The Burnt Offering – Consecration (Lev. 1.1-17)
The burnt offering is a picture of total consecration. The fact that the offering was burned, meaning fully consumed, teaches us that it represents dedication to God. Will we be entirely dedicated to God? Will we surrender our wills to Him? We won’t understand His specific will in detail until we first submit to His overall will. Are we dedicated Christians? The Apostle Paul expressed it well in Romans 12:1-2: “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Presenting the body must come before understanding His will. Are we presented in a way that allows us to be proven?
The burnt offering was introduced early into Israel’s religious practices. This offering was to be made every morning and evening. It served as a continual sacrifice, burning all night (Exo . 29:38-42; Num.. 28:3-8; Lev. 6:9). As you recall, the burnt offering was completely consumed, symbolizing total dedication of one’s life to the Lord. Since it was a repeated, ongoing offering, it reminds us of the need to dedicate our lives in complete service to the Lord continually.
The instructions for making a burnt offering mention three types of animals that can be used: the bullock from the herd, the lamb or goat from the flock, and the turtle-dove or pigeon from among the birds. Since all these offerings symbolize Christ, each of these animals will represent Christ, who, in turn, is a symbol or example for us.
- The BULLOCK – a SERVANT
The first animal suitable for the burnt offering is the bullock or ox from the herd. The bullock or ox is a beast of burden and a humble servant. Christ was undoubtedly the servant of Jehovah who submitted to God’s will and went to the cross to die the sinner’s death. His entire life was dedicated to service. The Gospel writer, Mark, told us that Jesus came not to be served, but to serve (Mk.10:45). The world’s philosophy is to seek service from others. However, the peak of perfection is service itself. A business that focuses on serving others will succeed in pleasing its customers.
Christ is our example. Submission to God’s will involves serving others. Service requires a servant’s heart. Paul told us to, “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross” (Phil.2:5-8). We are not consecrated to God because we do not want to serve. Everybody wants to be the boss. Everyone wants to do their own thing. No one wants to be told what to do. We must offer ourselves on the altar of burnt sacrifice if we want to be true worshipers of God.
2. The LAMB or GOAT – a SUBSTITUTE
The second animal that can be used in the burnt offering is the lamb or goat, something from the flock. The Lord Jesus Christ, of course, is the Lamb of God (John 1:29; Rev.5:6). He was the perfect sacrifice. The lamb or goat chosen from the flock had to be a male without blemish. The Lord Jesus Christ had no blemish in His body. He was without sin, so He could have no flaws.
From the very beginning of the sacrificial system, the lamb was used as a substitute. When Cain failed to bring the prescribed offering, God gave him another chance and provided a sin offering at the door if he would do right (Gen.4:7). This probably indicates that God had a lamb ready at Cain’s door to be offered in his place if he accepted it. When God told Abraham to offer his son Isaac on the altar, he stopped him just before he slayed his son and provided a substitute in the ram caught in the thicket. Jesus Christ became the ultimate substitute for you and me. We rightly should have died for our own sin, but Jesus took our place. He became our substitute. He died for us. He was the perfect substitute; therefore, He is THE Lamb of God. “Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed” (Isa.53:4-5).
In the Old Testament (OT) sacrificial system, a goat was used on the Day of Atonement to symbolize the removal of sin. Two goats were selected; one was slain, and the other served as a substitute. The priest would place his hands on the head of the live goat as a gesture of identification. The live goat, in effect, bore the sins of the nation and was released into the wilderness, symbolizing the removal of those sins. In one act, Jesus Christ died for our sins and rose again to carry our sins as far away as the east is from the west. Just as the goat was a substitute for the people on the Day of Atonement, so the Lord Jesus Christ was our substitute when He died on Calvary’s cross.
We cannot substitute for another person. Jesus is the only one who can take their sin as the sin-bearer. However, we can be reconcilers of people to Christ. We can stand in his place and warn them of a coming hell. Indeed, we are Christ’s substitutes, as he has returned to heaven. He gave us a great commission to win the world for Christ—to preach the gospel to all the nations. How are you substituting for Christ today? A substitute teacher stands in for the regular teacher. She has all the assignments and authority of the regular teacher. Jesus said, “All authority is given unto me … Go ye therefore …” (Mat 28:18-19). He expects us to go in his power, strength, ability, and authority to preach the gospel to a lost and dying world. How much substitution have you done this week? You see, we are not as consecrated as we should be.
3. The TURTLE-DOVE or PIGEON – a SACRIFICE
The third animal that could be used in the burnt offering was the turtle dove or pigeon. We are told this was the animal for the poor people. If someone could not afford to buy or own cattle or sheep, they could bring a turtle dove or pigeon. The larger offering was not for greater sins. You see, Jesus Christ died and atoned for the sin of the whole world, whether rich or poor, young or old, grave sinner or moderate sinner. “The ground is level at the foot of the cross.” The way of sacrifice could not be blocked to anyone. Everyone must be able to come freely.
You will notice that each of these offerings was an offering made by fire, of a sweet aroma unto the Lord (9, 13, 17). The Bible tells us that at the Judgment Seat of Christ, every man shall be tried by fire. The Christian’s works of wood, hay, and stubble will be burned up. As we labor for Christ, our energy is burned up. I wonder how we smell before the Lord God Almighty. Is there a sweet aroma of consecration emanating from your life that reaches the nostrils of the Almighty? The twenty-four elders in the Book of Revelation will be carrying vials full of the saints’ prayers for the purpose of burning incense before the Lord. How do your prayers smell? Are they full of the sweet aroma of consecration? Or, is it, “Lord, give me this and give me that”? The offering of the body in dedicated service to the Master will truly be a sacrifice. Romans tell us that this sacrificial presentation is a reasonable service. After all Christ has done for us, how can we not serve Him wholeheartedly? If we are truly consecrated to Christ, our lives would be a sacrifice. (LEH)