Leviticus 9:11 And the flesh and the hide he burnt with fire without the camp. (KJV)

Hebrew 13: ¹⁰ We have an altar from which those who serve the tabernacle have no right to eat. ¹¹ For the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the Holy Place by the high priest as an offering for sin are burned outside the camp. ¹² Therefore Jesus also suffered outside the gate, that He might sanctify the people through His own blood. ¹³ So then, let us go out to Him outside the camp, bearing His reproach. ¹⁴ For here we do not have a lasting city, but we are seeking the city which is to come. (NASB from BibleGateway)

Truth be told Leviticus and the sacrifices and offerings have always been intimidating for me, but New Year, new victories. As a Christian, I know Jesus fulfilled the requirements of the Law when He died on that Roman cross. So, these offerings are not for us, but they can still reveal God-truths, point to Jesus, and explain things that happen during that Passover festival when He died. Just to add some knowledge to this post:

• Zechariah, John’s father, had incense behind the curtain, not blood, because the Day of Atonement offerings could not be done since there was no Ark of the Covenant with the Mercy Seat. It disappeared when Jerusalem fell to Babylon.
• Jews have not been able to sacrifice for the last 1900 years because there is not a Temple and altar.
• Like the Passover lamb, most sacrifices were to be eaten. See 1 Samuel 1 and 2. Yes, the priests and Levities got to eat some of the meat and grain offerings, but so did the people.

Leviticus 9 is all about seven offerings, so the glory of the Lord would come to His people. One point that stood out to me was the priest and elders laid their hands on the BULL for this offering. Jesus had hands laid on Him also, at the trial the Sanhedrin hit Jesus, and the Romains also beat Him before making Him carry His cross.

Chapters 8, 9, and 10 are narratives of “real time” events; Chapters 16 and 24 are like this also. If you follow the timeline, Exodus ends at the first day of the first month of the second year, remember Passover is in this month. Numbers begins at the first day of second month of the second year, there is a “second chance” Passover observance in this month. Chapters 8 and 9 describe the ordination of Aaron and his four sons, followed by the “first church service” at the Tabernacle. Chapter 10, the death of Aaron’s oldest sons, and Chapter 16, and the rules for The Day of Atonement, must have happened pretty quick. Chapter 24 is a “real time” call for clear oil for the lamps in the Tabernacle and the death of a blasphemer. It seems like that was a busy month. By the end of the second year, the spies have been sent out (Numbers 13, 14), Miriam and Aaron oppose Moses, and several other important events happened. For a reference, Numbers 20 to 36 take place after the years of wandering just before they are going into the Land.

My big question about Leviticus is why did God insert those laws where He did? I am supposing that they reflect something that may have been going on in the camp.   

Leviticus 9 – The “church building” has been made, the priests have been ordained, and now it is time for God to enter and show His approval. (Compare this with 2 Chronicles 2 – 7, and Jesus returning to heaven in Acts 1 and the things He did in Hebrews.) He does that by burning up the offering with fire coming out of His Cloud/Presence. It was a “new start” for the Children at the beginning of their new year.

After a lot of pages were turned and studies done that covered fat, liver coverings, outside of camp, and the types of sacrifices and offerings, it all come back to God wanted to show His glory to His people. Seven different animals and a grain offering were presented and parts of those had to be burned outside the camp. Sins had to be confessed and transferred to those animals and Aaron had to go into a tent before he could bless the people and have the glory and power of God approve the offering. I hope you can see Passover, Easter, and Pentecost in this paragraph.

2024 was a tumultuous year. Did God preform like you wanted Him too? Humph, did you perform like God wanted? (Romans 8:28 ,29) Read Exodus 11 to the end of the book and see how the Israelites’ year went, did they have problems and attitudes? We have been given a new year and I am sure God is still in control. Prepare yourself in the things you offer to God and find Jesus as you offer them, so the glory of God can be seen in your life.

In 2025 can you pray like Jesus, “Father, Your kingdom come and rule here like You do in heaven.”

Have a blessed year,

Mark