“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 savour unto the LORD.”
This verse is part of the instructions given by God to Moses regarding the various offerings and sacrifices to be made by the Israelites. Leviticus primarily deals with the laws and regulations related to worship and rituals in the tabernacle.
In Leviticus 1, God establishes the guidelines for burnt offerings, which were voluntary sacrifices made by individuals as an act of worship and dedication to God. These burnt offerings involved the offering of a clean animal, such as a bull, sheep, or goat, without any blemish.
Let’s break down the verse to understand its significance:
- “But he shall wash the inwards and the legs with water”: The verse instructs that after the animal is slaughtered and prepared for the burnt offering, the priest is to wash the inwards (or entrails) and the legs of the animal with water. This washing was a ceremonial act of cleansing and preparation, emphasizing the importance of purity and sanctification in the worship of God.
- “And the priest shall bring it all, and burn it upon the altar”: The priest is responsible for bringing the prepared animal, including the washed inwards and legs, to the altar for the burnt offering. The altar was a designated place of sacrifice and symbolized the meeting point between God and humanity.
- “It is a burnt sacrifice, an offering made by fire”: The offering described in this verse is a burnt sacrifice. The entire animal, including the washed inwards and legs, is completely consumed by fire on the altar. The burnt sacrifice signifies complete surrender and devotion to God, as the offering is entirely given up and consumed.
- “Of a sweet savour unto the LORD”: The burnt sacrifice is described as a sweet savour or a pleasing aroma to the Lord. This phrase indicates that the offering is acceptable and pleasing to God when offered in accordance with His instructions. It symbolizes the desire of the worshipper to draw near to God and express their gratitude, dedication, and commitment to Him.
Overall, Leviticus 1:13 emphasizes the importance of ceremonial cleanliness, the role of the priest in facilitating the offering, the complete surrender of the offering through burning, and the acceptability of the offering as a sweet savour to God. These rituals and sacrifices were a crucial part of the worship and religious life of the Israelites under the Mosaic Law.
It is worth noting that in the New Testament, with the coming of Jesus Christ, the sacrificial system of the Old Testament was fulfilled and rendered unnecessary. Jesus became the ultimate sacrifice, offering Himself as the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world (John 1:29). His sacrifice brought about forgiveness and redemption for all who believe in Him, establishing a new covenant between God and humanity (Hebrews 9:11-14).
