated with the concepts of holiness and atonement.

Why devote an entire book to just 2 concepts?

God is holy – there is no one like him – he is unique. When people enter into a covenant relationship with him, there is an expectation that they will come to reflect his image – they will be holy as God is holy. Sinful humans, however, have no ability to cleanse themselves from sin or produce holiness, therefore we are in constant need of divine grace, to be cleansed, forgiven and transformed.

Israel has repeatedly demonstrated that they did not understand their role in God’s Master Plan (blessing the world).

They did not understand that holiness “set apart-ness” was necessary for them to be successful.

Leviticus was designed to show Israel what holiness looks like and how to live as God’s holy people within the covenant relationship.

Leviticus 11:45 - I am the LORD who brought you up out of Egypt to be your God; therefore be holy, because I am holy.

The Sanctuary Services were established by God to provide a way for sinful humans, who are not holy by nature, to relate to him. Even in this he extends us grace.

Romans 6:23a - For the wages of sin is death….

We stand condemned…….

The only way to be cleansed, forgiven and declared righteous and “set apart” is through the death of a substitute – an innocent creature.

Blood is mentioned 90 times in the first 15 chapters of Leviticus, demonstrating to us that substitutionary sacrifice is a central theme in the first ½ of the book.

In Genesis 9:3-6, God prohibited the eating or drinking of animal blood. In Leviticus 17:11 we are told why: “For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one’s life.” ---- the blood of the sacrificial animal had a purpose – atonement.

However, this sacrificial system was not an end in and of itself. It pointed to a grander and more far-reaching truth – the voluntary substitutionary sacrifice of Jesus.

John 1:29 - The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!

Romans 6:23b - but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

• Ellen White (RH, December 17, 1872 par. 4) – The divine Son of God was the only sacrifice of sufficient value to fully satisfy the claims of God's perfect law…. He had power to lay down his life, and to take it again. No obligation was laid upon him to undertake the work of atonement. It was a voluntary sacrifice that he made.

Since one kind of sacrifice could not adequately represent all aspects of Christ’s substitutionary work of Atonement, it was represented by the unique features of 5 sacrifices – 3 Voluntary and 2 Required:

• Burnt Offering – Leviticus 1:2-17 and 6:8-13

Humans are not holy by nature. When they approach God, even in gratitude and praise, they still need forgiveness.

Entire sacrifice was given to the Lord, indicating a willingness to surrender everything to God as an act of worship.

Sacrifice took place between the entrance to the courtyard and the Altar – the people could go no further than the Altar.

1 Peter 1:19; 1 Corinthians 11:23-25; Hebrews 4:16; 7:27; Ephesians 5:2.

• Grain Offering - Leviticus 2:1-16 and 6:14-23

Was given as an act of adoration and gratitude that God was the Lord of his people and the He abundantly provided for them.

Always accompanied the Burnt and Peace/Fellowship Offerings

John 6:35, 47-51

• Peace/Fellowship Offering - Leviticus 3:1-16 and 7:11-21

The primary purpose of this sacrifice was not to atone for sin, but could be brought as a gratitude or free-will offering and included the idea of communion and covenant relationship.

The blood tossed on the Altar suggests that whenever a person approached God cleansing and forgiveness was needed.

Matthew 26:26; John 6:53-56; Romans 5:1, 6-11; Ephesians 2:14; Colossians 1:19-20.