“And he shall put some of the blood upon the horns of the altar which is before the Lord, that is in the tabernacle of the congregation, and shall pour out all the blood at the bottom of the altar of the burnt offering, which is at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.”
Context: 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 purpose of the sin offering: 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.
The significance of the blood: 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 bottom, the sin offering was presented before God in a prescribed manner.
The altar: The mention of the altar refers to the bronze altar of burnt offerings that stood in the courtyard of the tabernacle. It was a central place of worship and sacrifice. The blood was applied to the horns of the altar and poured out at the base of the altar, symbolizing the purification and forgiveness of sins through the offering.
The location: The verse specifies that the altar is located “before the Lord” and “in the tabernacle of the congregation.” This 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.
Application today: 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 altar 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.
