Bible Commentaries

The first movement in this chapter completes the subject of the trespass offering in its application to other men. Carefully observe, however, that such a trespass is also trespass against the Lord: "If any one sin, and commit a trespass against Jehovah, and deal falsely with his neighbor. . . ." Five illustrations are given an examination of which will show that the underlying wrong in each case is violation of truth.

The divine provision for worship having been revealed in the offerings, instructions were now given concerning the method of offering, which will reveal the true attitude of the worshiper. In the burnt offering the priest was charged to observe a threefold carefulness. He must be robed in his garments of pure linen, must employ the ashes which signified expiatory sacrifice, and must guard the holy fire, which is the element by which the offering passes from the giver to God.

In connection with the meal offering there are four points to be noted, an absence of leaven, the agency of fire, the retention of a portion for the priests, and, finally, the perpetuity of the offering. As indicating the complete devotion of the priests the whole of their meal offering was to be consumed, no part being retained for themselves.

The law of the sin offering provided that it should be killed in the place of the burnt offering. In this offering the one supreme care of the worshiper was to be recognition of the fact that it was a most holy thing, no part of which must be defiled. Moreover, the portion of the offering devoted to the purpose of sustenance must be eaten in the Holy Place. Thus the supreme importance of the expiatory method is clearly revealed.