“And he shall take away all the fat thereof, as the fat of the lamb is taken away from the sacrifice of the peace offerings; and the priest shall burn them upon the altar, according to the offerings made by fire unto the Lord: and the priest shall make an atonement for his sin that he hath committed, and it shall be forgiven him.”
Context: Leviticus is the third book of the Bible and is part of the Torah, the first five books of the Old Testament. It primarily deals with the laws and regulations given by God to the Israelites through Moses. Leviticus contains instructions regarding the offerings, sacrifices, rituals, and moral conduct of the Israelites.
Sacrifices and Offerings: In Leviticus, God established a system of sacrifices and offerings for the Israelites to approach Him, seek forgiveness for sins, and maintain a proper relationship with Him. These offerings were a central aspect of the Israelite worship and had specific instructions for each type of offering.
The Sin Offering: Leviticus 4 describes the sin offering, which was made to atone for unintentional sins committed by the Israelites, both individuals and the community as a whole. The sin offering was different from other offerings because it dealt specifically with sin and cleansing from guilt.
Fat and its significance: In Leviticus 4:35, it mentions that the priest was to take away all the fat from the offering. In the sacrificial system, fat symbolized the choicest and best part of the animal. It represented the richness and abundance that belonged to God alone. By removing the fat and burning it on the altar, the Israelites demonstrated their recognition that God deserved the best of what they had to offer.
Symbolism and Atonement: The burning of the fat on the altar signified the offering being completely consumed by God’s holy fire. It symbolized the complete surrender and consecration of the offering to God. The atonement made by the priest for the sin of the individual or the community involved the transfer of guilt and the seeking of forgiveness from God.
Forgiveness and Atonement: The act of the priest making an atonement for the sin committed resulted in forgiveness from God. The sin was acknowledged, confessed, and dealt with through the sacrificial system. The offering, along with the sincere repentance and faith of the individual, allowed for forgiveness and restoration of the relationship between God and the person who had sinned.
Jesus Christ as the Ultimate Sacrifice: The sacrificial system in Leviticus served as a foreshadowing of the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross. Jesus, the sinless Lamb of God, offered Himself as the perfect atoning sacrifice for the sins of humanity. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus fulfilled the requirements of the law and provided forgiveness and salvation to all who believe in Him.
In summary, Leviticus 4:35 highlights the process of atonement for sin through the sin offering. The burning of the fat symbolized the surrender and consecration of the offering to God. The priest’s actions and the offering made in faith brought forgiveness and reconciliation with God. Ultimately, this sacrificial system pointed forward to Jesus Christ, who became the ultimate sacrifice for sin, providing complete forgiveness and redemption for all who trust in Him.
