Old Testament Sacrifices

I learned something new about the sacrificial system of the Israelites recently. If you have an NIV Study Bible you can find this info in the notes of Leviticus 4.

There were 5 main types of sacrifices offered by the Israelites.
1. Burnt offering – This was a voluntary act of worship for unintentional sin.
It was an expression of devotion and surrender to God.
2. Grain offering – This was also a voluntary act of worship and a recognition
of Gods goodness and provision.
3. Fellowship offering – This was also a voluntary act of worship.
It was intended to be thanksgiving and fellowship.
4. Sin offering – This was a mandatory atonement for specific unintentional
sin, confession of sin, and cleansing from defilement.
5. Guilt offering – This was also a mandatory atonement for sin requiring
restitution, cleansing from defilement.

There was a specific order these offerings was to be made:
1. Sin or guilt offering – Sin has to be dealt with first.
2. Burnt offering – Next the worshiper pledges complete devotion and surrender.
3. Fellowship offering and grain offering – Finally there is thanksgiving for
God’s goodness and fellowship with God.

I thought it was interesting that the sacrificial system of the Israelites so closely matches the process of salvation described in the New Testament. Christ (our high priest) made the sin offering on our behalf. The high priest for the Israelites made the sin offering on their behalf. Once we accept this offering made for us and surrender our lives to him as an act of worship we are ushered into fellowship again with God.