Topical Bible: Israel: First Sacrifice offered By, Under the Law

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The first sacrifice offered by the nation of Israel under the Mosaic Law is a significant event that marks the formal establishment of the sacrificial system as commanded by God. This event is recorded in the Book of Leviticus, which serves as a manual for the Levitical priesthood and the sacrificial rites that were to be observed by the Israelites.

Context and Background

The sacrificial system was instituted by God as a means for the Israelites to atone for their sins and maintain a covenant relationship with Him. The Law, given to Moses on Mount Sinai, included detailed instructions on various types of offerings, including burnt offerings, grain offerings, peace offerings, sin offerings, and guilt offerings. These sacrifices were central to the religious life of Israel and were to be conducted by the priests, who were descendants of Aaron, Moses' brother.

The First Sacrifice

The first recorded sacrifice under the Law took place after the construction of the Tabernacle, the portable sanctuary that served as the dwelling place of God among His people. In Leviticus 9, we find the account of this inaugural ceremony. Aaron and his sons, having been consecrated as priests, were instructed to offer sacrifices on behalf of themselves and the people.

Leviticus 9:1-7 describes the event: "On the eighth day, Moses summoned Aaron and his sons and the elders of Israel. He said to Aaron, 'Take for yourself a young bull for a sin offering and a ram for a burnt offering, both without blemish, and present them before the LORD. And speak to the Israelites and say, "Take a male goat for a sin offering, a calf and a lamb, both a year old and without blemish, for a burnt offering, an ox and a ram for a peace offering, to sacrifice before the LORD, and a grain offering mixed with oil. For today the LORD will appear to you."'"

Aaron followed these instructions, offering the sacrifices as prescribed. The sin offering was made to atone for the sins of the priests and the people, while the burnt offering symbolized complete dedication to God. The peace offering represented fellowship and communion with the Lord.

Divine Approval

The culmination of this sacrificial ceremony is marked by a divine manifestation. Leviticus 9:22-24 records, "Then Aaron lifted up his hands toward the people and blessed them. And having sacrificed the sin offering, the burnt offering, and the peace offering, he stepped down. Moses and Aaron went into the Tent of Meeting, and when they came out, they blessed the people, and the glory of the LORD appeared to all the people. Fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed the burnt offering and the fat portions on the altar. And when all the people saw it, they shouted for joy and fell facedown."

This miraculous event confirmed God's acceptance of the sacrifices and His presence among His people. It underscored the importance of obedience to God's commands and the role of the sacrificial system in maintaining holiness and fellowship with the Lord.

Significance

The first sacrifice under the Law set a precedent for the worship practices of Israel. It highlighted the necessity of atonement for sin and the means by which the Israelites could approach a holy God. The sacrificial system foreshadowed the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who, as the Lamb of God, would offer Himself once for all to atone for the sins of humanity.

Nave's Topical Index

Leviticus 8:14-36
And he brought the bullock for the sin offering: and Aaron and his sons laid their hands on the head of the bullock for the sin offering.
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Leviticus 9:8-24
Aaron therefore went to the altar, and slew the calf of the sin offering, which was for himself.
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Library

Whether Christ was Becomingly Presented in the Temple?
... 13:2): "Sanctify unto Me every first-born that ... the womb among the children of Israel."
But Christ ... the mother's purification were expired," a sacrifice was to ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether christ was becomingly presented.htm

Entire Sanctification in Type.
... sinner who is an "alien from the commonwealth of Israel, a stranger ... and his toe with
the blood of the sacrifice, so now ... First, the blood; afterwards, the oil. ...
/.../clark/the theology of holiness/chapter iv entire sanctification in.htm

The Great High-Priest.
... rests on the twofold argument of the first two chapters. ... Because of this perfect
self-abnegation, His sacrifice was complete ... the sake of the God of Israel's name ...
/.../chapter iv the great high-priest.htm

The Coming of a Deliverer
... The time had come for the earthly sacrifice and oblation ... God revealed the exact time
of the first advent; and ... The hand of the oppressor was heavy upon Israel. ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 58 the coming of.htm

Manner of Covenanting.
... that covenant immediately after the flood, offered sacrifice,[140] yet ... two terms
or their modifications is first used ... of David and the elders of Israel at Hebron ...
/.../cunningham/the ordinance of covenanting/chapter ii manner of covenanting.htm

Of the Law.
... and afterwards nine, said to the first, "Go, show ... makest," but, "Make an altar,"
and sacrifice perpetually; for ... be mindful of that, "Hear, O Israel, the Lord ...
/.../various/constitutions of the holy apostles/sec iv of the law.htm

The Only Atoning Priest
... remark of this same apostle in the first chapter of ... and a Savior to give repentance
unto Israel, and remission ... man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 18 1872/the only atoning priest.htm

Redemption for Man Lost to be Sought in Christ.
... First reason founded on the institution of sacrifice. ... Nay, how came it that the
first-born was rejected ... him to feed Jacob his people, and Israel his inheritance ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 6 redemption for man.htm

Why the Passover is Said to be that of the "Jews. " Its ...
... the beginning of months, it is the first for you ... guarded the houses of the children
of Israel." And again ... the law of the continuous and daily sacrifice, we find ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of john/11 why the passover is.htm

The Levites Ought to be Utterly Free from all Earthly Desires. ...
... of the whole number of the children of Israel, regarded as ... Jephthah, [364] who offered
up his daughter in sacrifice, she having been the first to meet ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter l the levites ought.htm