Bible Commentaries
Leviticus 3

Verse 1

CONTENTS

In pursuing the order of appointments, under the Levitical dispensation, this Chapter contains the account of the institution of peace-offerings; which are to be taken from the herd, a bullock or an heifer; or from the flock, either a lamb, or a goat.

Leviticus 3:1

Is not the peace, which the LORD JESUS hath made for his people, in the blood of his cross, intended by this shadowy representation? Observe, this peace offering was to be without blemish. Was not this evidently alluding to CHRIST? Compare Exodus 12:5 with 1 Peter 1:19 .

Verse 2

Observe, the laying on of the hand upon the head of the offering. What could more strikingly represent the transfer of sin? And is not this transfer made of sin to the person of CHRIST? Compare Leviticus 6:21 with 2 Corinthians 5:21 ; Isaiah 53:7-11 .

Verses 3-5

Perhaps the significance of those things, in the inward fat, meaning the prime parts of the animal, was meant to show that all offerings to the LORD must be from the heart, including the best of our affections. Proverbs 23:26 .

Verse 6

Reader! look at JESUS. Heb 9:14 ; 1 Peter 1:19 .

Verses 7-8

Observe again, the laying on of the hand, by way of acknowledging the transfer of sin. Hosea 14:1-2 .

Verse 9

As the tails of the sheep are very large and fat, in those eastern countries, and were considered as a very choice part of the animal, they were ordered to be sacrificed on the altar. Exodus 29:22 .

Verses 10-12

Much the same observations meet us here as before. See Romans 8:3-4 .

Verse 13

Reader! observe again, the order of laying on of the hand. So very important is the doctrine couched under it. Dearest JESUS! may I find grace to lay my hand by faith upon thy head, and while I confess my sins, may I rejoice that thou hast borne my sins, in thine own body on the tree! Daniel 9:24 .

Verses 14-16

The same observations meet us in those verses, as in Leviticus 3:3-5 .Genesis 41:32 .

Verse 17

Observe the solemn injunction respecting the blood. No doubt in honour to the blood of CHRIST, by which alone atonement is made for sin. And through the whole Levitical dispensation this is strictly attended to. Genesis 9:4 ; 1 Samuel 14:32-34 ; , compared with Ephesians 1:7 . Hence the heathen worship is so spoken of, Psalms 16:4 ; Luke 13:1 .

REFLECTIONS

MY soul! I would charge it upon thee to behold in these scriptures, how great stress is continually laid upon the priest's putting his hands upon the head of the beast offered in sacrifice. As if, that it might be suitably impressed upon the minds of the people, the pleasure JEHOVAH had in this shadowy transfer of sin, from his people to the sacrifice. Oh! most holy blessed GOD and FATHER, how gracious was it in thee thus to silence all the fears and apprehensions of thy people, of the right and justice of the thing itself, by thus repeatedly manifesting that it was from thine own appointment. Yes, blessed GOD! though it be not in the power of any man to transfer his sin to another, yet it is not beyond thy right and prerogative as GOD. And since the glory of thy holy law, by the obedience and sacrifice of thy dear SON, is so abundantly secured and glorified; now may every poor sinner take comfort in the assurance, that GOD can be just and the justifier of him that believeth in JESUS.

How sweet is it to behold, in every ordinance, and under every sacrifice, the leading features of him, who in his one sacrifice, once offered, hath forever perfected them that are sanctified! Blessed JESUS! be thou my peace-offering for thou hast made my peace in the blood of thy cross. Oh! grant me grace to rest my soul, as the priest rested his hand on the devoted sacrifice, on thy precious merits, blood, and righteousness. And may my soul be so thoroughly satisfied with this complete redemption of thine, that I may seek no other. May I know, by heartfelt experience, under the teaching, and application of GOD the HOLY GHOST, that there is salvation in no other; neither is there any other name under heaven, given among men, whereby we must be saved.