In Old Testament times, the people of Israel had to bring certain offerings to the Lord. The Hebrew word translated as offering is corban, which means to draw near. The word sacrifice means that which ascends to God. Let’s take a look at the five offerings mentioned in Leviticus to see what they mean to us today. As we do, we will understand that through giving, we’re not losing anything, but we are drawing near to God. In these offerings, the Israelites obtained forgiveness and fellowship with God. The offerings pointed to Christ, and they have been fulfilled by Him.

The Burnt Offering

Leviticus 1 describes the burnt offering. The people offered this up to God in their place. It was an act of worship, atonement and surrender to God. Jesus offered Himself in our place as an act of worship.

And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour. Ephesians 5:7 (KJV)

Just as Christ surrendered His will to do God’s will, we do the same, and it is an act of worship and surrender. Now we live our lives as an act of worship to God.

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. Romans 12:1 (KJV)

The Grain/Meat Offering

Leviticus 2 tells of the grain offering, also called the meat offering. It was brought as a gift to present to God and as a way of dedicating their work to the Lord. Jesus died as our grain offering, just as a kernel of grain dies to produce a harvest (John 12:24). We are to dedicate our work to God as a gift. Also, as we die to our selves, we can bring the bread of life to others so they can live.

The Peace Offering

In Leviticus 3 we learn about peace offerings. This offering brought the giver peace with God and man. It speaks of Jesus Christ our peace offering, through Whom we can have peace with God, man, and ourselves. Through this we can have fellowship with the Lord and with others.

For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us. Ephesians 2:14 (KJV)

Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 5:1 (KJV)

The Sin Offering

Leviticus 4 tells us about the sin offering, which was given for forgiveness of sin and trespasses. Jesus Christ bore our sin, actually becoming sin. He was our sin offering; the One who carried our sins.

Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. I Peter 2:24 (KJV)

For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. Matthew 6:14 (KJV)

For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. II Corinthians 5:21 (KJV)

The Trespass Offering

The trespass offering, also known as a guilt offering, is covered in Leviticus 5. It was offered for reconciliation with others and for restoration of relationships. Christ is our trespass offering.He has reconciled us to God and to each other. And we, in turn, have been given the ministry of reconciliation, helping people to be reconciled to God.

And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. II Corinthians 5:18-19 (KJV)

Because Jesus was the complete offering, we no longer rely on offerings of animals and grain. Because He offered Himself up for us to God, we can draw near to the Lord and obtain what we need through the shed blood of Christ. What a blessing!

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For more study on the offerings of the Old Testament, check out Leviticus chapters 1-7.