Praise the Lord Jesus Christ, please study this chapter and then answer all 103 questions at the end of this chapter.

Leviticus Chapter 1

The book of Leviticus is one of the most important books in the Old Testament. This book is a set of rules that God gave to Moses, so that His Hebrew children could learn how to live pleasing unto God. This book is the third that Moses wrote. It is the third of the Pentateuch (5 books).

These laws, God gave to Moses for the people, are not just religious laws, but civil laws as well. If the people live up to these laws, there would be no need for a king to rule over them. God wanted to fellowship with His people. He made a way for them to approach Him through sacrifice and obedience.

In Leviticus, we see the day to day progression of these Israelites. We will see as long as they worship God, they stay in good standing with Him. It is only when they wander from His instructions that they have trouble.

The Hebrew title of Leviticus is Wayyiqra, which means (and He called). It is also known as the (law of the priests), and the (law of offerings). In the Septuagint, it is titled Leuitikon, which means (that which pertains to the Levites). The name Leviticus indicates that it is connected with the tribe of Levi.

These laws were definitely given to Moses. The Hebrews were camped at the foot of mount Sinai, when Moses received these laws, which would later be called the law of Moses. They covered religious obligations, civil laws, moral laws, and even covered financial and dietary laws. A people could live just by these laws and do very well. God really wanted to be the only King these people needed.

These Levitical laws were given to Moses about one year after the first Passover. It would actually be about the first part of the second year of their wanderings.

In our study here, as in the other studies, we are looking into the spiritual meaning of the Scriptures. We will see types and shadows of Jesus in the offerings and sacrifices. Just as in the book of Hebrews, we see Jesus Christ as our High Priest. He (Jesus), is our perfect sacrifice for all time. Thank goodness we do not have to keep up with all the sacrifices today. It would be a full time job. We see Jesus as the Passover Lamb, we see Him as the Bread, we see Him taking our sin upon His Body, that we might take on His righteousness.

If there is a theme, that we are to partake of in this book of Leviticus, it would be (Be ye holy, for I am holy). God is the holy God. A sinful person cannot approach God. We are allowed to approach Him, when we are covered in the blood of the prefect Lamb, His precious Son Jesus Christ. Only when we are washed in that blood are we allowed to approach the Father. Our life is in the blood of the Lamb. We are partakers of death, until we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord. He is life. If we are full of Jesus, then we are full of life.

In Leviticus we see God teaching His chosen people how to live up to their being His chosen. We must look carefully at this book. We too, are the called of God. We must learn what is expected of the called of God. This is for all of God’s people, but even more so for those called into the ministry. God brought them out of Egypt (the world). Have we really left Egypt (the world), or are we still trying to cling to the world with one hand, and have God with the other? We have to leave Egypt before we can head for the Promised Land.

We can learn the ways of God in this series of lessons, but it is a special thing to be able to walk with God. He fellowships with the pure in heart only.

We sing a praise song that says (Open my eyes Lord, I want to see Jesus. To reach out and touch Him and say that I love Him. Open my ears Lord and help me to listen, open my eyes Lord I want to see Jesus). To understand Leviticus, we must open our heart and let the Holy Spirit tell us the hidden messages contained here.

In these lessons watch for two keys. Access to the Father and the Holiness of God. The word Holy occurs 80 times in this book. God will also establish in this book the special times of worship. Look in each one of these and see Jesus. Offerings and feasts will all be types and shadows of our Lord Jesus. Look for Jesus in the high priest and look for believers in the priests. The symbolic meanings are tremendous in this book.

God is a God of order. In Exodus, He gave instruction for the building of the Tabernacle. Now Moses receives the instructions for the form of worship conducted in the tabernacle. Each sacrifice has a specific purpose. I say one more time, try to see the message God has for us in each of the feasts and sacrifices.

Leviticus 1:1 “And the LORD called unto Moses, and spake unto him out of the tabernacle of the congregation, saying,”

“The Lord called unto Moses”: Leviticus begins where Exodus left off. No sooner did the glory cloud come down to rest on the tabernacle in the concluding verses of Exodus, then God instructed Moses with the content in Leviticus. The question of how to use the tabernacle in worship is answered here by an audible voice from the Divine Glory over the ark in the Holy of Holies (compare Exodus 40:34; Num. 7:89; Psalm 80:1).

“Tabernacle of the congregation”: This is so named since it was the place where Israel would gather to meet the Lord (compare Exodus 25:8, 22; 26:1-37; and see Exodus chapters 25-32), for a detailed description of the tabernacle.

This very first verse leaves absolutely no doubt who these laws were given to, and no doubt at all who gave them. Lord in the verse above, is Jehovah, which means self existent or eternal One.

Leviticus 1:2 “Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, If any man of you bring an offering unto the LORD, ye shall bring your offering of the cattle, [even] of the herd, and of the flock.”

“Speak unto the children of Israel”: This is essentially revelation with reference to their spiritual life, for all the descendants of Jacob, who was also called Israel (compare Gen. 32:28).

“If any man of you bring”: These were completely voluntary and freewill offerings with no specific number or frequency given (1:3). The regulation excluded horses, dogs, pigs, camels, and donkeys, which were used in pagan sacrifices, as well as rabbits, deer, beasts and birds of prey. The sacrifice had to be from the offer’s herd or he had to purchase it.

“An offering”: The Pharisees manipulated this simple concept so that adult children could selfishly withhold the material goods which would help their parents, under the guise of Corban, that it was dedicated to the Lord (compare Mark 7:8-13).

“Bring an offering”: All sacrifices described in this book typically point to Jesus Christ, who gave Himself without spot unto God. They are thus predictive figures called types. Aaron the high priest also typifies Christ, our high priest (Heb. 4:15; 5:4-6; 9:7-14).

“Herd, and of the flock”: These terms refer to the cattle (1:3), sheep, or goats (1:10), respectively. Only domestic animals could be sacrificed.

We remember, from the study in Exodus, that the people were so frightened by the voice of God, that they had begged Moses to talk to God for them. The chain was God speaking to Moses and then Moses speaking to the people. The message Moses was to give the people was from God. Moses was just the mouth to bring it. This offering above seems to be a voluntary offering, because of the word [if]. One of the pleasing things that the patriarchs did everywhere they went was build an altar to God. God is pleased when man tries to please Him. We remember in Genesis, that Cain’s offering was unacceptable to God, but Abel’s offering of the flock was acceptable. Man, worshipping through offerings and sacrifices, was as if he were offering himself to God. The shedding of the blood of the animal symbolized the offering of his life to God.

Leviticus 17:11 “For the life of the flesh [is] in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it [is] the blood [that] maketh an atonement for the soul.”

When the sacrifice was burned up, it symbolized the fact that the person sacrificing had totally committed themselves to God. The end result of sacrificing and making offerings is to put ourselves into a closer moral relationship with God. We Christians do this through accepting Jesus as our sacrifice. These Hebrews did it through sacrificing animals. The blood of animals, or even sinful man, could never do away with sin. The only thing it could do was cover it up. The person still had a guilty conscience. The only way to have a clear conscience is to be washed in the blood of Jesus Christ [the Lamb of God].

Hebrews 10:4 “For [it is] not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.”

Leviticus 1:3 “If his offering [be] a burnt sacrifice of the herd, let him offer a male without blemish: he shall offer it of his own voluntary will at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation before the LORD.”

The concept of a “burnt sacrifice” is presented first for significant reasons. It expressed “dedication”. The term means “that which ascends”, that is, to Yahweh. The entire sacrifice was consumed by fire on the altar, so that it was also described as the “whole burnt offering”. Of the other sacrifices, part was burned and part was eaten by the priests or even by the offeror himself; but all the burnt offering ascended to God in flame and smoke. Thus, the Israelite was taught that entire consecration is essential to true worship. The offerings were graded in value so that even the poorest worshipers who were conscious of their spiritual need might find access to God by coming in complete devotion. The offering was to be “a male without blemish”, indicating we are to bring the best we have to Him. The phrase “of his own voluntary will” is best translated “that he may be accepted”. The proper place to offer the sacrifice was “at the door of the tabernacle”, that is, in the court near the brazen altar, not at home or elsewhere.

This burnt sacrifice, as we said before, symbolizes the total commitment of the person sacrificing. This is to be done of their own free will, not of obligation. Salvation is offered to everyone, but we must accept Jesus as our Savior and Lord of our own free will. God does not require it of us. It is our decision whether we commit our life to God or not. The reason this is a male without blemish is because it is a type and shadow of Jesus (the Lamb of God). It shows the sin free (without blemish), life of Jesus. It was offered at the door of the tabernacle, because the first step to salvation is repentance. Just inside the door was the bronze altar. Bronze symbolizes judgement. We are all guilty of sin, before we repent and accept Jesus as our substitute for our sin. The person bringing this animal for sacrifice was placing his guilt on the head of this animal. The blood that was shed symbolized turning his life over to God. The key here is he came to God of his own free will. The blood sacrifice and the burning of the animal, showed his dedication to God.

Leviticus 1:4 “And he shall put his hand upon the head of the burnt offering; and it shall be accepted for him to make atonement for him.”

“Put his hand upon the head”: This symbolic gesture pictured the transfer of the sacrificers sin to the sacrificial animal and was likely done with a prayer of repentance and request for forgiveness (compare Psalm 51:18-19).

“Make atonement” The word means “cover”. The psalmist defines it by saying, “Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered” (Psalm 32:1). Theologically, the “atonement” of the Old Testament covered sin only temporarily, but it did not eliminate sin or later judgment (Heb. 10:4). The one time sacrifice of Jesus Christ fully atoned for sin, thus satisfying God’s wrath forever and insuring eternal salvation (compare Heb. 9:12; 1 John 2:2). Even to those who put saving faith in God for their redemption before Christ’s death on the cross (compare Rom. 3:25-26; Heb. 9:15).

“For him”: This was a substitutionary sacrifice that prefigured the ultimate substitute, Jesus Christ (compare Isaiah Chapter 53, see note on 2 Cor. 5:21).

When the person making the offering puts his hand on the animal’s head, it is as if he is placing his sin on the animal. This is exactly what happened when Jesus took our sin upon His body on the cross. In both instances, there is a substitute for the real sinner. Atonement is an interesting word. It means (to cover). It also means to cancel. The difference in the animal’s blood being shed for the sin of the person and Jesus shedding His blood for our sin, is covered in these meanings. The animal’s blood cannot do away with sin; it can only cover sin. The sin is still there, just covered by the blood. There cannot be a clear conscience following. In the case of the blood of Jesus, His blood cancels our sin out. There is no longer any sin and we have a clear conscience toward God.

Hebrews 10:4 “For [it is] not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.”

Jesus took our sin upon His body on the cross that we might take His righteousness on. The most beautiful statement in verse 4 above is (it shall be accepted for him to make atonement for him). Praise God, He accepted the substitute, and there is no need for further sacrifice for our sin. Jesus paid it all.

Leviticus 1:5 “And he shall kill the bullock before the LORD: and the priests, Aaron’s sons, shall bring the blood, and sprinkle the blood round about upon the altar that [is by] the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.”

“He shall kill”: Making vivid and dramatic the consequences of sin, the person offering the sacrifice killed and butchered the animal (compare verse 6).

“Aaron’s sons”: This refers to the immediate descendants of Aaron, i.e., Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar (compare Exodus 28:1). In the beginning, there were 5 priests, including Aaron, who served as the High-Priest.

“Sprinkle the blood round about upon the altar”: The slaying of the animal set forth symbolically the transfer of sin and guilt from the offeror to the sacrifice itself. The animal bore the penalty for sin, for “the wages of sin is death” (Rom. 6:23). The sacrifices represented the final and efficacious sacrifice of Jesus, shedding His blood to make full and complete atonement for sin (see Psalm. 40:6).

We look at the killing of this animal and realize it was necessary to reconcile the person to God. Without the shedding of blood there is no remission for sin.

Hebrews 9:22 “And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.”

The first step into salvation is repenting of sin. Just inside the door of the tabernacle was the brazen altar. This brazen altar was the altar symbolizing judgement, since it was made of bronze. We must first realize we are guilty of sin and then ask forgiveness for the sin on the way to God. The life is in the blood. This blood must flow to bring us life.

Leviticus 17:11 “For the life of the flesh [is] in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it [is] the blood [that] maketh an atonement for the soul.”

1 John 1:7 “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.”

Leviticus 1:6 “And he shall flay the burnt offering, and cut it into his pieces.”

Flay in the verse above, means to spread out hostilely or to strip. The entire burnt offering symbolized what the Father God does to sin. God the Father cannot look upon sin; His wrath burns it up. This is why at one moment during the crucifixion, Jesus cried out to the Father, “Why hast thou forsaken Me”? At that moment that Jesus symbolically took the sin of the entire world upon His body, the Father turned away. This shows God the Father cannot look upon sin, without totally burning it up. Jesus became the perfect sacrifice for sin at the shedding of His blood. From this day forward there was to never be any more sacrificing in the world. Jesus’ sacrifice was sufficient for all time for everyone. I believe this is why God allowed the temple in Jerusalem to be destroyed, to stop the sacrificing of animals. Jesus was flayed for believers.

Leviticus 1:7 “And the sons of Aaron the priest shall put fire upon the altar, and lay the wood in order upon the fire:”

The priests are to put the fire upon the altar, because they offered the sacrifice upon the altar. This applies to the first burnt offering which was offered upon the newly-erected altar, since afterwards the fire was always burning, and was never allowed to go out (Lev. 6:13).

“And lay the wood”: No other fuel but wood was allowed for the altar, and no one was allowed to bring it from his own house, but it had to be the wood of the congregation (compare Neh. 10:34; 13:31). It had to be of the best kind; worm-eaten wood or timber from pulled-down buildings was not allowed.

Not even the high priest would eat of the meat of this offering. This animal was to be totally consumed by the fire.

Leviticus 1:8 “And the priests, Aaron’s sons, shall lay the parts, the head, and the fat, in order upon the wood that [is] on the fire which [is] upon the altar:”

“The fire which is upon the altar”: Fire usually indicates wrath, judgment, and punishment. The fire here suggests the consuming wrath of God that comes upon the animal and not the offeror. That the bullock was totally consumed teaches that Christ’s sacrifice completely satisfied the demands of divine justice.

Again, here, we see that even the meat must be placed exactly in order. The fat was for a sweet smelling savor to the Lord.

Leviticus 1:9 “But his inwards and his legs shall he wash in water: and the priest shall burn all on the altar, [to be] a burnt sacrifice, an offering made by fire, of a sweet savor unto the LORD.”

“Wash”: This allowed the one sacrificing to cleanse the animal of excrement and thus make it clean.

“A sweet savor”: The pleasant smell of burning meat signified the sacrifice of obedience which was pleasing to the Lord. While the costly ritual recognized God’s anger for sin committed (compare 1:13, 17), the penitent heart behind the sacrifice made it acceptable. That was far more significant than the sacrifice itself (compare Gen. 8:21; 1 Sam. 15:23). This is the first of 3 freewill offerings to please the Lord. Compare the grain offering (2:2) and the peace offering (3:5).

This indicated God’s satisfaction with the offerings and the propitiation for sin that He accepted, thus satisfying and placating the righteous judgment and wrath of God. They pointed typically to the redemptive work of Christ, whose personal sacrifice to the Father was a “sweet aroma” that satisfied the righteous judgment of God upon sin.

This washing just shows that God will not accept an unclean offering. Ministers today could take a lesson from this. Of course, this entire offering symbolizes Christ’s sacrifice for us.

Leviticus 1:10 “And if his offering [be] of the flocks, [namely], of the sheep, or of the goats, for a burnt sacrifice; he shall bring it a male without blemish.”

“Sheep, or of the goats … a male without blemish”: A sheep or lamb without blemish typified the perfection and submission without objection that our Lord manifested, as He was “brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and … openeth not his mouth” (Isa. 53:7).

The importance of this being a male, is because it symbolized the offering Jesus made, and Jesus was of male gender in His flesh on the earth. The lamb must be a male, young enough not to have been with a female. It was to be without blemish. The very reason that Jesus’ legs were not broken on the cross was to fulfill the Scripture of having no broken bones.

John 19:36 “For these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken.”

Another Scripture shows the necessity of not breaking a bone of the offering.

Numbers 9:12 “They shall leave none of it unto the morning, nor break any bone of it: according to all the ordinances of the passover they shall keep it.”

This offering was to be burned completely up. No one was to eat any of it. God the Father cannot look upon sin; He will burn it up. This is the symbolism seen here. The burnt sacrifice was sacrificed right inside the door of the outer court of the tabernacle. The way to God is indicated by doing this. The first step a person must make on the way to God, is realize they are a sinner, and repent. When we do this, the next step is to transfer our sin over to Jesus, by accepting Him as our perfect sacrifice. It is no longer necessary to pay for our sin with our own blood. He (Jesus), shed His blood for us. He became our substitute when He took our sin upon His body on the cross and we took on His righteousness on our body. The penalty for sin is death; praise God! Jesus’ body died that we might live.

Leviticus 1:11 “And he shall kill it on the side of the altar northward before the LORD: and the priests, Aaron’s sons, shall sprinkle his blood round about upon the altar.”

This and other kinds of sacrifices were killed “on the side of the altar northward” (Lev. 6:25 7:2). Because here seems to have been the largest and most convenient place for that work, the altar being probably near the middle of the east end of the building, and the entrance being on the south side. So the north side was the only vacant place. Besides, this might design the place of Christ’s death, both more generally, to wit, in Jerusalem, which was:

“On the side of the altar northward” (Psalm 48:2). And more specially, to wit, on Mount Calvary, which was on the north and west side of Jerusalem.

We must remember from our Exodus teaching, that the priests symbolize those who have accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord. The high priest symbolized the pastor of the church. We also see in this above a type and shadow that we can apply to our present day church. The sinner brings the animal to the outer court and places his hand upon the animal’s head. He symbolically transfers his sins to the animal in so doing. This is the very thing we have done when we receive Jesus as our perfect sacrifice; we have transferred our sin to Him, as we said before. In this Scripture above, it shows that usually the first dealing with a sinner is not done by the pastor of the church, but by someone who is a believer in Jesus; a Christian. This altar here that is spoken of, is not in the Holy of Holies, it is in the outer court. It is the bronze altar. Bronze means judgement. The way to God, as we said before, is through repentance. This altar comes before baptism. Aaron’s sons ministered in the outer court. They put the blood on this altar of judgement, and the blood of the animal makes the person acceptable to God. Lay Christians bring prospects for the Christian faith to the church and then the minister preaches salvation to them. The sheep (believers in Christ), produce sheep. The pastor (shepherd), leads, guides, and feeds them after they come.

In this lesson, we have repeated ourselves quite a bit, but we must thoroughly understand these symbols before we go on. One of the most important lessons that we are to see in this, is that God Himself set up these sacrifices. This was being the way for sinful man to approach the Holy God. In the garden of Eden, after the sin of Adam and Eve, God sacrificed an animal and made garments for them out of the hide. In the burnt offering above, the only thing that was not completely burned up was the hide of the animal, which was given to the priest. Cain and Abel were a very good example that to be able to approach God, blood must be shed. Cain’s offering was unacceptable, because no blood was shed. I could go on and on, but I am sure you see the significance of the shedding of blood. Please keep in mind the types and shadows as we see Jesus in all the sacrifices and offerings. The person killing this sacrifice was admitting his sin.

I would like to go over again a few of the highlights we have already learned. We need to get all of this down deep into our understanding, that we might better appreciate what Jesus did for us when He was crucified on the cross.

We know that the burnt offering was to be made just inside the tabernacle of the congregation. We could view it as the entrance of the church. We know that the animal had to be perfect with no blemishes. The animal must be brought by the person seeking God.

We saw in a previous lesson how the person bringing the animal had to place his hand upon the animal’s head, symbolically placing his own sins on the animal. We also learned, that blood must be shed for the remission of sin.

Hebrews 9:22 “And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.”

Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin [is] death; but the gift of God [is] eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

These 2 Scriptures show us the seriousness of sin. Sin must be paid for by death through the shedding of blood. This animal was the substitute for this sinner as Jesus Christ was our substitute. In the case of Jesus this debt was paid for all mankind who will accept it for all time.

The blood of an animal cannot do away with sin, only cover the sin. The blood of Jesus Christ destroyed sin for those who follow Jesus. Jesus took our sin upon His body, and we took on His righteousness, when we wash in His blood.

In the burnt offering, the only thing that was not completely burned up was the hide of the animal, which was given to the priest. Isn’t it interesting that God sacrificed an animal in the garden of Eden and made garments to cover Adam and Eve out of the hide? Praise God! Our garment of white is washed in the blood of the Lamb.

Our covering (righteousness of Christ), was provided for us by our Savior Jesus Christ and will never wear out. Just as this burnt offering opened the way for these people to worship God, Jesus opened the way for the Christian to be in fellowship with God.

Leviticus 1:12 “And he shall cut it into his pieces, with his head and his fat: and the priest shall lay them in order on the wood that [is] on the fire which [is] upon the altar:”

The perfection of these Old Testament sacrifices prefigured the sinlessness of Christ, who was “holy, harmless, undefiled, separated from sinners” (Heb. 7:26; compare 9:24).

The first thing that jumps out at me in this is the fact that the person bringing the offering is helped by the priest. The priest sets everything in order. Remember, this animal being offered symbolizes this person’s life of sin. This old life must be destroyed. The wood symbolizes worldliness, and it too, will be totally burned up. When a person first seeks God, they usually need help and direction to keep them in the path. The priest here, is like Christian leaders and friends who help us sort out things when we first come to the Lord. We need their guidance to get us started.

Leviticus 1:13 “But he shall wash the inwards and the legs with water: and the priest shall bring [it] all, and burn [it] upon the altar: it [is] a burnt sacrifice, an offering made by fire, of a sweet savor unto the LORD.”

As he did the bullock (Lev. 1:9).

“And the priest shall bring it all”: All the parts to the ascent of the altar, as the Jews interpret it. All the parts and pieces of it, even the very wool on the sheep’s head. And the hair on the goat’s beard, their bones, sinews, and horns, and hoofs, all were burnt, as it follows.

“And burn it on the altar, it is a burnt offering, an offering made by fire, of a sweet savor unto the Lord” (see notes on Lev. 1:9).

LORD in the verse above is JEHOVAH, The Eternal One, or The One Who Exists. This was a very strong name the Hebrews used for God. This offering pleases God (sweet savor). This brings to mind the rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who comes home. These next 2 Scriptures let us know how much it pleases God for someone to be saved.

Luke 15:7 “I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.”

Luke 15:10 “Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.”

We must, also, look at the washing of the unclean parts of this animal. This says to me that unclean gifts are not acceptable unto God. Ministers should not take unclean gifts from donors, if they know they are unclean. We can also see in this offering in the other elements, water, blood and Spirit. We know that this offering shows us a shadow of Jesus. The fire symbolizes God or the Spirit. The water is represented by the water in the washing and the blood is present in the animal. Let us look at two more Scriptures that show us the importance of all three.

1 John 5:6 “This is he that came by water and blood, [even] Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.”

1 John 5:8 “And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.”

This burnt offering then, is not only an acceptable offering to God, but opens the way to fellowship with God.

Leviticus 1:14 “And if the burnt sacrifice for his offering to the LORD [be] of fowls, then he shall bring his offering of turtledoves, or of young pigeons.”

As it might be for the poorer sort, who could not offer a bullock, nor a sheep, or a lamb (Lev. 5:7).

“Then he shall bring his offering of turtledoves, or of young pigeons”: The Jewish writers all agree, that the turtles should be old, and not young, as the pigeons young, and not old. So the Targum of Jonathan, Jarchi, Aben Ezra and Gersom. The latter gives two reasons for it, because then they are the choicest and easiest to be found and taken. No mention is made of their being male or female, as either would do. Or of their being perfect and unblemished, as in the other burnt offerings. But if any part was wanting, it was not fit for sacrifice, as Maimonides observes. These creatures were proper emblems of Christ, and therefore used in sacrifice. Whose voice is compared to the turtle’s, and his eyes to the eyes of doves (SOS 2:12). And who is fitly represented by them for his meekness and humility. And for his chaste and strong affection to his church, as the turtledove to its mate, and for those dove like graces of the Spirit which are in him.

The only reason this offering would be of a fowl, would be because the offeror was poor and could not offer more. God does not excuse the poor from making offerings, but does allow them to give less according to their ability to pay. This is such a beautiful symbolic meaning here. This type of fowl is a messenger. The dove also, symbolizes the Holy Spirit. This implies that the thoughts of man should soar above the earthly and be stayed upon the heavenly. Each person dedicating their life to God should be His messenger.

Leviticus 1:15 “And the priest shall bring it unto the altar, and wring off his head, and burn [it] on the altar; and the blood thereof shall be wrung out at the side of the altar:”

“The priest … wring off”: Unlike the livestock being killed by the one offering the sacrifice, the bird was killed by the priest.

All of the burnt offerings show a shadow of Christ. I would say this would be the sorrowful Christ. This blood being wrung out shows the violent manner that Jesus shed His blood. It is wrong to believe that Jesus’ blood was spilled. It was no accident that He shed His blood for us.

Leviticus 1:16 “And he shall pluck away his crop with his feathers, and cast it beside the altar on the east part, by the place of the ashes:”

“Crop … feathers”: This refers to the neck or gullet of a bird where food was stored.

“East part … place of the ashes”: This was the closest side to the entrance of the tabernacle compound and provided for the easiest removal of the ashes outside (compare 6:10-11).

This casting away of the feathers, shows me the fact that Jesus’ robe was cast off before His crucifixion. To perfectly humiliate Him, they took His robe off. In this we see the humiliation of Jesus on the cross.

Leviticus 1:17 “And he shall cleave it with the wings thereof, [but] shall not divide [it] asunder: and the priest shall burn it upon the altar, upon the wood that [is] upon the fire: it [is] a burnt sacrifice, an offering made by fire, of a sweet savor unto the LORD.”

One wing being on one side, and the other on the other side.

“But shall not divide it asunder”: The body of the bird, though it was cleaved down in the middle, yet not parted asunder, nor any of its wings separated from it. The Targum of Jonathan paraphrases it, “but shall not separate its wings from it”. This denoted, that though, by the death of Christ, his soul and body were separated from each other, yet the human nature was not separated from his divine Person. The personal union between the two natures still continuing. Nor was he divided from his divine Father, though he was forsaken by him, yet still in union with him as the Son of God. Nor from the divine Spirit, by which he offered up himself to God, and by which he was quickened. Nor from his church and people, for whom he suffered, they being united to him as members to their head.

“And the priest shall burn it upon the altar, upon the wood that is upon the fire”: In like manner as the ox, sheep, or goat were burnt. According to the Misnah, the priest went up the ascent (of the altar), and turned round about the circuit. When he came to the southeast horn, he cut its head (or nipped it) with his nail, over against its neck, and divided it, and squeezed out its blood by the wall of the altar, and turned the part nipped to the altar, and struck it at it, and rubbed it with salt, and cast it upon the fires. Then he went to the body and removed the crop and its feathers (or dung), and the entrails that came out along with it, and threw them into the place of ashes. He cleaved but did not divide asunder, but if he divided it was right, then he rubbed it with salt, and cast it upon the fires.

“It is a burnt sacrifice, an offering made by fire, of a sweet savor unto the Lord” (see notes on Lev. 1:9).

We can see in this spreading wide the wings and placing it upon the wood in one piece; the body of Jesus on the cross. Jesus’ arms were spread out as the wings of this dove were and placed upon a wooden cross. Jesus made the statement, that in this He glorified the Father. I would like to quote 3 Scriptures that show that in this God the Father was pleased and glorified.

John 12:28 “Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, [saying], I have both glorified [it], and will glorify [it] again.”

John 17:1 “These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee:”

John 17:5 “And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.”

There is no need to add to this, it says it all.

Leviticus 1: Questions