The Whole Burnt Offering

Rev. Dr. Adam Hensley, associate professor of exegetical theology at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, MO, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Leviticus 1:1-17.

Although the book of Leviticus is unfamiliar to many Christians today, it occupies a key place within the Holy Scriptures. The people of God are encamped at Mt. Sinai, and the LORD has taken up residence among them in the tabernacle. How can He dwell among them with His holiness without consuming them in their sin? Through the rites given in Leviticus, the LORD bridges that gap. The first seven chapters speak of offerings that the people can present before the LORD in order that they can receive His holiness as the gift that He intends. The sacrifice given in the first chapter is the burnt offering, which is burned entirely on the altar so that the pleasing aroma ascends before the LORD. Because He has declared it a pleasing aroma, the worshiping Israelite could be assured that the LORD is pleased with Him. This is fulfilled in Christ, whose sacrifice in our place has made us pleasing in the Father’s sight.

“The Holiness of God” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through the book of Leviticus. Because God desired to dwell among His sinful people for their blessing rather than their destruction, He gave them the sacrifices and regulations of Leviticus to bestow His holiness upon them. In this way, the book of Leviticus points us to Christ who is our great High Priest who offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice to make us holy before God.