Leviticus 4
The fourth offering addressed in the book of Leviticus is that of the sin offering. The Hebrew word for sin carries with it the idea of missing the mark,[i] and in the case of the LORD’s instructions to Moses in chapter 4, the sin committed by the people (and thus, needing to be atoned for) was an act that violated “any of the LORD’s commandments about things not to be done” (v. 2). No one was exempt from bringing forth an atoning sacrifice, not even the high priest. This is a reminder that all sin and need the grace of God, even those who are entrusted with shepherding the corporate body of Christ.
As you read through Leviticus 4, it should be obvious that the sin offering is but a shadow of the greatest and final sin offering to be offered, of which we know to be in the person of Jesus Christ. Consider the following ways the sin offering points us to a more perfect fulfillment in our Lord and Savior:
· A sinner’s hands were to be laid on the sacrifice (v. 4, 15, 24, 29, 33). Charles Spurgeon says of this act: “This laying of the hand does not appear to have been a mere touch of contact, but in some other places of Scripture has the meaning of leaning heavily…. Surely this is the very essence and nature of faith, which doth not only bring us into contact with the great Substitute, but teaches us to lean upon Him with all the burden of our guilt; so that if our sins be very weighty, yet we see Him as able to bear them all.”[ii]
· Blood had to be spilled for sin to be atoned for. Hebrews 9:11-12 and 22 (emphasis added) states “when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation)he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption…and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.” What can wash away your sins? Nothing but the blood of Jesus!
· The sacrifice was to be spotless and without blemish (v. 3, 23, 28, 32). Paul says of Jesus in 2 Corinthians 5:21 that “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” The sacrifice of Perfection on the Cross was the only means by which all of humanity could be restored to a proper relationship with a holy God.
Matthew Henry summarizes this chapter and its application for us today well when he said:
From all these laws concerning the sin-offerings, we may learn to hate sin, and to watch against it; and to value Christ, the great and true Sin-offering, whose blood cleanses from all sin, which it was not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away. For us to err, with the Bible in our hands, is the effect of pride, sloth, and carelessness. We need to use frequent self-examination, with serious study of the Scriptures, and earnest prayer for the convincing influences of God the Holy Spirit; that we may detect our sins of ignorance, repent, and obtain forgiveness through the blood of Christ.[iii]
Our oldest son was talking to me and some adults the other day and asked us all a poignant question: “What would it be like if Jesus hadn’t been sacrificed?” “We’d be without hope,” “We’d still be dead in our sins,” and “This world would be even darker than it is now” were some of the replies. Aren’t you so thankful for the One who came to fulfill the Law on our behalf so that we can have hope, we can experience an abundant life here and now, and that there is now a segment of this world that shines God’s light?
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Journal responses to the following prompts:
· How did you see Jesus Christ in the description of the sin offerings?
· What would it be like for you if Jesus hadn’t been sacrificed?
[i] ḥāṭā. (n.d.). Blue Letter Bible. Retrieved April 2, 2026, from
https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/h2398/kjv/wlc/0-1/
[ii] The sin offering. (1867, March 10). The Spurgeon Center for Biblical Preaching at Midwestern Seminary. Retrieved April 2, 2026, from
https://www.spurgeon.org/resource-library/sermons/the-sin-offering/#flipbook/
[iii] Leviticus 4 Bible commentary. (n.d.). Christianity.com. Retrieved April 2, 2026, from
https://www.christianity.com/bible/commentary/matthew-henry-concise/leviticus/4