Leviticus 1:5

And he shall slaughter the young bull before the LORD, and Aaron's sons the priests are to present the blood and sprinkle it on all sides of the altar at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting.

Study Bible

And he shall slaughter the young bull before the LORD
This phrase describes the act of sacrifice, a central element in the Levitical system. The young bull, a valuable offering, signifies the seriousness of sin and the costliness of atonement. The act of slaughtering "before the LORD" emphasizes that the sacrifice is made in the presence of God, highlighting His holiness and the need for purification. This foreshadows the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who was offered once for all to atone for sin (Hebrews 9:12-14).

and Aaron’s sons the priests are to present the blood
The priests, descendants of Aaron, serve as mediators between God and the people. Presenting the blood signifies the life given in exchange for sin, as blood represents life (Leviticus 17:11). This act prefigures Christ's role as the High Priest who offers His own blood for the redemption of humanity (Hebrews 9:11-14).

and splatter it on all sides of the altar
The splattering of blood on the altar symbolizes the purification and consecration of the altar, making it holy and acceptable for offerings. This ritual act signifies the cleansing power of the blood, pointing to the cleansing from sin through Christ's sacrifice (1 John 1:7).

at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting
The Tent of Meeting, also known as the Tabernacle, was the designated place where God met with His people. The altar's location at the entrance signifies the necessity of atonement before entering God's presence. This reflects the New Testament teaching that access to God is granted through the sacrifice of Jesus, who is the way to the Father (John 14:6).

Persons / Places / Events

1. The Offerer
The individual bringing the sacrifice, responsible for slaughtering the animal as an act of worship and atonement.

2. Aaron’s Sons (The Priests)
The descendants of Aaron, designated as priests, who perform the ritual duties of presenting and sprinkling the blood.

3. The LORD
The covenant God of Israel, to whom the sacrifice is offered as an act of obedience and worship.

4. The Altar
Located at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting, it is the place where sacrifices are made, symbolizing the presence of God and the means of atonement.

5. The Tent of Meeting
The portable earthly dwelling place of God among the Israelites, where divine-human interaction occurs.

Teaching Points

The Seriousness of Sin
The requirement of a blood sacrifice underscores the gravity of sin and the need for atonement.

Role of the Priesthood
Highlights the mediatory role of the priests, pointing to Christ as our ultimate High Priest.

Approach to Worship
Emphasizes the importance of approaching God with reverence and obedience, following His prescribed ways.

Symbolism of Blood
Blood symbolizes life and purification, foreshadowing the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus.

Community and Worship
The communal aspect of worship, involving both the offerer and the priests, reflects the corporate nature of faith.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does the act of slaughtering the animal by the offerer reflect personal responsibility in worship and atonement?

2. In what ways does the role of Aaron’s sons as priests foreshadow the work of Jesus Christ as our High Priest?

3. How does the location of the altar at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting symbolize the accessibility of God’s presence through sacrifice?

4. What can we learn from the sacrificial system about the seriousness of sin and the necessity of atonement in our own lives?

5. How does understanding the Old Testament sacrificial system enhance our appreciation of Christ’s sacrifice as described in the New Testament?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Exodus 29
Describes the consecration of Aaron and his sons, establishing their role as priests and their duties in the sacrificial system.

Hebrews 9
Discusses the role of blood in the sacrificial system and its fulfillment in the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

1 Peter 1
Relates the concept of being redeemed by the precious blood of Christ, drawing a parallel to the sacrificial system in Leviticus.