Sacrifices were a central part of worship in the Old Testament. There were various kinds of sacrifices prescribed by God for different purposes. The major types of sacrifices were the burnt offering, grain offering, peace offering, sin offering, and trespass offering.
Burnt Offering
The burnt offering (Leviticus 1) was a voluntary offering given as an act of worship, devotion, and commitment to God. The word “burnt” indicates that the whole sacrificial animal, except for its hide, was consumed by fire on the altar. This signifies the complete dedication and consecration of the worshipper to the Lord. The elements offered were bulls, sheep, goats, turtledoves, or young pigeons.
This sacrifice expressed devotion, commitment, and complete surrender to God. It made atonement for the worshipper (Leviticus 1:4). The burning of the whole animal ascended as a “pleasing aroma to the Lord” (Leviticus 1:9), symbolizing complete consecration.
Grain Offering
The grain offering (Leviticus 2) was a gift of gratitude and thanksgiving to God. It was usually offered along with a burnt or peace offering. Grain, fine flour, baked goods made without yeast, wheat, barley, oil, incense, salt, etc. were offered. A handful was burned on the altar and the rest was given to the priests for food.
This offering expressed thanksgiving and the dedication of one’s livelihood and daily provisions to the Lord. It recognized that all we have comes from God and belongs to Him (Leviticus 2:14-16).
Peace Offering
The peace offering (Leviticus 3) was an offering to celebrate and maintain peace and fellowship between God, the priest, and the worshipper. It was a shared meal where God, the priest, and the worshipper ate together. The elements offered were cattle, sheep, or goats without defect.
The fat portions were burned on the altar as food for God. The breast and right thigh were given to the priest as his portion. The rest was cooked and eaten by the worshipper in God’s presence. The peace offering expressed thanksgiving and fellowship between God and man.
Sin Offering
The sin offering (Leviticus 4:1-5:13) was made to atone for specific unintentional sins committed against God. This could be sins committed by the high priest, the congregation, a leader, or any common person. The elements offered were bulls, goats, lambs, or turtledoves/pigeons – depending on the socioeconomic status of the sinner.
This sacrifice made atonement for the person’s sin and they were forgiven (Leviticus 4:20,26,31,35). Some parts of the animal were burned on the altar, while the rest was generally eaten by the priests. This offering cleansed unintentional sins against God.
Trespass Offering
The trespass offering (Leviticus 5:14-6:7) was made to obtain forgiveness for sins committed intentionally or unintentionally against holy things or people. This could include deceit, robbery, false oaths, fraud, finding lost objects, etc. The elements offered were rams or lambs.
This sacrifice made atonement for the sin and any restitution had to be paid to the wronged persons along with a 20% fine. The fat was burned on the altar and the rest was given to the priests to eat. This offering made atonement for sins against people.
Other Offerings
There were some other special offerings prescribed on specific occasions – the consecration offerings for priests (Exodus 29), cleansing offerings for skin diseases (Leviticus 14), the red heifer offering for purification from impurity (Numbers 19), and jealousy offerings for suspected marital unfaithfulness (Numbers 5).
The drink offerings (Exodus 29:40-41) of wine were generally made alongside the sacrifices. There were also voluntary vow offerings and freewill offerings (Leviticus 22:18-23) that worshippers could make anytime.
Significance of the Sacrifices
1. The sacrificial system was ordained by God Himself for the atonement of sins (Leviticus 4:20; Hebrews 9:22).
2. The sacrifices foreshadowed and pointed toward Christ’s ultimate sacrifice on the cross as “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29).
3. The blood shed in the sacrifices depicted Christ shedding His blood for our redemption (Hebrews 9:11-14).
4. The sacrifices provided a temporary covering of sins until Christ’s once-for-all sacrifice (Hebrews 10:1-18).
5. The sacrificial system instilled the seriousness of sin, the cost of forgiveness, and God’s holiness.
6. The sacrifices promoted worship, thanksgiving, commitment, and fellowship with God.
7. God meets His people where they are at and makes provision for their atonement according to their custom and context.
While the Old Testament sacrifices were important in their specific historical context, the death of Christ fulfilled and replaced the entire sacrificial system. His sacrifice cleanses us permanently when we put our faith in Him (Hebrews 10:10-18).