To the believing Jew, what could be better than a sleek bull from Bashan offered to God?
Those who admire fancy words sometimes call this system of sacrifices and priesthood sacerdotal. However, the word can be misleading. It comes from two Latin words meaning “priest” and “make holy.” However, contrary to the teachings of the majority of Christendom, priests have no magical powers! They make nothing holy. Something or someone is holy when God separates them to Himself for His own purposes. Now in the Levitical system, the burnt offering was considered the highest. There were three occasions when one was offered. First, we saw back in Exodus 29 the continual burnt offering. “Now this is what you shall offer on the altar: two lambs of the first year, day by day continually. One lamb you shall offer in the morning, and the other lamb you shall offer at twilight.…This shall be a continual burnt offering throughout your generations…” (Ex 29:38-42). As our lives should be, and as Christ’s life ever is, this was a non-stop pleasure to God. There was also the volitional burnt offering, which we have been discussing—to be willingly given out of gratitude for the Lord’s goodness. When we arrive at Numbers 28 and 29, we will see the role of the ceremonial burnt offering, given on the high and holy festivals of the nation. And yet, as the Scriptures continue to unfold the truth, we discover what we may call the spiritual burnt offering, in fact SIX THINGS better than a burnt offering! 1. Obedience (1 Sam 15:22; Heb 9:14). 2. Humility (Ps 51:16-17). 3. The knowledge of God (Hos 6:6). 4. Thankfulness (Ps 69:30-32). 5. Love for the Lord and for our neighbors (Mk 12:32-33). And of course there is 6. The Supreme Sacrifice (Ps 40:6-8; Heb 10:8-9), Christ, the fulfillment of them all!