THE SIN & TRESPASS OFFERINGS (Lev 4.1-6.7)

The sin of the ruler (4.22-26)

I am a great admirer of David and think often of what made him outstanding. In considering the sins of the rulers, David’s faults are before us. Satan is continually on the track of good servants of the Lord, to bring them down and use them. Such faithful servants should constantly be on their guard, and always be the subject of prayer by the saints so that they are preserved and helped. It is not David’s grosser sin concerning Uriah (2 Sam 11) that will be considered, but rather two sins which can sometimes be seen today in rulers.

Bringing back the ark (2 Sam 6.1-11). David’s exercise was good and genuine but the method that he employed was not after the divine order. It must be stressed that we should not only be pure in motive and in service for the Lord, but we should be right and scriptural in our methods as well. We should "strive lawfully" (2 Tim 2.5). Departing from methods laid down in the Scriptures may seem to be successful, but "success" does not justify the use of these methods by the assemblies. Clean, devoted servants are needed; not new methods. There must be looking to the Lord to bless as we diligently seek to serve Him.

It is possible to put our trust in our method instead of the Lord who sends us forth. I am now thinking of a foolish thing that the wise ruler Solomon did. He promoted Jeroboam because he had valour and was industrious (1 Kings 11.28). Solomon in spite of his wisdom did not notice how ambitious he was. Israel suffered very much indeed because of Jeroboam who made them to sin (see 1 Kings 15.30). The same mistake has been made today. It is not given to man to promote any in God’s assembly. This must be the sovereign work of the Holy Spirit (Acts 20.28).

Numbering the people (2 Sam 24). We can see pride in this, for the reason given is that "I may know the number of the people" (v.2). It was changed days from the time in the cave Adullam when David weighed hearts rather than count heads (1 Sam 22.1-4). He put more stress on quality than quantity. We all love to see increase. That is a good exercise but must be sought by submission to the Word of God.

The sin of one of the common people (4.27-35)

Someone may be thinking, "I do not move in a public way. What I do is of little importance; it makes no difference and does no damage in the assembly." If you think like this you are wrong. We will all stand as individuals at the Judgment Seat to be judged as to things done in the body, whether they be good or bad (2 Cor 5.10). Consider, for example, Achan (Josh 7). It is possible that we would never have heard of him if he had not committed the sin of covetousness. He was one of the common people, but his sin brought defeat and disgrace to the children of Israel. No one in the assembly lives without influencing others. What we all do, indeed, affects the whole assembly. Let us all search our hearts and look closely into our lives, to see if there be any "wicked way" (Ps 139.24) in us, and bring to the Lord, not a bullock or a goat, but a broken and contrite spirit. We will find Him still "faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 Jn 1.9).

A further note regarding the sin offering

I have written in respect of the previous offerings that there is seen in them the glories of the person of Christ. The word for "burn" in the burnt offering is different from that used of the sin offering. In the burnt offering the idea is to "cause to ascend". In the sin offering it is to "burn thoroughly". Again, what was done with the blood was different. In the burnt offering it was sprinkled. In the sin offering it was poured out at the bottom of the altar.

In the burnt offering there is seen the Lord’s holiness. In the sin offering there is seen the Lord’s righteousness, smiting, exacting all. The priest had to eat the sin offering in the holy place and was able to freely say, "We have sinned", but the words used by the prophet, are, "Ye have sinned" (Jer 40.3).

It is good to eat the sin offering in the holy place but our own sin has to be acknowledged and with a desire to avoid it. The man who uncovers the sin must be clear of it himself.

The sin and trespass offerings are linked with the burnt offering and the peace offering, telling us that where there is repentance and confession, full acceptance can be restored, and sweet communion can again be enjoyed. Thanks be to our God for His rich mercy and bountiful grace that makes such a wonderful provision for us in righteousness, through the work and person of Christ.

In the previous articles on the first three chapters of Leviticus, for the most part my remarks were confined to the virtues and values of the offerings. However, in the sin and trespass offerings I have been highlighting more the failures of the offerer so that there would be a real challenge to all.

To be continued.