An Acted Parable
When God gave the Hebrew people instructions for the Tabernacle and the various rites and ceremonies that would be done there, it was not just for the purpose of occupying their time and seeing how well they could follow complicated directions. There was deep meaning in each and every detail. Everything about the system was for the purpose of educating them regarding His Plan of Salvation. The sacrifices and offerings they brought were all a part of the Gospel acted out, a living parable.
Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 2:5
Burnt Offering
(Lev. 1; 6:8-13; 7:8, 37; 8:18-21; 22:18-20)
Dedication / Consecration
A person might voluntarily bring an animal as a burnt offering when they wanted to give a gift totally to God with nothing kept back. The animal was killed and its entire body was burned as a symbol of the person consecrating themselves totally to God. It was a “sweet savor” to Him because He appreciated the motive behind it.
There was also a mandatory, daily, public burnt offering which was a symbol of the continual consecration of the entire nation to God.
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Romans 12:1, 2
God is looking for those who will give themselves totally to Him every day with no reservations.
Firstfruits
(Ex. 23:19; 34:26; Lev. 2:12; Num. 15:17-21; 18:12; Deu. 18:4; 26:1-11)
Giving the First and Best
Bringing an offering of Firstfruits symbolized giving God the first and best before taking any for personal use. The person acknowledged God’s blessing and expressed their gratitude for what He had provided.
And now, behold, I have brought the firstfruits of the land, which thou, O LORD, hast given me. And thou shalt set it before the LORD thy God, and worship before the LORD thy God: And thou shalt rejoice in every good thing which the LORD thy God hath given unto thee, and unto thine house, thou, and the Levite, and the stranger that is among you. Deuteronomy 26:10, 11
God is waiting for us to express our appreciation to Him for all the blessings He gives us. We are admonished to give our best to Him in addition to the tithe that already belongs to Him. He doesn’t want merely what is left over after we have used His resources for ourselves.
Peace Offering / Thank Offering
(Lev. 3; 7:11-21, 29-37; 19:5-8)
Friendship and Fellowship
When a person brought a Peace Offering or Thank Offering, part of it was burned on the Altar, certain parts were given to the Priest, and the remainder was eaten by the person and their family. This was like extending a personal invitation to God to have a meal together in friendship and fellowship, again for the purpose of expressing appreciation for what He had done.
And if ye offer a sacrifice of peace offerings unto the LORD, ye shall offer it at your own will. It shall be eaten the same day ye offer it, and on the morrow: Leviticus 19:5, 6
Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. Revelation 3:20
By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. But to do good and to communicate (share) forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. Hebrews 13:15, 16
Sincere praise is a sacrifice that God appreciates. We need to recognize His gracious hand in our lives and give Him the praise He deserves for all the good that He does for us. He is generous in blessing us. Though we cannot benefit Him by giving anything back to Him, since He owns everything and has no needs, we can be a blessing to Him by our generous expressions of genuine thankfulness and praise.
Sin-offering
(Lev. 4; 6:24-30; 7:37)
Removal of Guilt
If a person erred and disobeyed God inadvertently, they were required to bring an animal as a sacrifice. They confessed their sin on the head of the animal, which symbolically transferred their guilt to the animal, then killed it as their legal substitute. Its blood was sprinkled on the Altar, its body was burned, and the sinner could walk away pardoned.
. . . and the priest shall make an atonement for his sin that he hath committed, and it shall be forgiven him. Leviticus 4:35
Trespass-offering
(Lev. 5:1 – 6:7; 7:1-7, 37; Num. 5:5-10; 18:9, 10)
Reparation for Damage Done
A trespass offering was presented to God when a person had unintentionally done something that caused monetary damage. He was required to restore the principal plus 20% to the damaged party to make reparation for the damages and then bring a trespass offering to God.
. . . he shall restore that which he took violently away, or the thing which he hath deceitfully gotten, or that which was delivered him to keep, or the lost thing which he found, or all that about which he hath sworn falsely; he shall even restore it in the principal, and shall add the fifth part more thereto, and give it unto him to whom it appertaineth, in the day of his trespass offering. Leviticus 6:4, 5
We should appreciate the forgiving attitude God has, that He has laid our guilt on His Son, Jesus, as our Substitute, the Ultimate Sin-offering. Since He does not want us to die eternally because of our sin, He has granted us the opportunity to confess and repent and be pardoned.
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 6:23
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16