Regulations for Offerings

Leviticus 7 concludes the discussion on the various offerings introduced in earlier chapters. It provides additional instructions on the guilt offering, the sin offering, and the fellowship offering, focusing on their consumption and handling by the priests and offerers. This chapter emphasizes the sanctity of the offerings and the proper disposition of sacrifices.

Guilt and Sin Offerings

• The Guilt Offering: Detailed instructions clarify the handling and consumption of the guilt offering. This offering, like the sin offering, is most holy. The meat of the offering is to be eaten by the male members of the priestly family in a holy place (Leviticus 7:1-6).
• The Sin Offering: Similarly, the sin offering is to be eaten in a sacred area by the priests who offer it. Special care is given to ensure that anything that touches the offerings becomes holy, highlighting the transfer of holiness and the need for purity (Leviticus 7:7-10).

Fellowship Offerings

• Consumption Rules: Specific rules govern the consumption of the fellowship offerings, including the peace offerings. The fat and blood are strictly prohibited from being eaten, as the fat is burned on the altar and the blood is used for atonement (Leviticus 7:11-27).
• Sharing of the Meat: Instructions specify that the breast of the wave offering and the right thigh, which are parts of the peace offerings, are to be given to the priests. This portioning reflects the communal sharing aspect of the peace offerings, which celebrate thanksgiving and vows (Leviticus 7:28-36).

Theological Significance and Connection to Jesus Christ

Christological Echoes

• Complete Sacrifice: The offerings in Leviticus 7, particularly the emphasis on blood and fat, prefigure Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. His blood provides the ultimate atonement, fulfilling the requirements for purification and sanctification set forth in the Old Testament (Hebrews 9:11-14).
• Christ as the Mediator: The priestly roles in handling the offerings foreshadow Christ’s mediatorial role. As our High Priest, Christ not only presents the offerings but also becomes the offering, facilitating a perfect communion between God and humanity (1 Timothy 2:5).

Divine Love and Its Implications

• Provision for Restoration: The detailed laws about offerings underscore God’s provision for every aspect of life, from unintentional sins to deliberate vows. This comprehensive system shows God’s love and His desire for His people to live in a state of grace and communion.
• Shared Blessings: The rules for sharing the meat from the offerings among the priests and the offerers underscore a community-oriented approach to worship. This sharing reflects God’s love in providing not only for the spiritual but also the physical needs of His community.

Contemporary Relevance

Why Leviticus 7 Still Matters Today

• Holiness and Responsibility: The stringent rules about handling holy things remind believers today about the sacredness of God’s gifts and their responsibility to handle His blessings with reverence and care.
• Community and Worship: The communal elements of the fellowship offerings emphasize the importance of community in worship practices. Modern believers are encouraged to support and share with one another, reflecting the love and generosity taught throughout Scripture.
• Ethical Consumption: The prohibitions against consuming blood and fat, which symbolize life and sin, respectively, can be seen as ethical imperatives to respect life and avoid practices associated with paganism or immorality, relevant in various contemporary ethical discussions.

Leviticus 7 enriches our understanding of the Old Testament sacrificial system, providing insights into God’s requirements for holiness, the role of mediation in worship, and the practical outworking of communal and ethical living, all of which find fulfillment and deeper significance in the life and work of Jesus Christ.