Old Covenant Sacrificial System
• Series: Atonement
Old Covenant Sacrificial System Big Ideas: · 6 Dispensations in the Bible · The wrath of God and condemnation of humanity · The Law given with a purpose 6 Dispensations in the Bible 1. God Creates and Dwells with People Genesis 1-2 2. Humans Rebel and Fallout Happens Genesis 3-11 3. Redemption Promised and Foreshadowed Genesis 3-Malachi · God Chooses Israel to bless the nations. Gen. 12- Deuteronomy · God institutes the Mosaic law with a purpose. (613 laws) · Israel's royal failure (Joshua, Judges, 1 & 2nd Samuel, 1 & 2 Kings) · Israel’s exile and the prophetic hope. (Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Hosea-Malachi) · 400-year period between old and New Testament where a lot happened but nothing considered inspired scripture, so we have no biblical record. 4. Redemption Provided in Jesus (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John) 5. Great Commission to all Nations (Acts -Revelation) 6. Redemption Completed, God Dwells with People Again (Revelation 22) The wrath of God and condemnation of humanity Romans 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness Wrath-the punitive (inflicting punishment) outworking of God’s righteousness indignation at sin. John 3:18 He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. Condemned-to be or become subject to the pronouncement of guilt and a punitive sentence in a legal context. Atonement- to cover, pacify, make propitiation, appease, pardon; to cleanse from sin or the defilement of it. Genesis 3:21 Also, for Adam and his wife the Lord God made tunics of skin and clothed them. · In the laws of the Pentateuch (first five books of bible) the people are instructed to make tunics for the priests who enter God’s presence at the tabernacle. The tunics are to cover the priests’ nakedness (ʿerwâ) lest they incur guilt and die (Ex 28:42). The author may be anticipating this “lasting ordinance” (28:43) in drawing attention to the importance of covering the nakedness of the man and the woman. The role of the priests as developed in the Pentateuch is thus foreshadowed in God’s past work—his work of restoring to man the blessing of his presence and fellowship.[1] Leviticus 17:11 For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul.’ Hebrews 9:22 And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission. The Day of Atonement The entire Israelite community observed a special ritual once per year that effectively made atonement for all the people. This was called the Day of Atonement: Leviticus 16:34 “This is to be a lasting ordinance for you: Atonement is to be made once a year for all the sins of the Israelites.” 5 Sacrifices in Leviticus Image on screen and introduce worksheet 1. Burnt Offering-A voluntary offering that signifies propitiation for sin and complete surrender, devotion, and commitment to God. 2. Grain Offering (Meal or Tribute)-Voluntary offering that signifies thanksgiving for first fruits. 3. Sin Offering- The purpose of the sin offering was to atone for sin and cleanse from defilement. 4. Guilt Offering-Mandatory offering made by a person who had either deprived another of his rights or had desecrated something holy. 5. Peace Offering (fellowship) A voluntary offering that symbolized fellowship with God. Purpose of the Mosaic Law 1. Show humanity their sin Romans 3:19-20 Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. 20 Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin. Hebrews 10:1–4 For the law, having a shadow of the good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with these same sacrifices, which they offer continually year by year, make those who approach perfect. 2 For then would they not have ceased to be offered? For the worshipers, once purified, would have had no more consciousness of sins. 3 But in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. 4 For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins. 2. Produce brokenness and the realization that there is nothing you can do in and of yourself to fix the sin that is revealed or stop the wrath of God against you. Matthew 5:3 Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 3. Point people to Christ where you experience grace, forgiveness of sin, love, and acceptance. Galatians 3:23-25 But before faith came, we were kept under guard by the law, kept for the faith which would afterward be revealed. 24 Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25 But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor. Priestly offering sacrifices daily can never take away sin but Jesus did. Hebrews 10:11 And every priest stands ministering daily and offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. Romans 2:2–11 But we know that the judgment of God is according to truth against those who practice such things. 3 And do you think this, O man, you who judge those practicing such things, and doing the same, that you will escape the judgment of God? 4 Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance? 5 But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, 6 who “will render to each one according to his deeds”: 7 eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality; 8 but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness—indignation and wrath, 9 tribulation and anguish, on every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek; 10 but glory, honor, and peace to everyone who works what is good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 11 For there is no partiality with God. 1 John 4:10-11 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. Take Away: 1. Have you taken the time to process through the full weight of the Gospel of Christ? 2. If you are born again, do you recognize the enormous price that was paid for your soul? 3. If you are not born again, do you see that outside of Christ the wrath of God is against you as you are. You are in need of redemption and forgiveness of sin. 4. What are some practical ways that you can honor Christ’s sacrifice in this season of Easter? [1] Sailhamer, J. H. (2008). Genesis. In T. Longman III & D. E. Garland (Eds.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Genesis–Leviticus (Revised Edition) (Vol. 1, p. 94). Zondervan.