“And the priest shall offer them, the one for a sin offering, and the other for a burnt offering; and the priest shall make an atonement for him before the LORD for his issue.”
Leviticus 15 contains regulations concerning bodily discharges, particularly those related to bodily fluids and their impact on ritual purity. In this verse, the focus is on a man who has an abnormal genital discharge, commonly referred to as “issue.” The verse outlines the steps to be taken in order to achieve atonement for the man’s condition.
Sin Offering: The priest is instructed to offer two sacrifices for the man. One of these sacrifices is a sin offering. The purpose of the sin offering was to provide atonement for the person’s sins and to restore their relationship with God. It was a means of seeking forgiveness and cleansing from impurity.
Burnt Offering: The second sacrifice required is a burnt offering. The burnt offering was an act of worship, symbolizing the person’s dedication and surrender to God. It represented the complete devotion of the individual to God, acknowledging His sovereignty and seeking His favor.
Atonement: Through the sin offering and the burnt offering, the priest acts as an intermediary, making atonement on behalf of the man with the issue. Atonement refers to the reconciliation or reparation of a broken relationship. In this case, it signifies the restoration of the man’s spiritual relationship with God and the removal of any impurity or defilement caused by his condition.
It is important to note that these regulations were specific to the Mosaic Law and the Israelites’ worship practices during that time. The book of Leviticus contains numerous laws and rituals aimed at maintaining holiness and ritual purity within the community. These regulations were a part of the covenant between God and the Israelites and served to set them apart as a holy nation.
As Christians today, we do not observe these specific regulations outlined in Leviticus, as the sacrificial system and ceremonial laws were fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus became the ultimate and final sacrifice for our sins, providing complete atonement for all who believe in Him. As believers, we are called to approach God through faith in Jesus and His finished work on the cross, rather than adhering to the detailed rituals of the Old Testament law.
