ANIMAL OFFERINGS TO GOD Leviticus chapters 1 & 2
WHAT IS AN OFFERING? According to the dictionary, an offering is defined as “a thing offered, especially as a gift or contribution.” Whenever you offer anything to God it has to be done complete, correct, and in order. Which brings us to our lesson for this presentation.
OUR LESSON During biblical times, the children of Israel were required to make offerings unto the Lord for various reasons. It was not left up to the children of Israel how and what they should offer, but their offering had to be very specific. God is a God of order and requires things to be done a certain way. So let’s talk about the different kinds of offerings found in Leviticus chapters 1 and 2.
SPEAKING TO THE ISRAEL From the time that the Children of Israel was in Egypt all the way until the time they were in the wilderness, the Lord used to speak unto them. Also, the children of Israel pleaded with Moses to speak with God himself, because they could not bear the sound of his voice.
THEIR CHOICE ď śGod told Moses, that if any man wanted to bring an offering unto the Lord, for a burnt offering, he should bring an offering of his cattle if he chose to do so. ď śThey had three ways to offer a burnt offering unto the Lord. Their choices were: cattle, sheep or goat, or a fowl of the air. Whatever they chose, they had very specific guidelines to follow in order for it to be accepted by the Lord.
GUIDELINES FOR BURNT OFFERINGS These were the guidelines for cattle (bullocks, cows, etc.)
• A male without blemish • Must be offered of his own will (it had to be voluntary, no one should force him).
• He should bring it to the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.
• He should place his hand upon the head of the burnt offering (animal) and kill it.
MORE GUIDELINES Aaron, the brother of Moses and a priest, had very important roles when an animal of burnt offering was presented or offered to the Lord. First, Aaron’s sons were to bring the blood and spring it around and upon the altar. Next, they were to flay (which means to peel the skin off) the animal and cut it into pieces. Then, they were to bring fire upon the altar using wood that was to be laid in a specific order. Finally, they were to lay the parts and the fat in a certain order upon the wood that was on the altar.
BURNT OFFERING & SWEET SAVOR ď ś The legs of the cattle and the inside of the cattle had to be washed in water and the priests were to burn it all on the altar in order for it to be a burnt sacrifice and a sacrifice made by fire. It had to be done in this very way in order for it to be considered a sweet savour unto the Lord.
OFFERINGS FROM THE SHEEP OR GOAT’S HERD
If a man chose from his flock of sheep or goat to make a burnt offering or sacrifice, it too had very special guidelines. These guidelines were very similar to the guidelines for the cattle.
A male sheep or goat without any blemishes (he had to be in perfect shape, there could not be anything wrong with him).
The animal had to be killed on the north side of the altar.
The priests had to sprinkle the blood of the animal on the altar and cut it into pieces with his head and his fat.
It had to be laid in order on the wood of fire that was on the altar, and the legs and insides had to be washed with water.
OFFERING OF FOWLS If a man chose to offer a fowl of the air before the Lord, such as a turtledove or pigeon, it too had to be brought before the altar by the priest. These were the guidelines: The priest had to wring off his head. The priest had to burn it on the altar and ring the blood out at the side of the altar. The priest had to pluck away the feathers and place it on the east side of the altar by the ashes. The priest had to cut the wings off, but could not
STAY TUNED.... ď ś In the next powerpoint presentation, you will learn about the offerings made using plants.
SPECIAL THANKS
This presentations was developed by: Ebony Williams
QUESTIONS?
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