Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary

LEVITICUS- CHAPTER SIX

Verses 1-7:

In the Hebrew text these seven verses are included in Chapter Five. This text is a listing of cases of moral offenses which demand a Trespass Offering.

The text teaches that it is a trespass against the Lord for one to steal from his neighbor, to lie to him, or to deal falsely with him in any way. This is an expansion of earlier legislation on the subject of that which one holds in trust for another, Ex 22:7-13.

The Law required that if an Israelite saw any stray livestock belonging to the his neighbor, he must bring the animal to his own house, and care for it as his own, until the neighbor searched for it. He then must restore the animal to his neighbor, De 22:2, 3. In the event a legal problem should arise over the ownership of the animal, there must be an "oath of the Lord" between the two parties. One who swore falsely was guilty of trespass (sin) against God, because he had sworn an oath in the Name of God. He must offer a Trespass Offering in expiation for his sin.

Any profit made by violence or by fraud must be given up. A fine was imposed; 20% of the fair retail value of the thing appropriated. This restitution must be made the same day the trespass occurred, and before the Trespass Offering would be accepted.

Verses 8-13:

This text begins a supplement section which continues through Le 7:38, of additional instructions concerning the rituals of the offerings provided for in Le 1:1 - 6:7.

Verses 8-13 give additional instructions directed to the priests, concerning the Burnt Offering. They provide that this offering was to be a daily affair, see Ex 29:40, as he officiated at the altar. But as he left the tabernacle courtyard, he was to change his garments, to carry the ashes outside the camp as the regulations required.

The fire on the altar was to be kept burning perpetually. This was symbolic of God’s presence among and communion with His people.

Verses 14-18:

This supplement to the instructions regarding the Meat Offering specify that the greater portion was to be given to the priests. They and the males of their families were to eat of it without the addition of any leavening agent.

Another provision not stated in the previous instructions: not only was the bread of the Meat Offering holy, but all who partook of it were also holy unto the Lord. This pictures the status of God’s ser­vant today, who is made holy by virtue of the service he renders to the Lord.

"Holy" means "set apart, for a specific purpose or person." The person or thing made holy was set apart or reserve for the Lord’s exclusive use. God’s child today is "holy," set apart for His exclusive use, 1Co 6:19, 20; Ro 12:1, 2.

Verses 19-23:

This text instructs concerning the Meat Offering at the invest­ment of the high priest. This was to apply both to Aaron and to his successors.

This Meat Offering consisted of cooked bread, made from one-tenth of an ephah of flour (about three pints). Half was to be burned as an offering in the morning, and half at the evening sacrifice.

"Perpetual" does not mean that this was to be a daily ritual. The text implies that it was to be offered on the day of the consecration of the high priest, in perpetuity, so long as the Aaronic lineage continued.

No part of this Meat Offering could be eaten; it must all be burnt.

Verses 24-30:

This text gives additional details concerning the Sin Offering, see chapter 4:2. Portions of this offering were to be eaten by the officiating priest and the males of his family, within the precincts of the tabernacle courtyard, with the exception of the Sin Offering made by the high priest, and by the congregation. This was to be burned in its entirety.

The holiness of the blood of the Sin Offering is evident in the reverence accorded to the garment stained by it, and the vessels containing it. The garment was to be carefully washed, in the tabernacle court. An earthen vessel holding the blood was to be broken, made unfit for other use. A brazen (copper) vessel was to be scoured and thoroughly rinsed.

This is typical of the holiness of the blood of Christ, the true Sin Offering, 1Pe 1:19.