The Burnt Offering

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Introduction: The Levitical sacrificial system had five separate and distinct offerings that could be made to the Lord. They mark a progression of closeness to with the first offering mentioned (see Leviticus being the closest to God and the last one being the first step in approaching God). This seemingly backwards approach is not unusual in the Bible. God usually begins from His perspective, not ours. He describes the furniture of the most holy place first and then proceeds to the holy place and the courtyard. He creates heaven and then earth (Gen.1:1). He lists the three-part nature of man as spirit first, then soul, then body (1Thes.5:23). Notice the following table with the offerings given in reverse order and their symbology explained.

The offerings of the law almost require a threefold approach. First, we should understand them as a way for the OT saints to make and keep a right relationship with God. Second, We should see the typology of these offerings as they point to Jesus Christ and His sacrifice for us. Third, we should see their application in our own approach to God.  

The burnt offering is the first offering specified by name in the Bible. Noah offered burnt offerings when he left the ark (Gen.8:20). Abel’s offering was certainly a burnt offering as well although it is not called such (Gen.4:4). The burnt offering is also the most common of the offerings mentioned in scripture and probably the most commonly offered. The table shows the five offerings in rank as to which of them oar mentioned most in scripture. 

I.     THE OFFERING WAS BROUGHT (1:1-2) 

      A.      To the Tabernacle of the Congregation (v.1-2) 

            1.      To the place of God’s choosing (v.1)

            2.      Unto the Lord (v.2) 

      B.      Of the Herd and of the Flock (v.2) 

            1.      We are to bring of what we have (2Cor.8:12)

            2.      Christ came as a man; as one of us (Rom.8:3; Heb.2:14-18) 

II.     THE OFFERING WAS OFFERED (1:3) 

      A.      A Male Without Blemish (see 1Pet.2:22) 

      B.      Offered of His Own Voluntary Will  

            1.      God wants us to offer ourselves voluntarily to Him (Rom.12:1)

            2.      Christ offered Himself voluntarily as a sacrifice (Jn.10:17-18; Eph.5:2) 

III.    THE OFFERING WAS ACCEPTED (1:4) 

      A.      Christ Took our Sins on His Own Head (Isa.53:4-6; 1Pet.2:24) 

      B.      His Sacrifice was Accepted for Us (2Cor.5:21) 

IV.    THE OFFERING WAS KILLED (1:5) 

      A.      It was Killed Before the Lord  

      B.      The Blood was Sprinkled upon the Altar 

V.    THE OFFERING WAS FLAYED INTO PIECES (1:6-9a) 

      A.      It was Cut into Pieces (v.6; apply Heb.4:12) 

      B.      The Fire was Prepared (v.7) 

      C.      It was Laid in Order on the Altar (v.8) 

      D.      The Inward Parts were Washed (v.9a) 

VI.    THE OFFERING WAS CONSUMED ON THE ALTAR (v.9b) 

      A.      The Entire Offering was Burned  

      B.      It was a Sweet Savor Unto the Lord  

NOTE: The first three offerings (burnt, meat, peace) and both voluntary offerings and they are a sweet savor unto the Lord. The last two offerings (sin, trespass) are required and are not called sweet savors to the Lord. It is evidently sweet to the Lord when we serve Him because of love and not because we must (see Eph.5:2; Phil.4:18; Heb.13:16). 

VII.   THE OFFERING HAD SPECIFIC REGULATIONS (v.10-17)

      A.      For Offerings of the Flocks (v.10-13) 

      B.      For Offerings of Fowls (v.14-17) 

Conclusion: The burnt offering was a complete sacrifice. In all the other offerings, others (usually only the priests) were allowed to eat certain portions of the offered animal. However, in the burnt offering, nothing was to be eaten by man. It was all to be consumed on the altar as a gift to God. We need to look at our sacrifice to God in the same way. We need to give ourselves entirely to Him. This is, after all, only our reasonable sacrifice (Rom.12:1). 

MEMORY VERSES: 

1. Romans 12:1

2. Ephesians 5:2

3. Philippians 4:18