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Scripture Reading    : Lev 4

Theme                        : The Sin Offering

The sin offering atoned for sins committed unknowingly where restitution was impossible. This was a required sacrifice, as was the guilt offering (5:14–6:7). These includes unintentional sins of commission (4:1–35) and unintentional sins of omission (5:1–13). Leviticus 4:1–35 indicates the person committing the sin: a) the High-Priest (vv. 3–12); b) the congregation (vv. 13–21); c) a leader (vv. 22–26); and d) an individual (vv. 27–35). Leviticus 5:1–13 unfolds according to the animal sacrificed: a) lamb/goat (vv. 1–6); b) bird (vv. 7–10); and c) flour (vv. 11–13).

Ignorance is no excuse in God’s sight! Once we know that we have sinned, we must come to God for forgiveness. Jesus Christ was the sin offering for the whole world, including ignorant Israel (Luke 23:34; Acts 3:17). Our Lord’s prayer on Calvary did not automatically forgive their sins because the people did not repent; but it did postpone the outpouring of God’s wrath for nearly forty years.

The priest’s sacrifice was the same as that of the whole congregation (vv. 3, 14), for the higher the privilege, the greater the responsibility (Luke 12:48). But when the offerings were brought by faith, God promised to forgive (vv. 20, 26, 31, 35). Of course, the final and complete atonement was wrought by Jesus Christ on the cross (Heb. 10:1–14).

When we sin, it affects our prayer life. This is why the priest had to cleanse the golden altar (v. 7). (See Ps. 66:18.)

Praying the Scripture

1. When Israelites sin, they shall kill a bull and the blood of the bull shall be sprinkled seven times before the LORD in front of the veil. And he shall put some of the blood on the horns of the altar and the rest shall be poured out at the base of the altar of burnt offering that lies at the entrance of the tent of meeting (Lev 4:15-18). Can you imagine how it smells like when you enter the tent? It will be bloody. How will you feel when entering the tent?
2. Hebrews 10:4 said, “For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. (Heb 10:4) It is the blood of Jesus Christ that wipes clean our sins. Jesus literally died for us so that we can be wiped clean. As we enter the tent, the bloody smell reminds us our sins as well as Jesus’ sacrifice. Let’s pray that we will not take sin lightly.

经文：利4章

主题：赎罪祭

赎罪祭是人在耶和华所吩咐不可行的事上误犯了一件，或是受膏的祭司犯罪，使百姓陷在罪里的赎罪祭。这是一个必要献上的祭，就如赎愆祭一样（5:14-6:7）。这些包括无意所犯的罪行，（4:1-35）和无意疏忽之行的罪（5:1-13）。利未记4:1-35说明了这些犯罪的人包括：1）受膏的祭司（3-12节）；2）会众（13-21节）；3）官长（22-26节）和4）个人（27-35节）。利未记5:1-13也说明了所需的祭牲：1）山羊/羊羔（1-6节）；2）鸟（7-10节），和3）面粉（11-13节）。

无知对神而言不是借口！一旦我们知道自己犯了罪，我们必须来到神面前恳求宽恕。耶稣基督是全地的赎罪祭，包括无知的以色列人（路23:34；徒3:17）。我们主在各各他山的祷告并不会自动赦免他们的罪，因为他们尚未悔改；但这祷告却将神愤怒的审判延后近四十年。

祭司所献的祭与会众相同（3，14节），因为尊荣越高，责任更深（路12:48）。但只要是凭信心献上的祭，神应许祂必赦免（20，26，31，35节）。当然，最后的赎罪祭，也是永远完全的赎罪祭，是由基督在十字架上完成的（希10:1-14）。

当我们犯罪的时候，罪影响我们的祷告生命。这就是为什么祭司必须清洗金坛（7节）。 （参诗66:18）。