Leviticus 14:20 – “and sacrifice the burnt offering and the grain offering on the altar. The priest shall make atonement for them, and they will be clean.”
Extended Explanation
Leviticus 14:20 concludes the ritual process for someone who has been healed from a skin disease and is seeking to be declared clean. In this verse, the priest is instructed to offer a burnt offering and a grain offering on the altar. These offerings are a final step in making atonement for the person, resulting in their complete cleansing before God. The burnt offering symbolizes total dedication to God, as it was entirely consumed by fire, while the grain offering represents gratitude and commitment to God’s provision. Together, these offerings signify a full restoration of the individual’s relationship with God and the community.
Historical Context
In ancient Israel, sacrifices and offerings were central to worship and to maintaining a relationship with God. The process of being declared clean after a disease involved several steps, each rich with symbolic meaning. The burnt offering was one of the most significant sacrifices, symbolizing a person’s complete surrender to God. The grain offering, often brought alongside the burnt offering, expressed thankfulness and reliance on God. These rituals took place at the Tabernacle, the sacred meeting place where God’s presence was manifested among His people. The priest’s role in this process was vital because he acted as a mediator, ensuring that the person was fully restored according to God’s laws.
Theological Implications
Theologically, Leviticus 14:20 shows that restoration to God requires a complete offering—both of oneself (symbolized by the burnt offering) and of one’s gratitude and resources (symbolized by the grain offering). This verse emphasizes that being cleansed by God involves more than just a ritual; it requires a heart of dedication and thanksgiving. The act of making atonement reflects the truth that reconciliation with God is a deep spiritual need that goes beyond physical healing. It also points to the necessity of an intermediary—in this case, the priest—to offer the sacrifices on behalf of the person, foreshadowing the ultimate role of Christ as our mediator.
Literary Analysis
Leviticus 14:20 is part of a carefully structured set of instructions within the book of Leviticus. The language is precise, underscoring the seriousness with which God views sin, impurity, and the process of being restored to Him. The use of terms like “burnt offering” and “grain offering” evokes a sense of totality—everything is offered to God, both in terms of dedication and thanksgiving. The repetition of the priest’s actions, “make atonement for them,” emphasizes that the cleansing process is not complete until atonement has been made and the individual is declared clean.
Relevant Biblical Cross-References
- Leviticus 1:3-4: Describes the burnt offering and its purpose for making atonement, highlighting its role in expressing total dedication to God.
- Leviticus 2:1-3: Discusses the grain offering as a gift of gratitude and recognition of God’s provision, often brought alongside the burnt offering.
- Hebrews 10:1-4: These verses explain that the law’s sacrifices were only a shadow of the good things to come, pointing to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian
For Christians today, Leviticus 14:20 serves as a reminder that being made right with God involves more than just asking for forgiveness; it also involves a commitment to live a life fully dedicated to Him. The offerings of the burnt and grain sacrifices symbolize a heart that is both surrendered to God and thankful for His provision. This verse encourages believers to consider their own dedication and thankfulness toward God. Are we offering our lives fully to Him, holding nothing back, and living with a spirit of gratitude?
How This Verse Relates to a Loving God
Leviticus 14:20 reflects God’s love in providing a clear way for His people to be cleansed and restored to fellowship with Him. God’s instructions for burnt and grain offerings show that He desires not only to forgive but also to see His people live lives of full dedication and thankfulness. His love is evident in His desire to make a way for people to come back into His presence, fully restored and ready to worship Him with all their hearts. This verse shows that God’s cleansing is thorough and encompasses every aspect of a person’s life.
How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ
This verse connects to the ultimate work of Jesus Christ, who became the perfect sacrifice for our sins. Just as the burnt offering represented complete dedication to God and the grain offering symbolized thankfulness, Jesus embodies both—He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world (John 1:29) and our bread of life (John 6:35). Hebrews 10:10 states that “we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” In Christ, we see both the atonement for our sins and the fulfillment of our need for spiritual sustenance and dedication.
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
- What does the offering of both the burnt and grain offerings teach us about the completeness of our dedication to God?
- How can we ensure that our own lives are offered fully to God, both in dedication and in thankfulness?
- In what ways does this verse reveal God’s desire for His people to be fully restored and wholly committed to Him?
- How does understanding the Old Testament sacrifices help us appreciate the complete and final sacrifice of Jesus Christ for our sins?