Laws, Laws and More Laws

Wow, there are so many laws I was having a hard to reading them and really understanding them. I decided to wait a couple of days and read a bit more to see if I could put more information together. Then I decided to do a bit of research on the computer and I came up with this handy dandy chart.

Sacrifices Brought By Individual Israelites:

Burt Offering (Lev 1; 6:8-13) This usually included a bull, ram, he-goat, or (for the poor) a male dove or young pigeon without defect. The offerer lays hands on the head of the sacrifice. He kills, , cuts up and washed the sacrifice. Priest pours the blood on the alter and burns the carcass. The significance was that this was a voluntary offering symbolizing the complete surrender to God.

Grain (meal) Offering (Lev 2; 6:14-23) This was a grain, flour or bread with olive oil and salt but NEVER with yeast. The food was prepared by the offerer and a Priest burns a handful and kept the rest for food. This was also a voluntary offering which accompanies most burt offerings and symbolizes devotion to God.

Fellowship (peace) offering (Lev 3; 7:11-36) An unblemished animal from a herd or flock was the sacrifice for this offering. The offerer lays his hands on the head of the sacrifice and then kills it. The Priest throws blood on the altar. part of it is eaten by the worshiper and his family. The meal following this voluntary offering symbolizes fellowship with God and Thanksgiving for blessings.

Sin offering (Lev 4:1-5:13; 6:24-30; 12:6-8; 14:12-14) Specific animals were required depending on status and position. The very poor are allowed to bring an offering of fine flour. The offerer lays his hands on the head of the sacrifice and kills it. Priests pour blood on the altar. The best of the carcass is burned and the rest goes to the priest. This was a sacrifice for sin or ritual uncleanness. the hands on the head signify identification of the offerer with the sacrifice that made atonement for him.

Guilt offering (Lev 5:14-6:7; 7:1-6; 14:12-18) A valuable ram or lamb was used for this sacrifice. the offerer makes restitution plus 1/5. He then lays his hands on the sacrifices head and kills it. the Priest pours the blood on the ground around the altar. The best parts are then burned and the Priest receives the rest. This offering was required when a person violated the rights of another such as in theft. It was also required when healed from leprosy (which was all sorts of diseases) as God had been deprived a worshiper while the person was diseased.

OK, so this really helped me a lot to understand the 5 main offerings. I hope it helped you too.