“Wherefore have ye not eaten the sin offering in the holy place, seeing it is most holy, and God hath given it you to bear the iniquity of the congregation, to make atonement for them before the Lord?”
This verse is part of a larger passage that recounts the account of the tragic deaths of Aaron’s sons, Nadab and Abihu, and the subsequent instructions given to Aaron and his remaining sons by God through Moses regarding the handling of sacrifices. Nadab and Abihu had offered unauthorized fire before the Lord, which led to their swift judgment and death.
In Leviticus 10:17, Moses questions Aaron and his remaining sons as to why they did not consume the sin offering in the holy place, as was prescribed by God’s instructions. The sin offering was considered “most holy” because it served as a means of bearing the iniquity of the congregation and making atonement for them before the Lord. By consuming the sin offering, the priests participated in the sacrificial system and symbolically bore the sins of the people, acting as intermediaries between the people and God.
This verse raises several key points that we can reflect upon:
The sanctity of the sin offering: The sin offering was set apart as the “most holy” because it had a significant role in dealing with the sins of the people. It represented the transfer of guilt and the necessary atonement for the congregation’s transgressions. This emphasizes the seriousness of sin and the need for proper reverence and adherence to God’s instructions in dealing with it.
God’s provision and responsibility: God had provided the sin offering to the priests, entrusting them with the responsibility of handling it. They were to eat it in the holy place, symbolizing their identification with the sins of the people and their role in securing atonement. This highlights the priestly function of intercession and the divine appointment and authority given to Aaron and his sons.
Obedience and adherence to God’s commands: Moses questions Aaron and his sons about their failure to eat the sin offering as commanded. This serves as a reminder of the importance of strict obedience to God’s instructions and the consequences of deviating from His ordained practices. The priests were to carry out their duties precisely as prescribed, without compromise or personal interpretation.
This passage and verse in Leviticus 10 prompt us to consider the significance of the sacrificial system in the Old Testament and how it foreshadowed the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who became the perfect and eternal sin offering for all humanity. The sin offering, as described in Leviticus, pointed to the need for atonement and the role of the priests in mediating between God and His people. However, in the New Testament, Jesus fulfilled this role completely, offering Himself as the ultimate and final sacrifice for sin.
Overall, Leviticus 10:17 serves as a reminder of the importance of obedience to God’s instructions, the sacredness of His prescribed rituals, and the significance of the sin offering in the Old Testament sacrificial system. It also invites us to reflect on the fulfillment of these sacrifices through Jesus Christ, who has made atonement once and for all.
