 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
||||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
More Leviticus commentaries
Leviticus 19:1-37
Regulations dealing with the the law
Leviticus 20:1-27
Penalties for breaking the law
Leviticus 22:17-25
Perfection is a requirement
Leviticus 23:1-14
Certain times for feasting
Leviticus 23:15-22
What to do when there is sin in Church
Leviticus 23:23-32
Pentecost celebrates the wheat harvest
Leviticus 23:33-44
The “Feast of Tabernacles” was their Thanksgiving
© Family Times | About Us | Donate | Contact Us
Search for sermons by: Commentaries | Scripture search | Topics
Perfection is a requirement
Leviticus 22:17–25
» View this passage in NIV (Bible Gateway)
I once heard about a man who had been stricken with rheumatoid arthritis at age 15. Thirty years later, he was totally paralyzed except for one finger, could barely speak and was totally blind. But he had a string tied to that one mobile finger that could turn on a recorder. He w … More
This section of Scripture deals with restrictions and limitations concerning sacrifices. All sacrifices, whether made by Israelites or non Israelites, must be made without blemish (vv. 17-21). Nothing but perfect sacrifices should be offered to God. The prohibition of offering deformed animals is explained.(vv. 22-25). Just as the priests had to be free from physical defects, so did the sacrifices that they offered have to be perfect or the Lord would not accept them. The priest who had respect for his ministry and high regard for the sacrifices of God would only accept those animals that met God’s requirements. Gentiles are symbolized by unclean animals, and Israel by clean animals while the priests are symbolized by sacrificial animals. The one exception that allowed an animal with certain defects was in the case of a “freewill offering” (v. 23).
Limitations are also given concerning young sacrificial animals. They were not an acceptable offering before the eighth day after they were born. Also any animal was not to be slaughtered on the same day as their mothers (vv. 26-28). This special requirement about the age of the offering shows the tender heart of the Creator toward His creation. A calf or lamb younger than one week who was transported any distance to the sanctuary might die in the process. The time limitation for eating a thanksgiving offering was that it must be eaten the same day (vv. 29-30). If anyone should ask why they should honor and respect the sacrifices of God it is answered in the last three verses of the chapter.
Application
Jesus was the sacrifice. I need to obey Him, glorify Him and give Him the credit for everything in my life.
Leviticus 22:17-25 (English Standard Version)
And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, "Speak to Aaron and his sons and all the people of Israel and say to them, When any one of the house of Israel or of the sojourners in Israel presents a burnt offering as his offering, for any of their vows or freewill offerings that they offer to the LORD, if it is to be accepted for you it shall be a male without blemish, of the bulls or the sheep or the goats. You shall not offer anything that has a blemish, for it will not be acceptable for you. And when anyone offers a sacrifice of peace offerings to the LORD to fulfill a vow or as a freewill offering from the herd or from the flock, to be accepted it must be perfect; there shall be no blemish in it. Animals blind or disabled or mutilated or having a discharge or an itch or scabs you shall not offer to the LORD or give them to the LORD as a food offering on the altar. You may present a bull or a lamb that has a part too long or too short for a freewill offering, but for a vow offering it cannot be accepted. Any animal that has its testicles bruised or crushed or torn or cut you shall not offer to the LORD; you shall not do it within your land, neither shall you offer as the bread of your God any such animals gotten from a foreigner. Since there is a blemish in them, because of their mutilation, they will not be accepted for you."
View this passage in NIV (Bible Gateway) »
Post your comment or question below.