The Lord called to Moses and spoke to him from the tabernacle of meeting. He told Moses to speak to the children of Israel saying, “When any one of you brings an offering to the Lord, you shall bring your offering of the livestock – of the herd and of the flock.”
Offering From The Herd (Cattle)
If the offering is a burnt sacrifice of the herd, it should be a male without blemish. He shall offer it at his own free will at the door of the tabernacle of meeting before the Lord. He shall put his hand on the head of the burnt offering and it will be accepted on his behalf to make atonement for him. He shall kill the bull before the Lord. The priests, Aaron’s sons, shall bring the blood and sprinkle it all around on the altar that is by the door of the tabernacle of meeting. The burnt offering should then be skinned and cut into pieces. The priests shall put the fire on the altar and lay the wood in order on the fire. Then the priests shall lay the parts, the head and the fat in order on the wood that is on the fire upon the altar. The entrails and the legs shall be washed with water. The priest shall burn all on the altar as a burnt sacrifice, an offering made by fire, a sweet aroma to the Lord. (Image by Cally Lawson from Pixabay)
Offering From The Flock (Sheep or Goats)
If the offering is of the flocks – sheep or goats – as a burnt sacrifice, it shall be a male without blemish. The animal should be killed on the north side of the altar before the Lord. Aaron’s sons, the priests, shall sprinkle its blood all around on the altar. The offering shall be cut into pieces with its head and fat. The priest shall lay them in order on the wood that is on the fire upon the altar. The entrails and the legs shall be washed with water. Then the priest shall burn it on the altar because it is a burnt sacrifice; an offering made by fire, a sweet aroma to the Lord. (Image by 12019 from Pixabay)
Offering Of Birds
If the burnt sacrificial offering is of birds, the offering shall be turtledoves or young pigeons. The priest shall bring it to the altar, wring off its neck and burn it on the altar. Its blood shall be drained out at the side of the altar. The crop (section of the lower esophagus used for storing food before digestion) with its feathers should be removed and cast beside the altar on the east side where ashes were placed. The bird shall be split at its wings, but not divided completely. The priest shall burn it on the altar, on the wood that is on the fire. It is a burnt sacrifice, an offering made by fire, a sweet aroma to the Lord. (Image by Silviu on the street from Pixabay)
According to Seedbed, seedbed.com, the purpose of the Burnt Offering was for general atonement of sin and expression of devotion to God.
Based on the different categories of the animals for the burnt sacrificial offerings, God made it possible for everyone to give to Him with no excuses. I’m guessing that those who offered cattle were among the wealthiest. Those who offered sheep or goats were “middle class” and those who offered birds were poor in comparison to the others. So, regardless of your capabilities (financially or talent/skills), make sure you give God your best offering. Let your offerings be a sweet aroma to the Lord.
Next week we journey to Leviticus 2.
To God Be The Glory!
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Hello Fellow Bloggers:
The title is on point “Offer God Your Best” Just as Sherry mentioned, the different categories of offerings to God varied and was intentional so that everyone could give their best, regardless as to who they were or what they had. This is just as pertinent now as it was then!
Also as Sherry said, “So, regardless of our capabilities (financially or talent/skills), make sure we give God our best offering. Let our offerings be a sweet aroma to the Lord.”
Amen!
See you in Leviticus Chapter 2!