A Kingdom of Priests (Lev. 1-8)

[disciple]

A Kingdom of Priests
Lev. 1-8

·NT passages about the believer’s “latreuo” (serving as priest): Lk. 4:6-8, Ac. 7:7, 2 Tim. 1:3-4, Heb. 9:13-14, Rom. 12:1-2, 15:15-16, Rev. 1:6, 5:9-10, 20:6, 22:3-4
·How do we typically think of the priesthood of believers? (everybody can pray to God, sins atoned for, etc.). These things are important but are just a small part of our role as priests. If we understand this position in Christ, we will perform the proper procedure, but if we do not understand it we will continue using our own procedures.

·5 major ideas about the office of priest
·Exists for God & others, not self—to help somebody else be a worshipper of God. The worshipper & priest need each other for God to be fully glorified.
·The worshipper had to come voluntarily, and the priest had to be ready. The priest did not go out & “hunt down” worshippers, but when God brought one he had to be ready & prepared (no place for him to sit down in the tabernacle)
·Everything the priest did was intentional—no guessing about God or doing things & hoping for results. The priest followed a process & strategy clearly prescribed by God. To not follow God’s prescribed process was unthinkable & could mean death (Num. 3:3-4)
·The priest gained his position by birth, not by effort, for fame, or for personal gain.

·6 offerings (literal events)
Each is very different from the others, and each presents a picture of the different ways we can help people be worshippers more fully surrendered to God.

Sin offering—deals with man’s being a sinner, non-sweet savor offering
--Only offering burned outside the tabernacle (Heb. 13:12).
--Different grades of the offering: bull, lamb, goat, turtledoves, flour. Higher ones: blood sprinkled on golden altar of incense, lower ones: blood sprinkled on bronze altar. Fat is burned in higher ones.

Trespass offering—deals with specific sins in someone’s life, non-sweet savor offering
--The sin was paid for, along with a fifth part (Lev. 5:16) in the higher grade.

Peace offering—benefits God, others (priest & children), & self, sweet savor offering
--Different grades of the offering: for thanksgiving, or for a vow. Is accompanied by the meal offering (worshipper eats some of it) when done in thanksgiving. Thanksgiving: consumed right away, vow: consumed within 3 days.

Meal offering—benefits God & others, sweet savor offering
--Offering of flour, oil, frankincense, & salt—Lev. 2:1, 13. Offered to God, but mostly benefits the priest.
--Different grades of the offering: fine flour, baked loaves/ cakes, & ears of corn.

Burnt offering—totally given to God alone (highest offering), sweet savor offering
--Offering of a life; sacrifice was wholly consumed on the altar (Lev. 1:9, 13). Different parts of the sacrifice consumed: head, legs, inwards, & fat.
--Different grades of the offering: bull, lamb, turtledove. The higher the grade of the offering, the more the worshipper does.

Key symbols used in the offerings
Leaven = sin
Bread = the Word
Salt = preservative
Oil, fire, water = Spirit (anointing, transforming, cleansing)
Offering = worshiper, worshiper = offering
Blood = life (of the worshiper/offering)
Legs = walk
Head = mind, thoughts
Fat = the best
Inwards = inner person
Skin = flesh
Wings = freedom/independence
Breast = closeness, close friendship
Incense = praise/worship
Bronze = judgement

Basic symbolism of each offering (shows a process of spiritual transformation)

Offering-Sin
Christian equivalent-salvation
Disciple’s role-receive the Good News, repent, & offer life to God
Spiritual priest’s role-present the Good News to everyone God brings, helping them understand & accept entrance into God’s kingdom & story

Offering-Trespass
Christian equivalent-repentance of sinful living
Disciple’s role-receive Truth & repent, “over-paying” to God & others when necessary
Spiritual priest’s role-present Truth to everyone God brings, helping them lay aside sin, extend grace, & move on to sweet-savor worship

Offering-Fellowship/Peace
Christian equivalent-beginning to grow in community
Disciple’s role-live in community with other disciples, practicing God’s presence & sharing some truth learned with others
Spiritual priest’s role-develop community with everyone God brings, helping them practice God’s presence daily & share some truth learned with the community

Offering-Meal/Grain
Christian equivalent-processing & presenting the Word for God & to others
Disciple’s role-prepare & teach truth to other disciples in community
Spiritual priest’s role-help everyone God brings to study, prepare, & present truth, sharing it in turn with others

Offering-Burnt
Christian equivalent-transformed for God alone
Disciple’s role-surrender totally to the example of Christ in passion, life, mind, & strength-focus is on others, constantly moving outward to the world
Spiritual priest’s role-assist in transforming everyone God brings into the likeness of Christ, helping them understand Christ’s life is focused on others & constantly moving outward; take them to become a foundation for another’s “sin offering”

Offering-Consecration Burnt
Christian equivalent-becoming a “priest” (disciple maker) to take others through the process
Disciple’s role-turn people into multiplying disciples-becomes the spiritual priest for somebody else and, ultimately, for all the “ethne”
Spiritual priest’s role-help everyone you & God bring to understand & live out of the office of a priest-bringing worshippers to God & producing world-impacting multiplication through all 6 offerings