A burnt offering in the Bible is a type of sacrifice offered to God. It was a common feature of ancient Israelite worship as prescribed in the Old Testament. The burnt offering symbolized the total dedication and surrender of the worshipper to God.
Origin and Purpose of Burnt Offerings
The practice of burnt offerings appears to have originated very early in human history. In the biblical Book of Genesis, Abel brings “fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock” as an offering to the Lord (Genesis 4:4). Throughout the Book of Genesis, the patriarchs like Noah and Abraham build altars and offer burnt offerings to God.
The primary purpose of a burnt offering was atonement and consecration to God. The entire sacrifice would be consumed by fire on the altar, symbolizing the worshipper’s complete devotion to God. No part of the animal was eaten by the worshipper. The rising smoke was also seen as a “pleasing aroma to the Lord” (Leviticus 1:9). As an act of atonement, the burnt offering made purification for sin possible.
Instructions for Burnt Offerings in the Law of Moses
The most detailed instructions for burnt offerings are found in the opening chapters of Leviticus. The Hebrew word is ‘ōlâ, meaning “that which goes up,” referring to the smoke and flame. Here are some key regulations for burnt offerings under the Law of Moses:
– Acceptable animals for burnt offerings were bulls, sheep, goats, turtledoves and young pigeons (Leviticus 1:3-17).
– The worshipper brought the animal to entrance of the tent of meeting. They laid hands on the animal, symbolically transferring sins onto it.
– The animal was slaughtered, drained of blood. Priests sprinkled the blood on sides of the altar.
– The animal was totally burnt on the altar along with the skin and entrails. The head and fat were placed on top of the burning wood.
– Various grain offerings like fine flour mixed with oil typically accompanied animal burnt offerings.
– Burnt offerings were a pleasing aroma to the Lord (Leviticus 1:9). The smoke was seen as ascending to God in heaven.
– Daily burnt offerings were made every morning and evening on behalf of Israel as a nation (Exodus 29:38-42).
– Burnt offerings were also made during appointed feasts and festivals (Numbers 28-29).
– The dedication of the tabernacle and temple included extensive burnt offerings (Leviticus 8-9; 1 Kings 8).
So in summary, the burnt offering symbolized complete surrender to God’s will and his atoning cleansing of sin, foreshadowing Christ’s perfect sacrifice.
New Testament Fulfillment in Christ
In his perfect life and death on the cross, Jesus fulfilled all that the Old Testament burnt offering symbolized. The book of Hebrews explains how Christ’s sacrifice supersedes and completes the old sacrificial system.
– Jesus lived a life of perfect obedience and surrender to the Father, something no burnt offering could accomplish (Hebrews 10:5-7).
– Animal sacrifices could never fully atone for sins permanently. But Christ’s death fully atoned for sins once for all (Hebrews 10:11-14).
– Jesus offered himself as the ultimate sacrifice, dying “outside the city gate” like the sin offerings of old (Hebrews 13:10-13).
– All the sacrifices pointed forward to the perfect obedience and substitutionary death of Christ (Hebrews 9-10).
So while the burnt offering was important in its time, Christians now offer a spiritual sacrifice of praise as they trust in Christ’s finished work (Hebrews 13:15-16). The old ceremonies have been superseded by the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus.
Key Aspects of Burnt Offerings
Let’s recap some of the main features and themes of the burnt offering in the Bible:
– It was the foundational and most common Old Testament sacrifice.
– The entire animal was burnt up, symbolizing complete dedication to God.
– It was seen as a pleasing aroma to the Lord.
– The blood made atonement for sins.
– It prefigured Christ’s full obedience and sacrifice for sins.
– Jesus fulfilled and superseded the Old Testament burnt offering.
– Christians now offer spiritual sacrifices based on Christ’s work.
So in summary, the burnt offering provided ritual cleansing of sin and symbolized full surrender to God’s will. This foundational Old Testament sacrifice pointed ahead to the once-for-all sacrifice of Christ on our behalf.
Key Bible Verses About Burnt Offerings
Here are some important Bible passages that mention burnt offerings:
Genesis 8:20-21 – Noah offered burnt offerings after the Flood.
Leviticus 1:3-17 – Regulations for burnt offerings under the Law of Moses.
1 Kings 18:38 – Fire consumes Elijah’s burnt offering on Mount Carmel.
Psalm 51:16-17 – God desires a broken spirit, not just burnt offerings.
Mark 12:33 – To love God and neighbor is more than burnt offerings.
Hebrews 10:5-7 – Psalms say God is not pleased with burnt offerings.
Hebrews 13:15-16 – Christians offer spiritual sacrifices and good works.
So those are some key verses that mention burnt offerings, from their early origins to their completion in Christ.
The Significance of the Burnt Offering
In summary, here is the significance of the burnt offering in Scripture:
– It was the foundational sacrifice, showing desire for atonement and dedication to God.
– The entire sacrifice was consumed, showing complete surrender of will and life.
– It foreshadowed Christ’s perfect obedience and full sacrifice for sins.
– All sacrifices find their ultimate meaning and fulfillment in Christ’s substitutionary death.
– Though no longer needed, the burnt offering remains a powerful symbol of living life as an act of worship and obedience to God.
So the burnt offering was central to Old Testament ritual and worship. Along with the other sacrifices, it pointed to human sinfulness and need for cleansing, which Christ definitively provided. He fulfilled the meaning behind this act of surrender and dedication to God.
Practical Applications and Lessons
Though we no longer practice literal burnt sacrifices today, the burnt offering provides some helpful applications and lessons for Christian living:
– We are called to live in total surrender and obedience to God each day. Our lives are an offering to him.
– Our sin deserves punishment, but Christ took that punishment on himself. His sacrifice makes fellowship with God possible.
– All of who we are and what we do should be fully devoted to pleasing and honoring God.
– Worship requires sacrifice and surrender, not just our words or ceremonies.
– We now offer spiritual sacrifices of praise, acts of service, generosity, and whole-life devotion to God.
– Everything we enjoy comes from God’s gracious provision, not our own efforts.
So while the outward forms have changed, the burnt offering still displays principles of atonement, obedience, sacrifice, worship, gratitude, and devotion that should define the Christian life.
Conclusion
The burnt offering was a foundational form of sacrifice in the Old Testament, practiced from earliest times. It symbolized the complete surrender of one’s life and will to the Lord. The entire animal was consumed on the altar, picturing atonement for sins but also wholehearted dedication to God. Though important in its time, the burnt offering was fulfilled in Christ’s perfect sacrifice on the cross. We no longer offer animal sacrifices but instead trust in Christ’s finished work. His death fully atoned for sins once for all eternity. As Christians we now offer spiritual sacrifices of praise, thanksgiving, acts of service and lives of total devotion to the God we love. The burnt offering remains a powerful symbol of the obedience, sacrifice and worship that should still characterize God’s redeemed people today.