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place. The burnt offering is entirely devoted to God. All except the skin (which typifies
righteousness) is consumed upon the altar. This symbolizes the perfect accordance with
the will of God that was ever manifested in the Lord Jesus Christ, and how throughout
His life on earth he met every claim of God and neighbour.
The meat offering is often associated with the burnt offering (see Numb. 29: 6, 13
and 14). There is no blood shed in this case. Fine flour, oil and frankincense speak of
inherent sinlessness, the addition of salt and the exclusion of both honey and leaven
emphasizing its spiritual character. Before the question of sin is dealt with we have these
positive relations set forth. On the other hand we have man's need and its remedy.
The trespass offering is the burnt offering plus sin. In both cases that which is due to
God and man is met. But in the trespass offering there is the addition of the "fifth part",
a making of amends. So with the sin offering. This deals with inherent sin, What I am
rather than what I do; it is the meat offering plus sin. When both aspects of the divine
demands have been met, common ground is found in the central offering, "The peace
offering", where all parties concerned (God, the sinner, and the priest) find ground for
peace and communion.
The spiritual reader will be awakened to the possibilities of real light and teaching
from a contemplation of these most important offerings a careful consideration, and to
devote a separate article to each one. There is, however, a necessary preliminary study
that can be done here, which is to investigate wherein these five offerings differ the one
from the other.
Things that differ.
THE BURNT OFFERING.--This like the meat offering and the peace offering is a
sweet savour. In this it differs from both the sin offering and the trespass offering. It is
offered "for acceptance". This is one of its peculiar distinctions. It was the offering of
life-blood. In this it differed from the meat offering. It was wholly burnt; no part was
eaten by either offerer of priest. The skin alone was reserved. It made "an atonement for
him", whereas in the sin offering it makes "an atonement for him as concerning his sin",
and issues in "forgiveness".
THE MEAT OFFERING.--This also was a sweet savour offering, and so contrasted
with both sin and trespass offerings. It differs from all the others in the nature of the
offerings themselves. Flour, oil, frankincense and salt. No blood was shed, no life given.
It was not wholly burnt. Some part was reserved for Aaron and his sons.
THE PEACE OFFERING.--It was a sweet savour offering, and so grouped with the
two former, but its chief feature is found in the emphasis upon communion. God, the
offerer, and the priest all find common food together.
THE SIN OFFERING.--This is not a sweet savour offering. It was not burnt upon
the altar, but in the place of ashes outside the camp. It was specially for sin as distinct