Leviticus
God ordained divers kinds of oblations and sacrifices, to assure his people of the forgiveness
of their offences, if they offered them in true faith and obedience. Also he appointed the priests
and Levites, their apparel, offices, conduct, and portion. He showed what feasts they should observe,
and at what times. He declared by these sacrifices and ceremonies, that the reward of sin is death,
and that without the blood of Christ, the innocent Lamb of God, there can be no forgiveness of
sins.
Chapter 1
Chapter Outline
The offerings. (1, 2)
From the herds. (3–9)
From the flocks, and of fowls. (10–17)Verses 1, 2
The offering of sacrifices was an ordinance of true religion, from the fall of man unto the coming
of Christ. But till the Israelites were in the wilderness, no very particular regulations seem to have
been appointed. The general design of these laws is plain. The sacrifices typified Christ; they also
shadowed out the believer's duty, character, privilege, and communion with God. There is scarcely
any thing spoken of the Lord Jesus in Scripture which has not also a reference to his people. This
book begins with the laws concerning sacrifices; the most ancient were the burnt-offerings, about
which God here gives Moses directions. It is taken for granted that the people would be willing to
bring offerings to the Lord. The very light of nature directs man, some way or other, to do honour
to his Maker, as his Lord. Immediately after the fall, sacrifices were ordained.
Verses 3–9
In the due performance of the Levitical ordinances, the mysteries of the spiritual world are
represented by corresponding natural objects; and future events are exhibited in these rites. Without
this, the whole will seem unmeaning ceremonies. There is in these things a type of the sufferings
of the Son of God, who was to be a sacrifice for the sins of the whole world? The burning body of
an animal was but a faint representation of that everlasting misery, which we all have deserved;
and which our blessed Lord bore in his body and in his soul, when he died under the load of our
iniquities. Observe, 1. The beast to be offered must be without blemish. This signified the strength
and purity that were in Christ, and the holy life that should be in his people. 2. The owner must
offer it of his own free will. What is done in religion, so as to please God, must be done by love.
Christ willingly offered himself for us. 3. It must be offered at the door of the tabernacle, where
the brazen altar of burnt-offerings stood, which sanctified the gift: he must offer it at the door, as