Leviticus 4:18

And he shal put some of the blood vpon the hornes of the altar, which is before the Lord, that is in the Tabernacle of the Congregation, and shall powre out all the blood at the bottome of the altar of the burnt offring, which is at the doore of the Tabernacle of the Congregation. Leviticus 4:18 (KJV)

Leviticus is a book of the Old Testament that primarily deals with the laws and regulations given by God to the Israelites through Moses. Leviticus 4 specifically focuses on the sin offerings and the atonement for unintentional sins committed by the people of Israel.

The sin offering was a sacrifice made to atone for unintentional sins committed by individuals or the whole congregation. It was a way for the people to seek forgiveness and restore their relationship with God. The specific details mentioned in Leviticus 4:18 outline the procedure for offering the blood of the sin offering on the altar.

In the sacrificial system of the Old Testament, blood was considered sacred and had a significant symbolic meaning. It represented life and served as a means of atonement. The shedding of blood was necessary to cover sins and reconcile the people with God. By putting the blood on the horns of the altar and pouring the rest at the base, the sin offering was presented before God in a prescribed manner.

The verse refers to two distinct altars. The altar mentioned as “before the Lord, that is in the tabernacle of the congregation” is the altar of incense, located inside the tabernacle. The “altar of the burnt offering” is situated at the door of the tabernacle in the courtyard. The blood was applied to the horns of the altar of incense and poured out at the base of the altar of burnt offering, symbolizing the purification and forgiveness of sins through the offering.

The location emphasizes the sacredness and solemnity of the act of atonement. The tabernacle was the dwelling place of God among His people, and the sin offering was to be performed in His presence.

As Christians, we no longer observe the sacrificial system of the Old Testament because Jesus Christ, the perfect and final sacrifice, has fulfilled the requirements of the law through His death and resurrection. However, we can still draw spiritual lessons from the concept of atonement and forgiveness portrayed in the sin offering. It reminds us of the seriousness of sin, the need for repentance, and the grace and mercy of God in providing a way for us to be reconciled with Him through Jesus.

In conclusion, Leviticus 4:18 outlines the procedure for applying the blood of the sin offering on the altars as a means of atonement for unintentional sins. It serves as a reminder of the importance of blood in the sacrificial system and points to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who shed His blood for the forgiveness of our sins.