The Burnt Offering Ram
Leviticus 8: 18-21
The burnt offering ram DIG: How was the burnt offering different from the sin offering? Why did they lay their hands on the head of the sacrifice?
REFLECT: Is ordination for all believers, or only for the professional ministry? Is your ministry a pleasing aroma, an offering made to ADONAI?
There were seven main steps to the ordination of the Tabernacle and the priests. Part of the fifth step was the offering of a burnt offering ram: Following the purification offering (to see link click Ax – Aaron’s Purification Offering), a ram for a burnt offering was brought to the courtyard of the Tabernacle. Unlike sacrifices that were consumed by the worshiper and the priests, the burnt offering was to be entirely consumed on the bronze altar. Once again, Aaron and his four sons laid their hands on its head symbolizing the transference of their sin to the sacrifice. These animals were dying a substitutionary death. They were not guilty of the sins of Aaron and his sons. But since the priests were not to die, the animals took their place. Once again, the unusual feature is that it was Moses who performed the priestly side of the ritual and the priests-to-be took the part of the ordinary worshipper.106
Though they were described very briefly, putting the animal to death was the central and most important act in the sacrificial process. The Hebrew word for altar literally means the place of slaughter, and the location of the bronze altar in the center of the eastern half of the Tabernacle courtyard made it the focus of attention when sacrificial offerings were brought to God (see the commentary on Exodus Ex – The Courtyard and Gate of the Tabernacle). Similarly, the cross became the altar on which Jesus died (Philippians 2:8) for our sins (First Corinthians 15:3), substituting Himself for us just as animals had earlier been substituted by offerings for themselves or others (Genesis 22:13). That the cross is central to the New Covenant proclamation of salvation is clear when Paul said: I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified (First Corinthians 2:2; Galatians 6:14).107
Again Moshe slaughtered the ram and splattered its blood against all four sides of the altar. Then he cut the ram into pieces and washed the inner parts, and the legs, and put them with the head and the other pieces. After it was cut up, the entire ram was burned on the bronze altar. Everything went according to standard procedure. It is a burnt offering to ADONAI, a pleasing aroma, an offering made to ADONAI by fire (Ex 29:15-18; Lev 8:18-21). The blood of the burnt offering, given as a ransom for their sins, made it possible for them to enter the Holy Place at peace with YHVH. The point is that whoever represented God in ministry surely must have experienced full atonement: forgiveness of sin and acceptance with Him.108
All who believe in Yeshua Messiah are saved (Acts 16:31), not because of what we have done but because His blood purifies us from every sin (First John 1:7). Indeed, He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for our sins but also for the sins of the whole world (First John 2:2; Romans 3:25).
Dear Heavenly Father, Praise You for Your willingness to endure such awful shame and pain for us, so our sins could be completely forgiven. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His mercy for those who fear Him. As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us. (Psalms 103:11-12). Thank you for opening the door to all who receive you. But whoever did receive Him, those trusting in His name, to these He gave the right to become children of God. (John 1:12).
How awesome that when I asked You to be my Lord and Savior I was saved from sin’s punishment. For if you confess with your mouth that Yeshua is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart it is believed for righteousness, and with the mouth it is confessed for salvation (Romans 10:9-10). How wonderful that salvation not only saves me from punishment, but also clothes me in Messiah’s righteousness so I can live in heaven with You eternally! He made the One who knew no sin [Messiah] to become a sin offering on our behalf, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God (Second Corinthians 5:21). Praise Your great love! In Yeshua’s holy name and power of His resurrection. Amen
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