Bible Commentaries
Leviticus 4

Verse 1

CONTENTS

The interesting subject of the law of ordinances, is continued through this Chapter. Here are instructions, concerning sins of ignorance; and the offering to be made in consequence thereof. Moses is taught, by the LORD himself to instruct the Children of Israel, how to prepare, and offer those sacrifices; and of the difference in the ordinance, when it concerns a ruler or private person.

Verses 1-2

Observe the expression, If a soul shall sin; meaning no doubt that all sin is the sin of the soul. Micah 6:7 . And it is the soul that is hurt by it. Proverbs 8:36 . And it is the soul that is liable to death by it. Ezekiel 18:4 .

Verse 3

Observe the highest order is not more exempt than the lowest. Romans 3:10-19 . Hebrews 7:28 . Observe again, in this place, as in many former instances, the offering for sin, is to be an unblemished offering; thereby evidently referring unto CHRIST. Hebrews 9:14 ; 1 Peter 1:19 .

Verse 4

Reader! do not overlook the important ceremony, of laying on the hand. Did not this expressly say, that in the moment he did this, he himself as a sinner confessed that he merited the death, which the sacrifice was immediately after to sustain. Leviticus 16:21 ; Galatians 3:13 .

Verse 5

Was not this significant that the blood of CHRIST, is not only shed for sin, but offered to GOD for a propitiation. Hebrews 9:22-24 .

Verse 6

Were not those repeated presentations typical of the continued appearance of the LORD JESUS, for his people before the mercy-seat, who when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the majesty on high? Hebrews 1:3 .

Verse 7

Were not those things, in putting some of the blood upon the altar, and pouring out the rest, typical of the different parts of CHRIST'S passion? Revelation 8:3-4 ; Isaiah 53:12 .

Verses 8-10

The offering of the fat, and the inward parts, to the LORD, seemed to convey this spiritual sense, that the heart-affections, are the only real offerings the LORD accepts. Proverbs 23:26 . John 4:24 .

Verses 11-12

Perhaps this carrying forth without the camp, the Apostle hath best explained; Hebrews 13:11-13 . Beside this, might not the ceremony signify, the putting far away the corruption of our nature. Hosea 14:2 ; Romans 6:6 .

Verse 13

After the law respecting the sin of the priest, comes the provision for the national sin of the people. Reader! do not overlook a sweet improvement here. JESUS'S church will continue in the earth, as long as the sun and moon endureth; but though this is graciously promised, yet it is nowhere said that it shall be without error. It is only holy in the Redeemer's holiness. Song 1-8.

Verses 14-15

These elders were representatives of all the people. Observe! the laying on of the hand again. How typical of laying our sins on the LORD JESUS. Isaiah 53:6 .

Verses 16-21

All these are similar actions to what were enjoined concerning the sin of the high priest. Yes, there is but one, and the same salvation, both for the priest and the people. Acts 4:12 .

Verse 22

What a blessed provision is here shadowed forth, of the efficacy of CHRIST'S redemption, which taketh away all sin; in the delivery from the sin of ignorance. Job 6:24 .

Verses 23-26

The same without much variety, only in an humbler offering, is here appointed for the ruler, as for the priest. Both evidently referring to the finished redemption which is in CHRIST, and to which all these services ministered. Hebrews 10:1 .

Verses 27-35

There is but little alteration here again, in the provision, made for the sin of the common people, from that for the ruler; only in an humbler oblation. Ezekiel 18:4 . Hence, one common salvation is alike needed for all: and that can only be found in the redemption by CHRIST. 1 John 2:1-2; 1 John 2:1-2 .

Verse 35

REFLECTIONS

How beautiful is it to behold the LORD JESUS thus set forth by the HOLY GHOST to the view of the church, under that grand and important part of his divine character our great high priest. But how equally beautiful is it to observe at the same time, what an everlasting distinction the blessed SPIRIT hath drawn between JESUS and all his types, in his servants. Here under the law, as an apostle truly saith, we see men that have infirmity, made high priests: but under the gospel, the word of the oath which was since the law, maketh the SON who is consecrated forevermore.

Here Reader! let you and I pause over those solemn representations. Here let us behold the great evil of sin, which alike in priest, and in people, among the rulers and the poor, exposes all without distinction, to the just and merited punishment of Almighty GOD. Is your heart, like my heart, under a deep sense of sin, and the consciousness of deserved wrath, prompted to ask with him of old, Wherewith shall I come before the LORD, and bow myself before the High GOD? shall I come before him with burnt offerings, or give the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? Oh! how infinitely precious, to every truly awakened heart that is asking the way of salvation, in those anxious enquiries, is that soul-reviving answer; Behold the LAMB of GOD which taketh away the sins of the world. Dearest JESUS! may I know by the sweet application of the HOLY GHOST's work in my heart, that thou hast taken away my sin, and art become the LORD my righteousness.