Read the Daily Bible Verse – Leviticus 7:38 To Strengthen Your Spiritual Journey.
The book of Leviticus, often seen as a collection of laws and rituals, can be challenging to understand for modern readers. However, it is an important part of the Bible, offering insight into God’s holiness, His expectations for His people, and the sacredness of worship. One verse that can be perplexing but offers significant meaning for both the ancient Israelites and contemporary believers is Leviticus 7:38. To comprehend this verse, it is important to examine its context, its direct meaning, and its application in our lives today.
In this article, we will explore the context of Leviticus 7:38, dive into the meaning of the verse itself, discuss its application for us as Christians, and conclude by summarizing the importance of this verse in the broader narrative of the Bible.
The Context of Leviticus 7:38 KJV
To understand Leviticus 7:38, we must first look at the larger context of the book of Leviticus. This book is part of the Torah, the first five books of the Old Testament, and contains the laws and instructions that God gave to the Israelites. It is particularly focused on holiness, rituals, and the proper way to approach worship and sacrifice. Leviticus serves as a guide to ensure that the people of Israel remain set apart and maintain a proper relationship with God.
The Role of Sacrifices in Leviticus
A major theme in Leviticus is the role of sacrifices in the life of the Israelites. These sacrifices were essential in maintaining fellowship with God. They were acts of worship that signified the people’s obedience and acknowledgment of God’s holiness. Different types of offerings are described throughout Leviticus, including burnt offerings, grain offerings, peace offerings, and sin offerings. Each had its specific purpose in the atonement of sins, expressing gratitude, or fostering peace between God and His people.
By the time we reach Leviticus 7, the focus is primarily on the peace offering (also called the fellowship offering). In these rituals, the offerer could bring an animal from their flock as an offering to God, and after the sacrifice, they would share a portion of the meat with the priests and other people in the community. This was a significant way for the people to express their gratitude and fellowship with God.
The Priests’ Role in the Sacrifices
The priests were the intermediaries between God and the people. They carried out the sacrificial rituals and served as the ones who offered the sacrifices on behalf of the people. The priests’ duties were integral to the maintenance of Israel’s relationship with God, and their livelihood was largely sustained by the offerings made by the people. In this context, Leviticus 7:38 comes at the end of a set of instructions detailing the offerings, particularly the portion that would be given to the priests.
Leviticus 7:35-37 – Background to Verse 38
In the preceding verses (Leviticus 7:35-37), God gives specific instructions about the portions of the peace offering that are to be given to the priests and their families. These portions include parts of the animal, such as the breast and the thigh, which were to be shared between the priesthood. The people were expected to bring these offerings as a way of honoring the Lord and providing for those who served in the temple.
Leviticus 7:38 serves as a summary and conclusion of the instructions regarding the offerings, especially the peace offerings. It stresses the perpetuity of the laws governing the sacrifices and the roles of the priests in these rituals.
Leviticus 7:38 (KJV)
“This is the law of the burnt offering, of the meat offering, and of the sin offering, and of the trespass offering, and of the consecrations, and of the sacrifice of the peace offerings, which the Lord commanded Moses in mount Sinai, in the day that he commanded the children of Israel to offer their oblations unto the Lord, in the wilderness of Sinai.” — Leviticus 7:38 KJV
Breaking Down the Verse
“This is the law”: This phrase indicates that the instructions following this statement are part of the established divine law. They were not optional but were commandments that the Israelites were required to follow.
“of the burnt offering, of the meat offering, and of the sin offering, and of the trespass offering”: These were some of the key offerings prescribed in Leviticus. Each type of offering had a different purpose:
Burnt Offering: Atonement for sin, dedication, and total surrender to God.
Meat (Grain) Offering: Thanksgiving and gratitude to God, often paired with other offerings.
Sin Offering: A sacrifice for unintentional sins or for purification.
Trespass Offering: A sacrifice made for sins committed against God or others, typically involving restitution.
“and of the consecrations, and of the sacrifice of the peace offerings”: These refer to the offerings related to consecration (setting something or someone apart for God’s service) and the peace offering (a celebration of fellowship and thanksgiving).
“which the Lord commanded Moses in mount Sinai”: This phrase emphasizes the origin of these instructions. God Himself gave these laws to Moses on Mount Sinai, highlighting their divine authority and the fact that they were part of the covenant between God and Israel.
“in the day that he commanded the children of Israel to offer their oblations unto the Lord, in the wilderness of Sinai”: This situates the commandments in the historical context of the Israelites’ journey through the wilderness after their exodus from Egypt. These laws were given during their time in the wilderness, where God was establishing His covenant with His people.
Leviticus 7:38 Meaning
Summary of the Offerings
Leviticus 7:38 serves as a summary of the various offerings and their significance in the life of the Israelites. The offerings were a means by which the people of Israel could maintain a relationship with God, seek atonement for their sins, express gratitude, and live in peace with God and one another.
The law here highlights that all these offerings were to be performed according to God’s command. The offerings were not to be altered or treated casually. They were sacred, and the people were required to approach them with reverence, recognizing that God was the one who had instituted them.
The Perpetuity of the Law
By including the phrase “which the Lord commanded Moses in mount Sinai,” Leviticus 7:38 also emphasizes the eternal nature of these laws. The laws were given for all generations of Israelites, and this was not a temporary arrangement. God’s standards of holiness and worship were to remain constant.
This eternal nature of the laws serves as a reminder that God’s commands are not bound by time or circumstance. While the specific rituals of the Old Covenant no longer apply in the same way under the New Covenant (through Jesus Christ), the principles behind the offerings—such as sacrifice, atonement, and dedication to God—continue to be important.
The Importance of Worship and Sacrifice
At its core, Leviticus 7:38 reinforces the centrality of worship in the life of God’s people. Worshiping God through sacrifice was a means of recognizing His sovereignty and holiness. It was also a way of keeping God at the center of the life of the community. These offerings were not only a way for the people to ask for forgiveness but also a way to celebrate God’s goodness and provisions.
For the Israelites, these offerings were a necessary part of their covenant relationship with God. They symbolized the need for atonement, reconciliation, and communion with God. In the New Testament, these themes are fulfilled in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who made the ultimate atonement for sin once and for all.
Leviticus 7:38 Application in Life
Understanding God’s Holiness
For modern Christians, Leviticus 7:38 serves as a reminder of the importance of holiness in worship. While we no longer offer animal sacrifices, we are still called to offer our lives as a living sacrifice (Romans 12:1). This means that our worship is not just limited to Sunday services or ritualistic acts; it is expressed in every aspect of our lives.
As believers, we should recognize that the holiness of God demands reverence in all that we do, from our daily actions to our interactions with others. Just as the Israelites had to approach their offerings with reverence, we are called to offer our lives to God in humility, gratitude, and submission.
The Perpetuity of God’s Commands
The emphasis in Leviticus 7:38 on the perpetual nature of these laws reminds us that God’s principles are eternal. Even though the specific Old Testament laws do not apply directly to us, the foundational principles of obedience, sacrifice, and holiness remain.
As Christians, we are called to live in obedience to the teachings of Scripture and to follow the example of Jesus Christ, who perfectly fulfilled the law. Understanding that God’s commands are not temporary helps us recognize the seriousness with which we should approach our relationship with Him.
Worship as a Whole-Life Sacrifice
Finally, Leviticus 7:38 points to the fact that worship is not just about specific rituals but is meant to encompass our entire lives. As Christians, we are called to live in a spirit of worship every day. Whether in our work, relationships, or service to others, everything we do should be done as an offering to God.
Conclusion
Leviticus 7:38 provides us with a rich understanding of the significance of offerings and sacrifices in the Old Testament and underscores the continuing importance of holiness and obedience in the life of God’s people. While we are no longer under the Old Covenant, this verse serves as a powerful reminder of the eternal principles behind the rituals and the call for God’s people to live in worship and reverence before Him.
In a world where many things are transient, we can find comfort in knowing that God’s commands remain unchanged and that our worship—just like the offerings of the Israelites—is an essential part of our relationship with Him.
Related Topics:
- What Does Leviticus 7:37 Mean?
- Leviticus 7:36 Meaning, Context & Commentary
- What Does Leviticus 7:35 Mean?