Restrictions And Limitations Concerning Sacrifices
August 29, 2022
Commentary
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 limitationfor 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. (1) These are God’s commandments and they must be obeyed (v. 31). (2) This is the way that God is glorified. (v. 32). (3) It was God who brought everyone out of Egypt (v.33).
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– 33 (NET)
17 The Lord spoke to Moses: 18 “Speak to Aaron, his sons, and all the Israelites and tell them, ‘When any man from the house of Israel or from the resident foreigners in Israel presents his offering for any of the votive or freewill offerings, which they present to the Lord as a burnt offering, 19 if it is to be acceptable for your benefit it must be a flawless male from the cattle, sheep, or goats. 20 You must not present anything that has a flaw, because it will not be acceptable for your benefit. 21 If a man presents a peace-offering sacrifice to the Lord for a special votive offering or for a freewill offering from the herd or the flock, it must be flawless to be acceptable; it must have no flaw.
22 “‘You must not present to the Lord something blind, or with a broken bone, or mutilated, or with a running sore, or with a festering eruption, or with a feverish rash. You must not give any of these as a gift on the altar to the Lord. 23 As for an ox or a sheep with a limb too long or stunted, you may present it as a freewill offering, but it will not be acceptable for a votive offering. 24 You must not present to the Lord something with testicles that are bruised, crushed, torn, or cut off; you must not do this in your land. 25 Even from a foreigner you must not present the food of your God from such animals as these, for they are ruined and flawed; they will not be acceptable for your benefit.’”
26 The Lord spoke to Moses: 27 “When an ox, lamb, or goat is born, it must be under the care of its mother seven days, but from the eighth day onward it will be acceptable as an offering gift to the Lord. 28 You must not slaughter an ox or a sheep and its young on the same day. 29 When you sacrifice a thanksgiving offering to the Lord, you must sacrifice it so that it is acceptable for your benefit. 30 On that very day it must be eaten; you must not leave any part of it over until morning. I am the Lord.
31 “You must be sure to do my commandments. I am the Lord. 32 You must not profane my holy name, and I will be sanctified in the midst of the Israelites. I am the Lord who sanctifies you, 33 the one who brought you out from the land of Egypt to be your God. I am the Lord.”