This week’s study section is the beginning of the book called Leviticus. In it we encounter what is commonly referred to as the Levitical Sacrifices or Offerings. Instead of plowing into the “sacrifices” directly, I will attempt to look at this section in a broader context in order to understand the most basic meaning of the section. In addition, I will consider the origin of the word which English translators call sacrifice. This will help us understand the true significance of this section.

Understanding the Biblical Sacrifice

Let us begin with the origin of the word translated as sacrifice. The word in Hebrew is “korban”. Jesus used this word in His teachings to mean something dedicated to God (Mark 7:11). The noun “korban” is formed from the verb “karav” which means “approach”. There are numerous examples of Hebrew nouns formed from a related verb by adding a prefix or a suffix. If we understand “korban” in this way than it means the “approaches” to God. The word “sacrifice” connotes something given to appease an angry god. This is the common pagan understanding of the word. “Approaches” to God carries a totally different meaning and is the meaning that should be understood in this Bible section.

It is also important to understand the book of Leviticus in a broader context than just a set of rules dealing with sacrifices. To do so we will review the development around this text considering the following events:
a. Israel was delivered from bondage in Egypt.
b. Israel encountered the God of their fathers at Mt. Sinai.
c. God cut a covenant with the nation of Israel.
d. Once the covenant was consummated, God commanded that Israel build a house for Him to dwell in.
e. God moved into His house.
f. He gave instructions on how Israel could approach Him (Leviticus).
g. The journey to the promised land continued (Numbers 9).
So when seen in this context we might say that God said to Israel, once He had indwelled His special house, “Y’all come to see Me”. Kentucky jargon may seem somewhat crude and lacking proper reverence for this subject, but I think you get the picture. God is telling Israel how to approach Him. Much of the book also deals with what Israel must not attempt to bring with them as they approach God.

The “approaches” to God may be interpreted as applicable to individual, groups or the whole nation. I will discuss this subject as it pertains to individuals and to local churches. In both cases we properly concern ourselves with the subject of “approaching” God.

One final concept which is dealt with in the book of Leviticus is the subject of “clean” and “unclean”. A person who was ritually “unclean” could not approach God. The question of making someone “unclean” appears to deal primarily with association with anything dead. Jeremiah declared concerning God;

“But the Lord is the true God; He is the living God and the everlasting King.” (Jeremiah 10:10a)

By the term “living God” Jeremiah doesn’t just mean alive. He means possessing the very quality of life. God is the very source of life and has the capacity to transmit that life to others (John 5:26). We as humans only have the life given to us by God Himself; we do not possess life of our own making. At any rate, God appears to be extremely careful not to allow humans to associate death with His name, thus the question of “clean” and “unclean”. It appears as if the only restriction for a person who was ritually “unclean” was that he could not “approach” God. Once he was again declared to be “clean” he was allowed again to “approach” God. In the New Testament, it appears as if “spiritual” defilement is of greater consequence than “ritual” defilement.

To Approach God

One question that is repeatedly asked is,”How do I approach God”? There is always a new experience being set forth as the answer to this quest. Sometimes it is a new “baptism”. At another time it may be experiences with angelic beings. Others maintain that it is accomplished by fasting. However, we are gradually realizing that God has outlined a specific plan of “approach” to His presence. This plan has been set before us in the Scriptures; yet, we have not recognized it. We will outline God’s plan for our approach to Him.

Adam and Eve walked in the presence of God in the garden; approach to God was not a problem. After the transgression, they were sent out of the garden and the approach to God was prevented by the Cherubim. From this time forward, man has sought the answer to the question of how to approach God. One Bible teacher, several years ago proclaimed that we can never understand just how far Adam fell until we begin the return to the presence of God.

Korban

We ought to refer to Levitical offerings and sacrifices as “Levitical Korban”. Each “Korban” ought to be understood as an essential step to be walked out in our approach to God. We must embrace the concept that the steps of “Korban” are based on an orderly, surrendered, consecrated faith-walk rather than a ritual offering which magically confers upon us special position or experience. So rather than appeasing God with some “offering or sacrifice”, these steps of “Korban” represent the Godly empowerment for maturation in salvation that we must experience in order to draw near to God.

Real Life Experiential Approach to God

We will describe the approach to God in the sequence that we experience it. The Book of Leviticus lists each of the five steps of Korban from the perspective of God, i.e. from God out to man. Our experience is just the opposite. We start our approach to God from the position of sin and trespass and proceed through the steps of “Korban” to the “Olah” (unfortunately called the burnt offering).

The first step is the “Ahsham Korban” (also called the guilt or trespass offering). The real life experience associated with this step of approach is becoming aware of, admitting to, dealing with the consequences of, and repenting from sin which has resulted in damage or harm to others. We make repentance toward God and seek His forgiveness. We seek forgiveness of the people hurt, and we make restitution for damages that they have experienced.

The second step of our approach to God is called the “Chatah Korban” (also called the sin offering) and this consists of becoming conscious of and admitting to sin patterns against God. This is accomplished by our repenting from the activity and seeking forgiveness from the Lord. Both the “Ahsham Korban” and the “Chatah Korban” require a blood covering. To accomplish the purpose of this “Korban” we must believe that our sins and transgressions are thoroughly covered and that we are accepted in spite of our record of transgressions. We must believe that even our sorry record of sin can no longer hinder us from approaching God.

The third step of our approach is the “Shelamim Korban” (also called the peace offering) which deals with our communion with God. We surrender ourselves in praise and worship as we glorify His name. We experience His presence and, therefore, His peace. We come to the point that experiencing the presence of God is not an exceptional experience, i.e. we are “at home” in His presence.

The fourth step is the “Menchah Korban” (also called the meal or grain offering) which consists of making a “gift” of our time, talents and possessions to God. This step constitutes dedicated service unto the Lord. Jesus confessed,

“My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to accomplish His work” (John 4:34b).

This reflects the “Menchah or Gift Korban”. Paul likewise exhorted the Roman church to

“…present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice (Korban), acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship” (Romans 12:1b).

The final step is the “Olah Korban” (also called the burnt offering) which signifies utter and complete dedication to the Lord. In this state of approach we “go up” (as Olah implies). We think of Elijah the prophet during the era of the Kings and Enoch in the pre-flood era in association with this “Korban”. They literally “went up” to God.

In the next study I will relate how true Christian worship and real discipleship serve a believer in the steps of “Korban”. These steps are not accomplished in a week-end seminar but rather in a disciplined walk throughout the lifetime of the believer. Since the “rapture teaching” is very popular with Christians, the “Olah Korban” ought to be of particular interest.

May the peace of the Holy One be upon you and may you experience a fruitful week. Shalom.

The first thing that God commanded Israel once the covenant had been consummated was:

“And let them construct a sanctuary for Me, that I may dwell among them,.. (Exodus 25:8)

Later He declared that He had brought Israel out of Egypt for this purpose (Exodus 29:45-46). Moses was given the specifications for God’s house. A free-will offering was taken to assemble the construction materials and Moses chose skilled workers to construct it. Finally, after several months of work, the house was completed. It was erected and dedicated on the first day of the first month of the second year of Israel’s journey. When it was dedicated, God’s Glory filled the tabernacle.

“Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. And Moses was not able to enter the tent of meeting because the cloud had settled on it, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.” (Exodus 40:34-35)

Approximately 480 years later, King Solomon built the First Temple in Jerusalem. King David received the specifications for this Temple and assembled the construction materials. Solomon was the construction engineer. After completed and dedicated, God’s Glory filled the First Temple.

“Now when Solomon had finished praying, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices, and the glory of the Lord filled the house. The priests could not enter into the house of the Lord because the glory of the Lord filled the Lord’s house. All the sons of Israel, seeing the fire come down and the glory of the Lord upon the house, bowed down on the pavement with their faces to the ground, and they worshiped and gave praise to the Lord, saying, “Truly He is good, truly His lovingkindness is everlasting.” (2 Chronicles 7:1-3)

Eventually, God’s people were judged for their unfaithfulness and were taken into exile. The king was deposed, the people dispersed and the First Temple destroyed. Later, a remnant of the people returned to Jerusalem and built the Second Temple. There is no indication that God’s glory filled the Second Temple which was itself destroyed by the Romans in 70 AD/CE. Because the Second Temple was not inhabited by God, I refer to it as a Jewish shrine. It was built as a result of God’s command (See Haggai and Zechariah) but God never inhabited it.

In the New Testament, entities like the Tabernacle and the Priesthood are seen as “shadows” of heavenly things.

“..who serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things, just as Moses was warned by God when he was about to erect the tabernacle; for, “SEE,” He says, “THAT YOU MAKE all things ACCORDING TO THE PATTERN WHICH WAS SHOWN YOU ON THE MOUNTAIN,…” (Hebrews 8:5) (Emphasis by the NAS Bible)

It is evident that Jesus and the early Church saw themselves as a Temple for God. Jesus proclaimed this (John 2:19-21). Paul set forth the same concept (Ephesians 2:19-22). Peter declared the same thing (I Peter 2:4-5). John described the same vision (Revelation 3:12). They saw themselves as the continuation of the Temple pattern. As opposed to a temple made of stone, wood and precious metals, they saw themselves as a “living temple” being built for God. Indeed, Messiah Jesus is building a temple for God’s indwelling (2Samuel 7:13) in accordance to the promise made by God to King David.

Institutional Christianity has almost totally lost track of this truth. The question is asked, “If Jesus is building a temple for God, when did the glory of the Lord fill it in a manner similar to that of the Tabernacle and the First Temple? In order to answer this question, we must take into account events that have already happened and those which remain to be fulfilled. The first step taken was when the Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus at His baptism (Luke 3:21). The second step was accomplished on the day of Pentecost when the disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:1-4). They became “living stones” as they were filled with the Holy Spirit. Since that time a host of other believers have been made into “living stones” by the same process. Yet, the whole building has not yet been assembled. Jesus declared that when He returns, He will come “on the clouds of the sky with power and great glory” (Matthew 24:29-31). His arrival will be accompanied by angels sounding the “Great Trumpet”. At the sounding of the “Great Trumpet” or “Last Trumpet”, believers will be changed into His likeness (1 Corinthians 15:51-52) and gathered from the four winds to Jerusalem. The “Living Temple” will be assembled and filled with the Glory of God as Jesus descends upon it. Hence, the “Living Temple” will have been built and God will have indwelled it.

We are living in the age when God is gathering the people of Israel back to their land. At some point in this process, God will gather in also the “Living Temple”. At that time the words of Jeremiah the prophet will be fulfilled;

“It shall be in those days when you are multiplied and increased in the land, declares the Lord, “they will no longer say, “The ark of the covenant of the Lord.” And it will not come to mind, nor will they remember it, nor will they miss it, nor will it be made again. “At that time they will call Jerusalem “The Throne of the Lord,” and all the nations will be gathered to it, to Jerusalem, for the name of the Lord; nor will they walk anymore after the stubbornness of their evil heart.” In those days the house of Judah will walk with the house of Israel, and they will come together from the land of the north to the land that I gave your fathers as an inheritance.” (Jeremiah 3:16-18)

“They” said that God would never gather in the people of Israel to their land. “They” were wrong! “They” say that God will never gather His church into one place at the climax of the age to form a great “Living Temple” in Jerusalem. I say “they” are wrong again. What do you say?

In this section of the Bible the most powerful manifestation of God to this date is recorded. Nothing in history compares to it, however, I believe that it is prophetic of an even greater manifestation in the future.

The timing of Israel’s encounter with God will define the second of the Biblical festivals, i.e., Shavuot (described in Leviticus 23). Israel arrived at Mt. Sinai on the first day of the third month (about 42 days after the Exodus from Egypt). After a few days (we will assume 7 days total) God descended onto the mountain and a covenant was made between God and the nation of Israel. The exact timing is not specified but after their arrival, there was a three day purification period. Later the festival of Shavuot is specified to occur on the 50th day following the Shabbat after Passover. I therefore arrive at the speculation that an additional 4 days were spent at Mt. Sinai after their arrival before God initiated the covenant.

The manifestation of God on the mountain must have been awesome. Israel was terrified at what they were experiencing. A great cloud hovered over the mountain. Lighting flashes broke forth from the cloud with attending thunder. The earth shook with a great earthquake. Smoke ascended from the fiery presence of the Lord on the mountain. Finally, there was the sound of a great “trumpet” which grew louder and louder. Before speaking to the assembled people, God called Moses up on the mountain and warned him concerning any of the people attempting to ascend the mountain to approach God. Later, (the book of Leviticus) a detail method for approaching God is revealed.

There are many theories concerning the sound coming from the mountain. The Bible simply stated that they heard “a voice of a very, strong shofar”. This is translated as a “trumpet” in some versions. This is the first time that this particular sound is mentioned in the Bible. I believe that it was the sound of God’s awesome presence interacting with the atmosphere of the “Space-Time Continuum”. At any rate, we could rightly call this the sounding of the “First Trumpet”. I want to introduce this thought because the Messianic Scriptures speak of the “Last Trumpet”. It is associated with the coming of the Lord and the establishment of the Kingdom of God on earth. Jesus spoke of this phenomenon:

“But immediately after the tribulation of those days THE SUN WILL BE DARKENED, AND THE MOON WILL NOT GIVE ITS LIGHT, THE STARS WILL FALL from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. “And then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the SON OF MAN COMING ON THE CLOUDS OF THE SKY with power and great glory. “And He will send forth His angels with A GREAT TRUMPET and THEY WILL GATHER TOGETHER His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other.” (Matthew 24:29-31 NASB with NASB emphasis added)

This is the “Last Trump” or the “Great Trumpet” which is sounded at the coming of the Lord and our gathering together unto Him (2 Thessalonians 2:1). I maintain that the same phenomenon that was witnessed on Mt. Sinai will be witnessed at the coming of the Lord. The awesome power of God will strike fear in the hearts of all mankind just as it did to the Israelis at Mt. Sinai. Therefore the Bible prophesies that:

“So that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippines 2:10-11)

There is one additional thought that I want to set forth from this section. God spoke what we call the “ten commandments” in such a way that every Israeli heard His voice. Some believe that God spoke with a great booming voice from the summit of the mountain. I believe that the Bible gives us insight into what really happened that day. Several hundred years later, the prophet Elijah found himself at Mt. Sinai waiting to hear from the Lord. The same phenomena occurred as described in the Exodus account. However, God was not in any of these things. Finally, God spoke to Elijah in a “silent, small voice”. (I Kings 19:12) This is the voice of the Holy Spirit who guides every born-again, Son of God.

“For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.” (Romans 8:14)

There are many more subjects that I could address from this section of the Bible but that will have to wait for another season. Shalom, may the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob grant you peace in the week to come.