REFLECTIONS IN HEBREWS ~ LET US GO ON TO PERFECTION

/ Michael Battle / 2 Comments

Called of God, a high priest after the order of Melchisedec. Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing. For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. And this will we do, if God permit. ~ Hebrews 5:12-6:3 

Among the many truths set before us in the book of Hebrews is the invitation to enter into a deeper, more intimate, spiritual life.

This is not a mystical, alternate state of spiritual reality. Instead, it is fellowship with the living Christ within the veil, in the presence of God. This is the aim of the writer of Hebrews in teaching his audience regarding Christ’s Priesthood after the order of Melchizedek: Christ, abides forever in the presence of God!

In our text above, the writer of Hebrews speaks of this (Jesus’s High Priestly ministry after the order of Melchisedek) as being difficult to communicate, but it is not because of his ability to teach it. Instead, it is  the dullness of their hearing that makes it difficult.

The audience of Hebrews was stuck in a perpetual state of stunted growth with regards to their spiritual life. They should have been teachers of the very truths the writer is communicating to them, but instead, they were in need of being taught again the elementary truths in Christ.

Rather than growing into spiritual maturity, they were still babes in Christ.
The writer urges them to move forward spiritually from the foundational principles of the faith, but adds, this will we do, if God permit.

If God permits. Consider with me the weight of this statement.

These words need to be considered by every believer because Jesus, who is the source of our faith, is the vine that gives us spiritual life. In John 15:1, Jesus says, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.” The Greek word for husbandman in this text is geórgos, meaning Farmer, Husbandman, Vinedresser.

Consider with me that God the Father, is indeed the vinedresser, or Farmer over the garden of our spiritual life, and as such it is God who prunes us so that we will become more fruitful in our union with Christ.

Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. ~ John 15:2

There are two types of branches in Christ (these represent the two types of Christians). There are those who produce fruit and glorify God, and there are those who do not produce fruit, and only glorify their flesh and ego.

On the surface, the latter may have the appearance of true Christianity, but bears no lasting fruit to the glory of God. It often brings shame and reproach on the gospel.

Throughout our journey in this life, we are all confronted with fruitless Christianity that comes to rob us of the joy of knowing Christ. It comes in many forms, often through false teachings and heresies, which lead believers to focus their attention elsewhere instead of Christ, the source of our life, in the presence of God.

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. ~ John 15:4-6

Take note of the language of Jesus. It is by abiding in Christ that we bear fruit, and it is in this abiding that we experience the Father’s pruning that we may produce more fruit. Now notice the similarities between John 15:6 and Hebrews 6:6-7

If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. ~ John 15:4-6

For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God: But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned. ~ Hebrews 6:7-8 

In John’s gospel, the branches that are removed and discarded are those who do not abide in Christ. In Hebrews, it is those who fall away (v.4).

The Hebrew believers had not yet become mature believers, and were still stuck in a baby state in their faith. Those who are babies are still under the rule of the power of their flesh when it comes to living out their faith. In his letter to the Corinthians, the apostle Paul writes:

And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? ~ 1 Corinthians 3:1-3

Notice the similarities of Paul’s words to the Corinthians and the words of the writer of Hebrews to his audience. In both cases, they could not hear the higher teaching (the spiritual meat), and they were babes still dependent on the milk of God’s Word.

We can conclude that the Hebrew believers were without question struggling with carnality, like the Corinthians were. Carnality is a gateway to spiritual error, which can lead a person away from Christ. However, they had not fallen away, nor were they altogether fruitless. The author of Hebrews has not given up on them because God had not given up on them. Thus he writes the following.

But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak. For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. ~ v. 9-10

There are many things which can contribute to stunted growth in Christ, and even though the Hebrew believers had not yet grown to a place of full maturity in Christ, God had not forgotten their service to him. Thus they were being invited into the higher life, a life of being settled once for all in the grace of God, and the writer of Hebrews is desiring to show them how to get there. And we can as well!

After telling them that God is not unrighteous to forget them, he turns their attention to God’s willingness to bring them into the fulness of the life in Christ that he has for them, and thus the writer seeks to draw their attention to Jesus who has entered beyond the veil into the presence of God. That is where their life is, that is where the source of their faith is to abide.

Andrew Murray, in his book, The Holiest of All, writes, “Many believers never in experience enter into this life of the inner sanctuary, the more complete and abiding nearness to God. They have, in the inner court, seen the altar, and received the pardon of sin; they have entered upon the service of God, they seek to do his will, but the joy of His presence as their abiding portion they know not. And very often they do not know that there is a better life, that there is an entering within the veil, a real dwelling in the secret of God’s presence…”

This is what the book of Hebrews is all about, Jesus in the presence of God, and our invitation to enter in, and abide.

We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek. ~ Hebrews 6:19-20 NIV 

Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.  ~ Hebrews 10:19-23

REFLECTIONS IN HEBREWS ~ THE HOUSE OF GOD

/ Michael Battle / Leave a comment

Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.~ Hebrews 8:1-2

All that has been said up until now about Jesus has to do with his Priesthood. From his introduction as the express image of the Father, to his being made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, and all in between, has one great aim in the book of Hebrews and that is to show us our Great High Priest: Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest.

The book of Hebrews is an inspired tapestry, consisting of many themes tightly woven together, each deserving its own consideration, while co-existing harmoniously with all the other themes, that when brought together, reveals Jesus, Our Great High Priest. 

One such theme which deserves our consideration is that of the House of God. Not the house of God in the sense of brick and mortar, but the household of God with regards to people.

We are told that Moses was faithful in all of his house, as God’s servant, but Jesus was faithful over God’s house, as the Son. The Son, not the servant, is the heir. As great as Moses was, he was not qualified to be over the household of God’s family (his sons and daughters). Only Jesus could qualify to serve over the household of God’s children.

Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; Who was faithful to him that appointed him, as also Moses was faithful in all his house. For this man was counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as he who hath builded the house hath more honour than the house. For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God. And Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after; But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end. ~ Hebrews 3:1-6

And having an high priest over the house of God; Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. ~ Hebrews 10:21-22

We may now come boldly into the Holiest, because “relationally” we are no longer servants, but sons and daughters of God. Yet it is our desire to follow in the footsteps of Jesus, to serve others that our Father might be glorified.

REFLECTIONS IN HEBREWS, AN EXHORTATION FOR PERSEVERANCE

/ Michael Battle / Leave a comment

Many view the book of Hebrews as a doctrinal book and it does contain many very helpful doctrinal truths but in the mind of its author, it was a letter of exhortation to believers. In 13:22 he says, “I beseech you, brethren, suffer the word of exhortation: for I have written a letter unto you in few words.”

When we consider the content of Hebrews we can conclude that it was written before the destruction of the temple in 70 A.D., because the writer of Hebrews makes reference to the temple service, the priests, and the sacrifices in the present tense. In the present tense, he makes a comparison between the superiority of Jesus’ ministry in the heavens (in the greater and more perfect tabernacle) to that which was on earth (which only served as a shadow and an example) to point men to Christ.

Many who continued in the old Jewish system rejected the Christian faith and persecuted the Jewish Christians. We see this play out in Paul’s ministry in the book of Acts. In Hebrews 10:32-34 the writer of Hebrews addresses it as well.

Think back on those early days when you first learned about Christ. Remember how you remained faithful even though it meant terrible suffering. Sometimes you were exposed to public ridicule and were beaten, and sometimes you helped others who were suffering the same things. You suffered along with those who were thrown into jail, and when all you owned was taken from you, you accepted it with joy. You knew there were better things waiting for you that will last forever. ~ Hebrews 10:32-34 TNLT

According to the author, his audience had suffered for their faith in Christ.

In chapter 2, he tells them that they are sanctified by Jesus as brethren to Christ and as the church. He goes on to say that Jesus is a faithful high priest for them: his brethren.

In 3:1, the author of Hebrews addresses his audience as holy brethren and partakers of the heavenly calling. He tells them that Jesus is the apostle and high priest of their profession of faith. This would no doubt be believers and not unbelievers.

Nowhere in the entire letter is he talking to unbelievers. He calls them brethren throughout the letter (2:11, 12, 17; 3:1, 12; 7:5; 10:19; 13:22). He also includes himself by using the pronouns we (51 times) us (31 times) and our (16 times). He also refers to his audience as “beloved” in 6:9.

The author of Hebrews tells them they are partakers of Christ’s house if they hold fast to the faith (3:6,14). In chapter 5 and 6 he admonishes them to move on from the elementary stages of the Christian faith to maturity.

For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. ~ Hebrews 5:12-14

According to the author of Hebrews his audience was still living as babes in Christ in their spiritual growth and unable to teach others because they were not yet skillful in the word of righteousness. In chapter 6, he urges them to move on to perfection (i.e., spiritual maturity).

He admonished them regarding those who turn back (6:4-5) and declares that he is persuaded differently about them.

For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God: But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned. But, beloved, we are persuaded of better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak. ~ Hebrews 6:7-9

Verse 9 (above) speaks volumes of the author’s view of those to whom he is writing. Though he gives them repeated warnings concerning the danger of apostasy, he constantly affirms them as believers and admonishes them to persevere in their faith. Notice verses 10-12 which follows the previous verses of Hebrews 6:7-9 above.

For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises. ~ Hebrews 6:10-12 

Again, notice how the author of Hebrews mixes admonition with encouragement. Encouragement that God has not forgotten, and admonishment not to give up but to persevere until the end.

Exhortation mixed with admonition is weaved all throughout the letter to the Hebrews as he repeatedly explains to them, and admonishes them concerning the importance of perseverance in the faith.

Later in his letter (chapter 11) he speaks of many of the Old Testament saints who persevered in faith, referring to them as “a great cloud of witnesses,” as he urges his audience to lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily besets them. He tells them to run with patience the (spiritual) race that is set before them as they look to Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.

He also admonishes them concerning the chastisement of the Lord which comes through in the stern warnings given in his letter as he reminds them to whom they belong.

For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest, And the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard intreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more: (For they could not endure that which was commanded, And if so much as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a dart: And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake:). Ye are come unto Mount Zion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel. ~ Hebrews 12:22-24

He exhorts them to not refuse him who speaks from heaven but rather to have grace so that they will serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: For our God is a consuming fire. ~ 12:25-29

As he begins to close his letter (chapter 13) he tells them to do the following:

  • continue in brotherly love
  • entertain strangers
  • remember those who are in prison
  • remember those who are being mistreated
  • be faithful in marriage
  • do not love money
  • remember God’s promise to never fail or leave them
  • remember those who have taught them the word of God and follow their faith
  • do not be carried away by various and strange doctrines
  • establish your hearts in grace
  • bear the Lord’s reproach (i.e., suffer for his name)
  • offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually in the name of Jesus
  • don’t neglect doing good to the needy
  • submit to those who are their leaders in the Lord
  • continue praying for him (the writer) and those with him.

Finally, he closes his letter with the following words:

Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. And I beseech you, brethren,suffer the word of exhortation: for I have written a letter unto you in few words. Know ye that our brother Timothyis set at liberty; with whom, if he comes shortly, I will see you. Salute all them that have the rule over you, and all the saints. They of Italy salute you.  Grace be with you all. Amen.

REFLECTIONS IN HEBREWS – THE TABERNACLE

/ Michael Battle / 6 Comments

Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God. But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people: The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernaclewas yet standing… ~Hebrews 9:6- 8

Impactful truths can be missed when reading the book of Hebrews if we are not following the flow of thought being expressed by the writer. This is especially true in the middle portion of the epistle, because he speaks of things which Bible students may feel they have a background knowledge in, and consequently the student may actually miss what is being said.

Take for instance, the tabernacle. I had always read the words, the first tabernacle, in verse 8 as a reference to the entire tabernacle of Moses (the outer court, the inner court, and the Holy of Holies). However, as I pondered the teaching in Hebrews regarding the Holy of Holies, my understanding was opened and I realized I had been reading this text wrong. 

It dawned on me that the writer of Hebrews refers to each tented compartment within the tabernacle of Moses, as a tabernacle. He uses the term tabernacle, to refer to the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place. He calls the Holy Place, the first tabernacle, and he calls the Holy of Holies the second tabernacle.

Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary. For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the shewbread; which is called the sanctuary. And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all… ~ Hebrews 9:1-3 

Now even the first covenant had regulations for divine worship and the earthly sanctuary. For a tabernacle was equipped, the outer sanctuary, in which were the lampstand, the table, and the sacred bread; this is called the Holy Place. Behind the second veil there was a tabernacle which is called the Most Holy Place… Hebrews 9:1-3 ~ NASB

The Amplified Bible says, Behind the second veil there was another tabernacle [the inner one or second section] known as the Holy of Holies…

The Berean Literal Bible says, Now behind the second veil was a tabernacle, being called the Holy of Holies.

The writer of Hebrews viewed each tented compartment of the tabernacle as a tabernacle. So when he mentions the first tabernacle in verse 6, we should follow his flow of thought and understand that he is referring to the inner court, and not the complete structure that we know as the tabernacle of Moses (the outer court, inner court, and Holy of Holies).

This clarification is a key component in understanding what the writer of Hebrews is teaching us regarding the High Priestly Ministry of Jesus and the new and living way that is opened to us through Jesus.

Under Moses, the High Priest entered alone, once a year. But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people… ~ v 7 

Under the law, the lone entrance by the High Priests into the Most Holy Place (the 2nd tabernacle) was the continual reminder that reconciliation had not yet come. This correlates with what the writer of Hebrews will tell us in chapter 10 regarding the sacrifices offered by the High Priests.

But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year. ~ Hebrews 10:3

In contrast, Jesus entered the Most Holy Place in Heaven with no intention of staying there alone, because he put away sin by the sacrifice of himself (9:26). The separating veil has been removed through Jesus who came in the flesh and dwelt, (“tabernacled”) among us. Through Jesus, the holy place (the believer’s walk of faith), and the Most Holy Place (Christ in the presence of God), have become one with no separating veil.

Through the Holy Spirit the two compartments have become one, and we can dwell daily in the presence of God through the Spirit that our Heavenly Father has bestowed on us through the Son who is the radiance of his glory.  

REFLECTIONS ON HEBREWS ~ CLEANSED FROM DEAD WORKS

/ Michael Battle / Leave a comment

Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? ~ Hebrews 9:12-14

The audience to which the writer of Hebrews is making his appeal were his fellow Hebrew believers who had come out of the old temple worship according to the law.

These Hebraic believers were being tested in their faith and the temptation to abandon Christ for the old worship was a real thing. This is one of the reasons there is such an emphasis on the superiority of the sacrifice of Jesus in contrast to the animal sacrifices under the law. A return to animal sacrifices after coming to the knowledge of Christ would be considered apostate.

The temple worship with its carnal ordinances, which included the animal sacrifices, is specifically what the writer of Hebrews is referring to when he speaks of the dead works, from which they had been cleansed by the blood of Christ. ~ Hebrews 9:1-14

Of course, for us today, dead works could refer to other things such as religious duties, but for the audience at the time of the writing of Hebrews, the dead works was the old worship (the carnal ordinances) which had been prescribed under the law with its priesthood and sacrifices. 

APOSTLE AND HIGH PRIEST

/ Michael Battle / Leave a comment

Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus… ~ Hebrews 3:1

The word apostle means sent one, and as the apostle of our faith, Jesus is the sent one from God. He is the very face of God to us. In Jesus we have all that our faith needs to comprehend the character and nature of God. When we consider the actual ministry of the apostles whom Jesus discipled and ordained, along with the ministry of Paul, we find that the apostles were entrusted with laying the foundation for New Testament doctrine, worship, and practice.

Thus the apostleship of Jesus speaks to the truth that Christ is the founder of the faith, the One who laid the very foundation of our faith. This is echoed in Hebrews 12:2, where the writer of Hebrews encourages us to run our spiritual race with patience, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.

In the following verse (12:3), the writer says, For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. This is the same language he uses when speaking of Jesus as the apostle and High Priest: consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus.

As apostle, Jesus is the author of our faith. As High Priest he is the finisher. As our Great High Priest Jesus abides in the presence of God to aid us, keep us, and daily cleanse us by his blood. He is our intercessor and representative, who lives forever to make intercession for us (7:25). Jesus’s is God’s guarantee to us that what he has began in us, he will bring to its completion.

Because of Jesus abiding in the presence of God as our representative, we have unrestricted access to the grace and mercy we need as we journey through life in the walk of faith. Jesus is the apostle (the founder), and High Priest (the finisher) of our faith!

May God grant us all a deeper understanding of what it means that Christ is indeed our Apostle and High Priest.

AMERICAN CHRISTIANITY GONE WRONG

/ Michael Battle / 2 Comments

You have attracted people who are determined that ideology is more important than facts. ~ Ted Koppel to Sean Hannity. 

In the United States, there is a clash between the facts that non Christian people see and experience and the ideology of many Christians, especially  white Christians.

Rather than being the light of the world (John 5:14) that Jesus called us to be, the ideology of many Christians has intensified the rejection of Christianity among our fellow citizens. Rather than being light to their fellow Americans, many American Christians are at war with them.

The light we are called to be as Christians is expressed in the traits that Jesus reveals in the sermon on the mount, which we often refer to as the Beattitudes. Being meek, poor in spirit, merciful, pure in heart, and peacemakers never once caused anyone outside the faith to blaspheme.

The culture wars that many American Christians have engaged in against their fellow citizens is steeped in right winged politics rather than the truth that is in Christ.

Consider the title of a podcast I recently came across as two Christian rightwingers engaged in political conversation about “Christian warfare” against the left. I have changed the name of the person to American Christian Activist, because my point is not to bring attention to any one particular person, but the mindset behind American Christian ideology. The title said:

American Christian Activist EXPOSES the “Love your neighbor” Fake Christianity.

When loving your neighbor is met with contempt, true motives are revealed. Ironically, Jesus employed the truth of loving your neighbor many times, and he did so to expose the hypocrisy of those who presented themselves as spiritual people. The story of the Good Samaritan is a visual illustration given by the Lord of glory regarding what loving your neighbor actually looks like.

Unfortunately, the ideology of many American Christians who like to use terms such as “biblical” to defend their culture war positions, looks nothing like the model Jesus gave us in the Good Samaritan.

Rather than being a light to the world around us in true holiness and the fear of the Lord, many American Christians have embraced a persecution mentality and feel threatened by the lifestyles of their fellow American citizens, and rather than showing kindness and mercy, they have chosen to engage in culture wars against their neighbor. 

In this ideology the Bible no longer points them to fear of a Holy God in true humility, but the sacred scriptures now serve as their political guide book for justifying the hatred they have for their neighbor. 

BETWEEN THE CHERUBIMS

/ Michael Battle / 1 Comment

Under the Old Testament, the Ark of the Covenant was made of acacia wood (a very durable wood) and overlaid with gold. The combination of these two materials (wood and gold) points us to Jesus who was both human and divine. The word was made flesh, and we beheld his glory. Wood and gold express the divine and human nature of Christ in one.

Within the Ark, Moses placed the Ten Commandments, a pot with some of the manner which came down from Heaven, and Aarons rod, or staff which blossomed as a sign to the people of Aarons’s authority as the one God had chosen as Priest. Jesus is the Ark of God, for in him the law is fulfilled, he is the true bread from Heaven, and he is the chosen one with all authority and power as our Great High Priest.

The Ark also had the crown of pure gold and no wood, because the Kingship of Jesus is based on his divinity. He is the King from above. Seated inside of the crown was the covering of the Ark which was called the Mercy Seat. The Mercy Seat was made of pure gold and had two cherubims (angels) made of beaten work on its two ends.

18 And thou shalt make two cherubims of gold, of beaten workshalt thou make them,in the two ends of the mercy seat. 19 And make one cherub on the one end, and the other cherub on the other end:even of the mercy seat shall ye make the cherubims on the two ends thereof. ~ Exodus 25:18-19

Beaten work is actually hammered work in the Hebrew. As Jesus was making his way to the cross he could have asked the Father for more than twelve legions of angels to deliver him, but such a request would not have fulfilled the scriptures.

52 Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword. 53 Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels? 54 But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be? ~ Matthew 26:52-54

The scriptures would not have been fulfilled if the angels had delivered Jesus from the cross. Jesus had to die on the cross by nails being hammered through his hands and feet, and on the morning that he was raised from the dead, Mary weeping, looked into the tomb where the body of Jesus had been laid. To her astonishment she did not see the Lord’s body, but she did see two angels – one at the head, and one at the feet where the body of Jesus had been laid. She saw the fulfilment of the mercy seat.

11 But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre, 12 And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. ~ John 20:11-12 

God’s words to Moses regarding the cherubims were, “thou shalt make two cherubims of gold, of beaten workshalt thou make them, in the two ends of the mercy seat. And make one cherub on the one end, and the other cherub on the other end:even of the mercy seat shall ye make the cherubims on the two ends thereof.” ~ Exodus 25:18-19 

What God gave to Moses as the pattern of Heavenly things, Mary saw in its fulfillment.

The Psalmist tells us that God dwells between the Cherubims.

Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, thou that leadest Joseph like a flock; thou that dwellest between the cherubims, shine forth. ~ Psalm 80:1

The resurrection of the crucified, bloodied body of Jesus, is the shinning forth of God’s mercy, bringing hope and salvation through the risen Christ!

THE BURNT OFFERING ~ Part One

/ Michael Battle / Leave a comment

In this study we will primarily examine the burnt offerings which were offered by individual worshippers. In Part Two we will examine the Continual burnt offerings which were offered for the nation. The first chapter of the book of Leviticus will serve as our foundation for this study.

And the Lord called unto Moses, and spake unto him out of the tabernacle of the congregation,saying… ~ Leviticus 1:1

Leviticus begins with God speaking directly to Moses from within the tabernacle. Thus Leviticus begins after the completion of the building of the tabernacle. Moses held a unique position as a mediator between God and the people and in this manner Moses was a type of Christ, who is the only mediator between God and man. According to the prophecies given about the Messiah, one of the most pronounced is that the Messiah would be a prophet to Israel like Moses.

The Lord thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken; According to all that thou desiredst of the Lord thy God in Horeb in the day of the assembly, saying, Let me not hear again the voice of the Lord my God, neither let me see this great fire any more, that I die not. And the Lord said unto me, They have well spoken that which they have spoken. I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him. And it shall come to pass, that whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him. ~ Deuteronomy 18:15-19 

Moses was a type of Christ as the one through whom God speaks to us. Moses is a type because Christ is greater and is God’s Word in human flesh.

Leviticus 1:2 begins by saying, “Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them…”

These are the words of God to Moses for the children of Israel, and what follows is God’s own instructions for their approach to God via the service of the tabernacle that had been constructed. The service of the tabernacle would include the ministry of the Priesthood after their consecration for service, and the sacrifices that would be ongoing at the tabernacle. Thus the book of Leviticus is invaluable to us today as it lays out the pattern that has now been fulfilled in the person and work of Jesus Christ.

It is important for us to think of the tabernacle and the service therein as a pattern for the things which were to come and have now come in the person of Jesus Christ.

Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, If any man of you bring an offering unto the Lord, ye shall bring your offering of the cattle, even of the herd, and of the flock. ~ v. 2

The Berean Study Bible makes the following observation:

The specification of animals from the herd or flock highlights the agrarian context of the Israelites, where livestock was a primary source of wealth and sustenance. This requirement also points to the sacrificial system’s role in teaching the value of giving something of personal significance to God. The use of animals in sacrifice foreshadows the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. The herd typically refers to cattle, while the flock includes sheep and goats, each having specific symbolic meanings and uses in various offerings throughout Leviticus. ~ Berean Study Bible

If his offering be a burnt sacrifice of the herd, let him offer a male without blemish: he shall offer it of his own voluntary will at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation before the Lord. ~ Leviticus 1:3

In the instructions regarding the sacrifices in service of the tabernacle, God begins with the burnt offering, “If his offering be a burnt sacrifice…”

  • Unblemished
    • Every sacrifice and offering that foreshadowed Christ had to meet this requirement.
  • Offered voluntarily. 
    • This speaks to the nature of true worship.
  • At the door of the tabernacle. 
    • This is a reference to the place where the brazen altar (the altar of sacrifice) was positioned in the tabernacle. All worship in the holy place and in the most holy began at the altar of sacrifice. It served as a type and a foreshadowing of the cross of Christ. Our approach to God must be done voluntarily, for God drags no one to himself against their will. And it is only as we choose to approach God through the cross that we can enter into his holy presence and experience the fellowship that he provides for us there. 

And he shall put his hand upon the head of the burnt offering; and it shall be accepted for him to make atonement for him. ~ Leviticus 1: 4

The placing of the hand upon the head of the burnt offering has deep spiritual significance. Consider what this could mean:

  • Identification? 
  • Substitution?
  • Representation? 

It is also said that “it shall be accepted for him to make atonement for him.” We often use the word atonement in relation to sin, because atonement means to cover, and to make reconciliation. However,  the burnt offering was not the sin or trespass offerings which were given specifically to atone for sins.

Remember, this mention of atonement is in view of the voluntary approach to God with a burnt offering. The burnt offering was one of the three voluntary offerings. The burnt, grain, and peace offerings were voluntary, while the sin and trespass offerings were compulsory. If sin needed to be dealt with, none of the voluntary offerings would be accepted until the sin or trespass offering was sacrificed.

Even when we are not actively, consciously sinning, we need cleaning by the blood of Jesus in our day to day walk. In the New Testament, the apostle John tells us, if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. ~ 1 John 1:5 NIV

As we walk in the light, there is a continuous cleansing in our lives by the precious blood of Christ. God has not called us to walk on eggshells in our fellowship with him, living in fear as to whether or not we have sin in our lives. We have been set free to walk in fellowship with the Lord and as long as our conscience is clear that fellowship will continue unhindered, but when our conscience is convicted we need to make things right with God through repentance.

This is how we know that we belong to the truth and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence: If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God and receive from him anything we ask, because we keep his commands and do what pleases him. ~ 1 John 3:19-22 NIV

The one who brought the burnt sacrifice to the tabernacle was being taught that the life of the animal was dying in their stead. This theme runs throughout the pages of the Old Testament and finds its culmination in the death of Christ who would die for us on the cross. Thus it behooves us to take Christ voluntarily as our representative and substitute and identify with him as our sacrifice and our Savior. 

And he shall kill the bullock before the Lord: and the priests, Aaron’s sons, shall bring the blood, and sprinkle the blood round about upon the altar that is by the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. ~ Leviticus 1:5

First, notice that the one bringing the bullock (a young bull) was responsible for slaughtering the sacrifice, and they were to do so “before the Lord, “ i.e., in the presence of the Lord. In this we can see that God was teaching his people that they (individually and on a personal level) were the ones who were responsible for the death of the sacrifice. When we consider how this relates to us now that Christ has died and risen again, it has deep personal significance. It is a sobering reality when we understand that Christ gave himself voluntarily and completely, even though it is we who were responsible for his death. My sins and imperfections in the sight of God slaughtered Christ and so did yours. We are imperfect because we are subject to sin and death, and it is the unblemished Christ who gave himself for us in whom we boast in the presence of God. 

To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. ~ Ephesians 1:6

But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. ~ 1 Corinthians 1:30-31

Secondly, notice that it was the responsibility of the priests to take the blood of the slaughtered bullock and sprinkle it upon the altar. The blood was then taken and sprinkled or splattered on the altar by the priest. In this way the altar served as a type of the cross of Christ which was sanctified by the blood of Jesus. Make no mistake about it, the cross did not sanctify the blood of Christ, rather, the blood of Christ sanctified the cross as the altar whereby all who will, may come and find forgiveness and redemption.

And he shall flay the burnt offering, and cut it into his pieces. And the sons of Aaron the priest shall put fire upon the altar, and lay the wood in order upon the fire… ~ v. 6-7

As we saw above, the one who brought the bullock to offer as a burnt offering was the one who slayed the animal, and we now see that they were to also cut the animal into the proper pieces. This obviously would require a considerable investment of one’s time and energy, but it was the priests who applied the blood to the brazen altar and placed the different parts of the animal onto the altar.

Consider the following commentary from The Berean Study Bible:

The cutting of the offering into pieces was a detailed and deliberate act, ensuring that the sacrifice was prepared according to God’s instructions. This process allowed for the entire animal to be consumed by fire, symbolizing total dedication and surrender to God. The division into parts can also be seen as a type of Christ, whose body was broken for humanity (1 Corinthians 11:24). Each piece of the offering was arranged on the altar, signifying order and completeness in worship. This act of cutting and arranging parallels the New Testament teaching of presenting our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God (Romans 12:1).

Leviticus 1:6 teaches that worship progresses step-by-step, exposes and yields everything, and offers the whole self to God’s purifying fire. The priest’s careful skinning and dividing foreshadow Christ’s complete surrender and invites believers to present every hidden and visible part of life to the Lord, confidently trusting His provision and cleansing power. ~The Berean Study Bible

And the priests, Aaron’s sons, shall lay the parts, the head, and the fat, in order upon the wood that is on the fire which is upon the altar: But his inwards and his legs shall he wash in water: and the priest shall burn all on the altar, to be a burnt sacrifice, an offering made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the Lord. ~ v. 8-9

Notice all that was involved:

  • The blood sprinkled on the altar.
  • The wood.
  • The parts of the animal.
  • The fire that consumed it to ashes. 

Imagine the smell of the blood, the burning wood, and the whole animal being cooked in the fire. This was the life and ministry of the priest under the law. It was messy because mercy is messy, and it was God’s mercy on full display in types and shadows. Once the worshipper had brought the offering and slain it in the presence of the Lord, his task was over, but the priest had to carefully offer it according to the instructions of the Lord upon the altar and had the duty of making sure all of the sacrifice was consumed by the fire.

And if his offering be of the flocks, namely, of the sheep, or of the goats, for a burnt sacrifice; he shall bring it a male without blemish. And he shall kill it on the side of the altar northward before the Lord: and the priests, Aaron’s sons, shall sprinkle his blood round about upon the altar. And he shall cut it into his pieces, with his head and his fat: and the priest shall lay them in order on the wood that is on the fire which is upon the altar: But he shall wash the inwards and the legs with water: and the priest shall bring it all, and burn it upon the altar: it is a burnt sacrifice, an offering made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the Lord. ~ v.10-13

The rules were the same for burnt offerings which were taken from the flocks as they were from the herds. In both instances, it is said that it is a burnt sacrifice, an offering made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the Lord.

The language of scripture regarding the offerings as a sweet savor to the Lord is greatly under valued in Western Christianity. I think the main reason for this is because we often view the cross of Christ more through the lens of God’s need to punish an innocent victim rather than God’s desire for a surrendered life. The sacrifices were a portrait of Jesus and when Jesus’s humanity was crushed by the wickedness of sinful men and the powers of darkness, he fully trusted the Father and surrendered his life to save us. According to Ephesians 5:2, Jesus loved us and gave himself for us as an offering and a sacrifice and this was a sweet aroma to God. God loves unselfish sacrificial love, and that is exactly what Jesus demonstrated when he gave  himself as a ransom for our sins.

We know from other places in scripture that God never took any pleasure in the offering of animal sacrifices (1 Samuel 15:22; Psalm 51:16-17; Isaiah 1:11; Hosea 6:6; Micah 6:6-8; Proverbs 21:3; Matthew 9:13; Mark 12:33 & Hebrews 10:4-10). Therefore we must conclude that it was the One that these sacrifices foreshadowed, that truly was a sweet fragrance to God in advance.

Now, the burnt offering is the most prominent offering that we will find in the Old Testament. For this reason, I like to refer to it as the offering that reveals the first principle of sacrifice. In other words, if we want to understand all the other offerings, it’s important to understand the burnt offering because all the truths we can learn from the other offerings have their foundation in the burnt offering.

The burnt offering is the oldest of all the offerings and predates the giving of the Law through Moses. The first burnt offerings spoken of in scripture were offered by Noah after he and his family exited the Ark after the flood.

And Noah went forth, and his sons, and his wife, and his sons’ wives with him: Every beast, every creeping thing, and every fowl, and whatsoever creepeth upon the earth, after their kinds, went forth out of the ark. And Noah builded an altar unto the Lord; and took of every clean beast, and of every clean fowl, and offered burnt offerings on the altar. And the Lord smelled a sweet savour; and the Lord said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man’s sake; for the imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done. While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease. ~ Genesis 8:18-22

Take note that Noah’s burnt offerings were not offered to atone for any sins committed by Noah or his family. This was simply an offering as worship to the Lord. Noah’s offering was so pleasing to God that God said in his heart, “I will not again curse the ground any more for man’s sake…”

Consider why this offering may have been so powerful, so much so, that it moved God to make a vow from his heart? As we dig into the truths contained in the Old Testament regarding the sacrifices, the answer becomes clear that Noah’s burnt offerings foreshadowed Jesus, and Jesus moves the heart of God on our behalf.

In response to Noah’s burnt offering God was moved to mercy, stating that he would never again curse the ground for man’s sake. Not only was God moved to mercy, he blessed Noah and his sons (Genesis 9:1), and gave a covenant promise to all humanity. 

And God spake unto Noah, and to his sons with him, saying, And I, behold, I establish my covenant with you, and with your seed after you; And with every living creature that is with you, of the fowl, of the cattle, and of every beast of the earth with you; from all that go out of the ark, to every beast of the earth. And I will establish my covenant with you, neither shall all flesh be cut off any more by the waters of a flood; neither shall there any more be a flood to destroy the earth. And God said, This is the token of the covenant which I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations: I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth. And it shall come to pass, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the bow shall be seen in the cloud: And I will remember my covenant, which is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall no more become a flood to destroy all flesh. And the bow shall be in the cloud; and I will look upon it, that I may remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is upon the earth. And God said unto Noah, This is the token of the covenant, which I have established between me and all flesh that is upon the earth. ~ Genesis 9:8-17

God’s promise and covenant wasn’t just a random change of heart. It was a direct response to Noah’s worship that was offered through the offering of the burnt offerings. Noah and his family had just exited the Ark after the flood waters had receded, which is a type of the salvation we have in Christ from judgment.

This portrait of Jesus Christ in the Old Testament is onewe do not need to miss. Noah’s burnt offering was a foreshadowing of Jesus, in whom God’s heart is moved with mercy towards us, and in whom we are blessed, and in whom God gives us promises and covenant! We truly are accepted in the beloved ~ Ephesians 1:6 

I hope you can see the power in this, because the burnt offering was about foreshadowing truths regarding Jesus. The burnt offerings were consecration offerings, which speak of dedication, surrender, and complete devotion to God.

Not only did Noah offer burnt offerings before the law and the tabernacle, but Abraham did as well. 

And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am. And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of. ~ Genesis 22:1-2

The offering of Isaac was the ultimate test of Abraham’s faith and loyalty to God. No where do we ever read that Abraham was to offer Isaac in connection to atonement for sin. Instead, God instructed Abraham to offer up Isaac as a burnt offering as a test of his love and devotion to him.

And they came to the place which God had told him of; and Abraham built an altar there, and laid the wood in order, and bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar upon the wood. And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son. And the angel of the Lord called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I. And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me. And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son. And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovahjireh: as it is said to this day, In the mount of the Lord it shall be seen. ~ Genesis 22:9-14

If you have been a Christian for any considerable length of time, surely you have heard the song, “Jehovah Jireh” with the words of the song which says, “my provider, his grace is sufficient for me.”

Did you know the name Jehovah Jireh was inspired by the ram which God provided for the burnt offering that Abraham offered?  As with Noah’s offering, Abraham’s burnt offering was an act of worship, dedication, and love for God. It wasn’t offered for sin. It was an offering which was a portrait of the love and consecration to God that was in Christ. Only one who was fully surrendered to God, and without sin could give their life as a sin offering. In the sin and trespass offering we see the atonement for sin specifically, but in the burnt offering we learn of the consecrated nature of the one who would become our sin offering. 

When Jesus laid down his life, he did so out of love, loyalty, and dedication to his Father God. And because Jesus was so wholly given to God in all purity, he then could bear the sin of the world. Remember, all the other sacrifices are more accurately understood when we get the burnt offering right.

With that said, the people of God in the Old Testament did not always get it right as Noah and Abraham did. Abraham got it right, so much so, that Jesus even said, Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad. ~ John 8: 56

Unlike Noah and Abraham there were others who brought a reproach against the Lord in how they handled the burnt offerings, and consequently, they encountered God’s judgment. For instance, when Aaron led the Israelites in the rebellion against God by making a golden calf to worship, they took their idolatry to the next level when they offered burnt offerings, and peace offerings in worship to the golden calf (Exodus 32).

They took that which was reserved for foreshadowing Christ and applied it to their idol. Consider the depth of wickedness that was on display in such an act.

In Leviticus 10, two of Aaron’s sons who were priests (Nadab and Abihu) offered strange fire for burning incense before the Lord (Leviticus 10). This resulted in God’s judgment devouring them and they died. In the tabernacle service the fire for burning incense at the golden altar was to be taken from the fire which burned the sacrifices at the brazen altar. Any other fire was considered a strange fire. Our prayers are like sweet incense to the Lord when we pray as Christ our mediator, for no man comes to the Father except through him. We are to come to God only through the One who died and rose again for us, it is in His Name only that we pray and worship God.

During the time of Eli’s Priesthood, Eli’s two sons (Hophni and Phinehas) were evil in the sight of the Lord. 1 Samuel 2:12 calls them sons of Belial (meaning, sons of the devil). They dishonored God in many ways, and caused the people to abhor the offering of the Lord.

Eli’s sons were scoundrels; they had no regard for the Lord. Now it was the practice of the priests that, whenever any of the people offered a sacrifice, the priest’s servant would come with a three-pronged fork in his hand while the meat was being boiled and would plunge the fork into the pan or kettle or caldron or pot. Whatever the fork brought up the priest would take for himself. This is how they treated all the Israelites who came to Shiloh. But even before the fat was burned, the priest’s servant would come and say to the person who was sacrificing, “Give the priest some meat to roast; he won’t accept boiled meat from you, but only raw.”  If the person said to him, “Let the fat be burned first, and then take whatever you want,” the servant would answer, “No, hand it over now; if you don’t, I’ll take it by force.” This sin of the young men was very great in the Lord’s sight, for they were treating the Lord’s offering with contempt. ~ 1 Samuel 2:12-17 NIV

Verse 17 in the KJV says, Wherefore the sin of the young men was very great before the Lord: for men abhorred the offering of the Lord.

Judgment begins in the House of the Lord because our representation of God and Christ matter. If we do not serve God in a manner that glorifies Christ, we will become the cause of dishonor to the Lord.

Now, let’s continue with the burnt offering in Leviticus 1.

And if the burnt sacrifice for his offering to the Lord be of fowls, then he shall bring his offering of turtledoves, or of young pigeons. And the priest shall bring it unto the altar, and wring off his head, and burn it on the altar; and the blood thereof shall be wrung out at the side of the altar: And he shall pluck away his crop with his feathers, and cast it beside the altar on the east part, by the place of the ashes: And he shall cleave it with the wings thereof, but shall not divide it asunder: and the priest shall burn it upon the altar, upon the wood that is upon the fire: it is a burnt sacrifice, an offering made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the Lord. ~ v. 14- 17

Offerings which were taken from the flocks (turtledoves and pigeons) were offerings that the poor were allowed to bring. We learn that later in the book of Leviticus (chapter 12). A poor person could not afford to bring a young bull. In this we see that God’s provisions know no limits, he made provision for offerings that foreshadowed Christ for both the poor and those who were not poor.

We read in the New Testament that after Mary’s time of purification after the birth of Jesus, that Joseph and Mary brought an offering from the flock which is a clear indication that they were not rich, but rather poor.

And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord; (As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;) And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons. ~ Luke 2:22-24

Notice that Luke says, a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons. Under the Law according to Leviticus 12, the offering after the time of purification after childbirth was a lamb of the first year for a burnt offering, and a young pigeon, or a turtledove, for a sin offering (Lev 12:6). However, if the person bringing the offering of purification was not able to offer a lamb (meaning not able to afford a lamb) they could bring two turtles, or two young pigeons.And if she be not able to bring a lamb, then she shall bring two turtles, or two young pigeons; the one for the burnt offering, and the other for a sin offering: and the priest shall make an atonement for her, and she shall be clean. ~ Leviticus 12:8

Notice that one was a burnt offering and the other a sin offering. Burnt offerings were offered at various times without sin offerings but sin offerings were not typically offered with burnt offerings. This is a beautiful portrait of our Savior. Jesus wasn’t simply a replacement for God’s judgment so that we could get a free pass. Jesus is the standard of righteousness that God has set before us, and we are to follow in his steps growing in our commitment and loyalty to God, while being the beneficiaries of the forgiveness and cleaning of sin that can only be provided through him! We’ll study this more under the topic of the sin offering.

Burnt offerings were the only sacrifices in which the entire animal was sacrificed on the altar, and they were only to be offered where God recorded his name. (Ex 20:23-24; Deu 12:5-6, 11, 13, 14, 27).

Every offering that was offered on the altar of sacrifice was offered with along with the continual burnt offering which we will cover in the next section. These burnt offerings (the continual burnt offerings) were offered twice daily, in the morning and in the evening, and the fire was to continue all through the night.

This concludes this section of our study of the burnt offerings which were offered by individual worshippers. In our next study we will turn our attention to the continual burnt offerings which were offered for the nation by the priests.

CHRIST IN THE OLD TESTAMENT ~ BEAUTY FOR ASHES

/ Michael Battle / 7 Comments

The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified. ~ Isaiah 61:1-3

WOW! There is a lot in this set of scriptures. Just reading it is inspiring. If you are in a place where you feel somewhat cold in your relationship with the Lord, these verses can help stir your heart once again.

With that said, I want to draw your attention to the phrase,“beauty for ashes.”

Nearly 25 years ago, I returned to the Bible College that I had graduated from close to a decade earlier, and I had the privilege of teaching the students on the topic of Christ in the Old Testament. The things I am about to share with you are taken from my notes which I used to teach on this important topic. I hope to share more from my notes at a later time.

When God instructed Moses to construct the tabernacle, he said to him: See to it that you make everything according to the pattern shown to you on the mountain. ~ Exodus 25:40

The tabernacle was the dwelling place of God in the midst of his people Israel, and later in Israel’s history the temple built by Solomon would become the central focus.

Everything in the tabernacle and later in the temple were divinely orchestrated. The decor, the furnishings, the ministry of the priests, and the sacrifices was so divinely inspired that in the tabernacle the gospel of Christ was hidden in the midst of the Israelites as they journeyed in the wilderness and eventually entered into the promised land.

The writer of Hebrews tells us For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them:but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. ~ Hebrews 4:2

The gospel was preached to the Israelites, and the tabernacle was filled with revelation of the coming Messiah. For example, the sacrifices which were offered on the altar of sacrifice in the tabernacle all point to Christ in various ways. The offerings consisted of the burnt offering, the grain offering, the peace offering, the sin offering, and the trespass offering.

The burnt offering, unlike the other offerings, was wholly consumed. This represented Christ who was completely given to the will of God, and was wholly committed to laying down his life for us when he died on the cross. Jesus held nothing back, he gave himself entirely! That was foreshadowed in the burnt offering which was also called “the whole burnt offering.”

The burnt offering is the most prominent of all the offerings and the more we learn about this offering the more we will understand the power in the others and how they foreshadowed Christ. In like manner, the more we know of the person of Christ, the more we will grasp the greatness of his work in laying down his life for us. 

When we consider the ashes that accumulated from the burnt offerings, as well as all the other offerings which give us a portrait of Christ, we quickly learn that the ashes carry a divine message of “it is finished.”  

Christ allowed himself to be reduced to ashes on our behalf, holding nothing back and giving himself wholly. He is now crowned with honor and glory and sits at the right hand of God. The same God that accomplished his purpose in and through Christ giving him beauty for ashes (a throne for a cross) will also exalt us in Christ and with Christ, as we die to our old selves and surrender to him. This is the work of His Holy Spirit in our lives.

Our God, the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, truly gives beauty for ashes, and Christ is the living, breathing representation of that reality.

Under the Old Testament, the burnt offerings, the grain offerings, and the peace offerings were considered voluntary offerings. Conversely, the sin and trespass offerings were compulsory offerings. The first three were freely given by the worshipper, testifying to us that Jesus voluntarily gave himself for us, and freely served the Father to do his will.

On the other hand, the sin and trespass offering were required offerings because they involved the atonement for sins. Though Christ willingly gave himself to die for our sins, the compulsory nature of the sin and trespass offering teaches us that there was no other way for our sins to be cleansed. Christ had to die!

Now before we take a deep dive into the burnt offering, let’s look a little further into the other two voluntary offerings. First, let’s consider the grain offering (aka, the meat offering in the KJV).

This offering (as unleavened bread) foreshadowed the sinless humanity of Jesus Christ. Jesus is the unleavened bread who gave his flesh for our sins. Below is a list of facts that you will find in the Old Testament, particularly the book of Leviticus, regarding this grain offering.

  • It was unleavened. 
  • It was offered with flour and frankincense.
  • It was voluntarily offered.
  • It was most holy (Christ was without sin though tempted at all points in the flesh). 
  • Oil was poured on it, (a type of the anointing of Spirit in Christ’s humanity).
  • It was an offering made by fire. (Christ endured the fiery crucible of the crucifixion in his flesh). 
  • It was seasoned with salt. (Salt is a preservative, and though Christ suffered severely in the flesh he was preserved by God’s righteousness).
  • It was sweet fragrance. Christ’s humanity was pleasing to God.
  • It made provision for both the poor and the rich. (No one is outside of the scope of the saving power of the man, Jesus Christ, He died for all).
  • It was offered with the daily sacrifices. (The daily sacrifices were burnt offerings and we will cover this when we circle back to the burnt offerings). 
  • It was an offering of consecration, preservation, and purity. Consider 2 Kings 3:20; Joel 1:8-9,13; 2:12-14
  • It foreshadowed Christ’s sinless humanity(2 Co 5:21; Heb 4:15), and that Christ’s body did not decay in the tomb (Acts 2:30-31; 13:33-34). 

One of the beautiful truths about the grain (meat) offering is that it sanctifies. In Leviticus 2 which covers the law of the grain offering, we also read about a new grain offering.

No meat offering, which ye shall bring unto the Lord, shall be made with leaven: for ye shall burn no leaven, nor any honey, in any offering of the Lordmade by fire. As for the oblation (offering) of the firstfruits, ye shall offer them unto the Lord: but they shall not be burnt on the altar for a sweet savour. ~ Leviticus 2:11-12

Notice that these verses above speak of two separate offerings. One is to be offered without leaven on the altar, the other is to be offered to the Lord, but not on the altar, and it is called the offering of the first fruits which was one of the feasts of the Lord that Israel was to celebrate.

Consider the following from Leviticus 23.

Even unto the morrow after the seventh sabbath shall ye number fifty days;
and ye shall offer a new meat offeringunto the Lord. Ye shall bring out of your habitations two wave loavesof two tenth deals; they shall be of fine flour; they shall be baken with leaven;they arethe firstfruits unto the Lord. And ye shall offer with the bread seven lambs without blemish of the first year, and one young bullock, and two rams: they shall be for a burnt offering unto the Lord, with their meat offering, and their drink offerings, even an offering made by fire, of sweet savour unto the Lord. Then ye shall sacrifice one kid of the goats for a sin offering, and two lambs of the first year for a sacrifice of peace offerings. And the priest shall wave them with the bread of the firstfruits for a wave offering before the Lord,with the two lambs: they shall be holy to the Lordfor the priest. ~ Leviticus 23:16-20

The new meat (i.e., grain) offering was offered fifty days after the feast of first fruits, which followed the feast of unleavened bread, which followed Passover. Christ was crucified on the 14th day of the month of Nisan which was the first month on the Jewish calendar, (see Ex 12:6,14,18,19; Numbers 9:2; 28:16; Deuteronomy 16:1; Joshua 5:10; Ezekiel 45:21). He was then buried and his body rested in the tomb as the unleavened bread on the 15th which was the first day of the seven day feast of unleavened bread. Then on the next day (the 16th) was the feast of first fruits which signified the resurrection of Jesus. Then 50 days later there was Pentecost. It was during the time of Pentecost that the new meat (grain) offering was to be offered to the Lord. This would be an offering that had not been offered on the altar of sacrifice, and would consist of two loaves made with leaven.

In the New Testament, Peter on the Day of Pentecost stood up and preached the gospel of the Messiah to his kinsmen in the flesh, and those who believed from the two houses (Judah and Israel) became one as they were sanctified in the Messiah. The two loaves with leaven became the firstfruits of the salvation that would later spread to the entire world.

The foreshadowing of the two leavened loaves would have an even wider application as the believing Jews would soon understand that Jesus did not die only for the people of Israel. He died for the whole world, and there is no doubt that the two loaves (the new grain offering) made with leaven, represent the union of the Jews and Gentiles who are presented as an offering to God through Jesus Christ. Because of Christ, we who are sinners (the leavened loaves) are made holy being sanctified by the blood and Spirit of Jesus Christ.

In his letter to the Romans, the apostle Paul seems to draw on this marvelous truth when he writes the following:

Nevertheless, brethren, I have written the more boldly unto you in some sort, as putting you in mind, because of the grace that is given to me of God, That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost. ~ Romans 15:15-16 

Notice the language of the offering up of the Gentiles. In Christ Jesus, we are made an offering to God for his glory and honor. We who have believed from among the Jews and Gentile are the leavened loaves that have been sanctified by the perfect lamb of God and are now seated with Christ in Heavenly places. And this was foreshadowed in the tabernacle in Old Testament where the revelation of Christ was divinely hidden in a mystery.

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