Sacrifices

Lesson Content

1. In the Old Testament period man could approach God only through sacrifices. Sacrifice was the only order ordained by God, by which man could meet God. Sacrifices brought about a reconciliation between God and man.

2. The Old Testament sa crifices were offered as a shadow of the New Testament experiences (Heb.10:1).

3. The mind of sacrifice was first seen in God Himself. And for this reason God revealed Himself as a Triune God. The Lamb slain from the foundation of the world (Rev.13:8) offered Himself, through the eternal Spirit (Holy Spirit — The Priest) without spot unto God (Heb.9:14).

4. According to the covenant that God had made with Abraham, it was in His will to give the promised land to his generation. But they were slaves in Egypt. A sacrifice was necessary to redeem them who were in bondage and for this God gave them the law concerning the paschal lamb. Through this sacrifice, the Israelites were redeemed from Egypt and set out towards Canaan (Exo.3:7,8).

5. When the Lord God laid down the laws of the tabernacle, He commanded that the brazen altar be placed first, before the door of the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation, that is, in the outer court (Exo.40:6). This shows that the ministry of the altar (sacrifices) is the first among all other ministries in the tabernacle.

6. Firstly, all the Old Testament sacrifices are a shadow of Christ offering Himself as a sacrifice to reconcile man with God. Secondly, they reveal the spiritual sacrifices to be made by the Church, the body of Christ, for her perfection.

7. Each child of God who desires to reach the perfection of Christ must offer Himself to be a sacrifice, that is, the experiences of these sacrifices must be spiritually fulfilled in him.

8. Five major sacrifices and five minor sacrifices were offered during the Old Testament days. The Five Major Sacrifices:

(i) Burnt offering (ii) Meat offering (iii) Peace offering (iv) Sin offering

(v) Trespass offering

Of these, the first three, that is, the burnt offering, the meat offering and the peace offering have to be offered willingly with the whole heart, and not by constraint. They were offered for thanksgiving and for the purpose of honouring God. The sin offering and the trespass offering have to be definitely off ered to atone for sin. The meat offering, sin offering and trespass offering are most holy (Lev.6:14-17). In the lessons following, we can learn in detail about these five major sacrifices. The Five Minor Sacrifices:

(i) Wave Offering (Lev.8:29): Thi s shows saints offering themselves for the four directions of the world (Mk.16:15; Acts 1:8). (ii) Heave Offering (Lev.7:14): This shows saints offering themselves to the Lord (II Tim.1:12). (iii) Drink Offering (Exo.29:40): This shows saints pouring out their lives in the ministry (Phil.2:17; Matt.16:25). (iv) Thanksgiving Offering (Lev.22:29): This shows saints living with a grateful heart, remembering all the good things that the Lord has done (Heb.13:15).

(v) Freewill Offering (Lev.7:16): Th is shows the people of God offering willingly to the Lord according as they purpose in their heart (II Cor.9:7).