Leviticus 1:9: “You are to wash the internal organs and the legs with water, and the priest is to burn all of it on the altar. It is a burnt offering, a food offering, an aroma pleasing to the Lord.”
Extended Explanation
Leviticus 1:9 provides further instructions on how to prepare a burnt offering. After the animal is slaughtered, skinned, and cut into pieces, the internal organs and legs are to be washed with water. This washing symbolizes purification, ensuring that every part of the offering is clean before it is placed on the altar. The priest then takes all the parts of the animal and burns them on the altar as a complete offering to God. The burning of the entire animal, with nothing left behind, represents total dedication to God. The phrase “an aroma pleasing to the Lord” indicates that this offering, when done in obedience to God’s instructions, is accepted by God and brings Him pleasure.
Historical Context
In ancient Israel, the practice of offering sacrifices was an essential part of worship and maintaining a relationship with God. The burnt offering, in particular, was a voluntary act of worship that symbolized atonement for sin and complete dedication to God. The instructions in Leviticus were given to ensure that the Israelites approached God with the proper reverence and obedience. The washing of the internal organs and legs reflects the care that was taken to present an offering that was clean and acceptable to God. This process also served as a reminder of the need for personal purification when approaching a holy God.
Theological Implications
Theologically, Leviticus 1:9 emphasizes the importance of purity and completeness in worship. The washing of the internal organs and legs represents the need for internal and external cleanliness when offering something to God. This goes beyond the physical act and points to the spiritual truth that God desires purity in the hearts of His worshipers. The burning of the entire offering symbolizes total surrender to God, where nothing is held back. The idea that the offering is a “pleasing aroma” to God reflects the biblical principle that obedience and wholehearted devotion are what truly please Him.
Literary Analysis
Leviticus 1:9 is part of the detailed and structured instructions for the burnt offering. The verse uses specific and descriptive language to convey the actions required to make the offering acceptable to God. The mention of washing the internal organs and legs highlights the importance of purification, while the burning of the whole offering emphasizes the idea of total commitment. The phrase “an aroma pleasing to the Lord” is a recurring theme in the Old Testament, symbolizing God’s acceptance of a sacrifice that is offered in accordance with His commands. The structure of the verse reflects the careful and orderly nature of worship that God required from His people.
Biblical Cross-References
- Exodus 30:7-8: These verses describe the burning of incense as a pleasing aroma to the Lord, connecting the concept of a pleasing aroma to the idea of worship that is acceptable to God.
- Psalm 51:17: This verse speaks of a broken and contrite heart as the true sacrifice that pleases God, linking the physical act of sacrifice to the spiritual condition of the worshiper.
- Romans 12:1: Paul urges believers to offer their bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which aligns with the idea of total surrender seen in the burnt offering.
What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian
For Christians today, Leviticus 1:9 serves as a reminder of the importance of purity and wholeheartedness in our relationship with God. While we no longer offer animal sacrifices, the principles behind this verse still apply. God calls us to approach Him with clean hearts and lives that are fully surrendered to His will. The washing of the internal organs and legs can inspire us to seek internal purity, not just external righteousness. The complete burning of the offering challenges us to consider whether we are holding anything back in our devotion to God. This verse encourages us to offer our whole selves to God, knowing that such an offering is pleasing to Him.
How This Verse Relates to a Loving God
Leviticus 1:9 reveals God’s love in His desire for a relationship with His people that is marked by purity and total commitment. The detailed instructions for the burnt offering were given to help the Israelites worship in a way that was acceptable and pleasing to God. By providing a way for the people to atone for their sins and dedicate themselves fully to Him, God demonstrates His love and grace. The idea that the offering is a “pleasing aroma” to God reflects His delight in the obedience and devotion of His people, showing that He values their sincere worship.
How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ
Leviticus 1:9 points to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Just as the burnt offering had to be pure and wholly consumed, Jesus offered Himself as the perfect and complete sacrifice for our sins. Hebrews 9:14 speaks of Christ offering Himself “without blemish to God,” fulfilling the requirements of the sacrificial system. The washing of the internal organs in Leviticus symbolizes the purity that Jesus embodied, and His sacrifice was the ultimate “aroma pleasing to the Lord.” Through His death and resurrection, Jesus made it possible for us to be cleansed from our sins and to offer our lives as pleasing sacrifices to God.
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
- How does Leviticus 1:9 challenge us to think about the purity and completeness of our worship and devotion to God?
- In what ways can we ensure that our hearts and lives are clean before we come to God in worship?
- How does the idea of a “pleasing aroma” to the Lord inspire us to live lives that are fully dedicated to Him?
- How can we respond to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus by offering ourselves wholly to God in our daily lives?
Leviticus 1:9 invites us to approach God with purity, sincerity, and total commitment. It reminds us of the depth of God’s love and the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who made it possible for us to be wholly pleasing to God. As we reflect on this verse, we are encouraged to live lives that are fully devoted to Him, offering ourselves as living sacrifices in response to His grace.