"Hattath" or the Sin Offering: Lev. 4:1-35; 5:1-13;6: 24-30; Numbers 15:22-31; Deut.12:5-14.

1. The sin offering is not a sweet savor sacrifice. It is one of the Most Holy - HATTATH- or sin offering.

A. It was not a freewill offering, but one prescribed by law.

B. It was not a delight to God for it spoke of man's rebellion.

C. It was not an expression of Man's love - but was required because of the lack of love.

D. It grows out of the necessity imposed by God's holiness and government by law.

2. The Difference Between the Sin Offering and the Trespass Offering

A. Generally speaking, the sin offering deals with any violation of the 1^st five commandments. The trespass-offering is for violations of the last five.

B. The sin offering views sin as an insult against Divine nature – trespass-offering against Divine government.

C. The sin offering involves sins as they wrong God – trespass offering involves sins as they wrong or injure man.

D. Atonement is central in the sin offering. Restitution is central in the trespass offering.

E. Both are required to regain lost fellowship with God.

3. This is the first time the sin-offering is offered to Israel.

A. Burnt, peace, meal, and drink offerings were ancient in their usage.

B. But--the Sin Offering did not exist before the book of Leviticus.

4. The place of atonement in the sin and trespass offering is different than that of the burnt and peace offering.

A. Atonement is Central for the sin offering and trespass offering. It is only Marginal for the burnt offering and the peace offering.

B. IMPORTANT, IMPORTANT,IMPORTANT---Burnt and Peace Offerings provided atonement FOR THOSE IN FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD. The sin offering and trespass offering are for those OUT OF FELLOWSHIP with God.

5. The Attitude of the Sinner affected the forgiveness of sins and might deprive one of atonement!

A. The willful, stubborn, high-minded sinner was deprived of atonement.

a. He would be cut off from the people: the minimum penalty.

b. Or - he was to be stoned to death - the maximum penalty.

c. In either case, he lost fellowship with God and Israel.

d. See Hebrews 10:28; Deut. 13:6-11; 17:6-7; Lev. 24:14.

B. Sins for which there was no provision made for sacrifice - murder, blasphemy, adultery, idolatry, homosexuality. ¹

1. To emphasize the wickedness of such crimes against God and man.

2. To ratify the commission of such crimes.

3. To show the need for a perfect sacrifice that would atone for all sins and not just some.

C. If one committed such sins and was ever restored to God's fellowship, it was because of:

1. Their deep penitence- which involved a turning away from sin.

2. His abhorrence of the wrongs he had done - involved his own agreement with God's judgment against sin.

3. Because of his expression of love and devotion to God. (See Psalms 51 as an example of all three).

6. Yet sins of ignorance, rashness, stupidity, weakness, and waywardness that did not defy God's government were covered by the sin offering.

7. The Christian today does not have that problem. We have an

ABIDING SACRIFICE (Heb.10:26).

8. Review Hebrews 10:4 for the fault of the law.

A. Sin was forgiven under the law - “and he shall be forgiven” - Lev. 4:26 etc.

B. Do not be confused. God does not live in time, He is eternal where there is no time. Adam and Eve, Jesus Christ, and the end of the world are all at once. God forgave those sins on the basis of the cross (Romans 3:24-27; Hebrews 9:15).

Graded Responsibility.

1. The influence of the individual stood in relation to his position before God and the nation.

2. Whether the sin was individual or collective made a difference in the ritual and the victim.

A. For the high priest - the victim was a flawless bullock - Lev. 4:3

B. For the whole congregation - a bullock was required - Lev. 4:13.

a. In both the above, the bull was the most valuable.

b. And the sins that were the most aggravating - Ezek.9:6.

C. For the civil ruler - a he-goat, less valuable than the high priest but more valuable than the commoner's - Lev. 4:22.

D. For the common people - normally a female goat or ewe lamb - if or ewe lamb - if he is poor, two turtle doves or pigeons or one tenth ephah of flour.

E. This graded responsibility is based on definite reasons in each case considered.

(1) The High Priest can so sin as to bring guilt on the people - Lev. 4:3.

(2) The whole congregation - not only the individual - but corporately and collectively.

(3) The ruler who sins is more responsible because of his

civil authority. Because he is king, he is not exempt from the law.

(4) The common man is also responsible for his actions - none are so high as to be above God's government and none are so insignificant as to be ignored or their sins overlooked by God. (see Acts 10:34; Romans 2:11).

THE RITUAL OF THE SIN OFFERING

1. The Presentation - the sinner brings his victim to the door of the tent of meetings - Lev.4:4.

A. The purpose is now different for he seeks forgiveness for his wrongs and he knows what he has done.

B. He is seeking restoration of fellowship with God.

2. The laying on of hands on the head of the victim - Lev. 4:4

3. He must confess the specific sin has has committed - Lev. 5:5

4. The offerer then must kill his own victim.

5. The blood is sprinkled in the proper place (taken directly to God and on top of the altar).

A. For the appointed priest the blood was sprinkled on the horns of the altar on incense in the Holy Place (Lev. 4:17).

B. For the whole congregation - Same place and process 4:17.

C. For the ruler - blood is sprinkled on the horns of the altar of the burnt offering in the outer court - .

D. For the commoner, same as ruler.

6. The fat is removed and fumed to God on the altar of burnt offerings.

A. Even in the sin offering, the fat is still God's.

B. God is not pleased with man's sin but is pleased that man seeks forgiveness.

C. Atonement is more necessary for what God is than for what man does.

7. The disposition of the body of the victim - graded responsibility is still being viewed.

A. For the High Priest's bullock.

1) Blood was taken into the Holy Place.

2) All the rest of the body was burned outside the camp.

3) It must be burned in a clean place where the ashes or the

      burnt offering are placed.

4) The priest could not eat of the sacrifice because he was involved in sin.

5) Not burned on the altar of burnt offering - only the fat.

6) But - outside the camp. Showing that the entire animal was consumed for expiation.

7) This as done by SARAPH fire that comes down. God's judgment against sin.

8. For the whole congregation, same as the high priest.

9. For the ruler's he goat.

1) The priest and the Levities received the body for eating.

2) This is the priest's portion from God. Do not confuse with the peace offering.

3) It is to be eaten by the priests in the courtyard of the tabernacle.

4) God thus recompensed His priests for the fruits of His ministry that affected reconciliation.

5) For the commoner's she goat - same as the ruler's he goat.

The Ritual in Review

1. Presentation.

2. Laying on of hands.

3. Confession of sins.

4. Killing of the victim.

5. Sprinkling of the blood.

6. Fat fumed to God.

7. Disposition of the body of the sacrifice.

by Lane Rogers