The guilt offering

Leviticus 5 NLT

KEYWORDS AND NUMBER OF CHAPTER REFERENCES¹

• Sin (Sinful)- 21

• Offering- 16

• Bring- 13

• Guilt (Guilty)- 11

• Priest- 10

• Lord- 8

• Sin offering- 5

• Purify- 5

• Right with the Lord- 5

• Animal- 4

• Guilt offering- 4

• [You or they] will be forgiven- 4

• Ram- 4

• Unclean- 3

• Bird (birds)- 3

• Altar- 3

• Through this process- 3

• Flour- 3

• Testify- 2

• Foolish (Foolishness)- 2

• Punished- 2

• Penalty for your sin- 2

• Sheep- 2

• If you cannot afford- 2

• Two turtledoves- 2

• Two young pigeons- 2

• Blood- 2

• Unintentional (Unintentionally)- 2

• Defilement (Defiling)- 2

• Sacred property- 2

• Ram with no defects- 2

• Paying (Payment)- 2

• Buy one of equal value- 2

• Confess- 1

• Female from the flock- 1

• Goat- 1

• Grain offering- 1

• Moses- 1

• Silver- 1

• Sanctuary shekel- 1

• Restitution- 1

• Lord’s commands- 1

• Offense- 1

SILENCE IS NOT THE ANSWER

If you are called to testify about something you have seen or know about, it is sinful to refuse to testify, and you will be punished for your sin.² This does not give us a license to go around and be a gossip. Gossip is meddling in other people’s business and talking about things you shouldn’t.³ We are not to spread slanderous gossip.⁴ A gossip goes around telling secrets, but those who are trustworthy can keep a confidence.⁵ Gossip separates the best of friends.⁶ Wrongdoers eagerly listen to gossip; liars pay close attention to slander.⁷ A gossip goes around telling secrets, so don’t hang around with chatterers.⁸ A gossiping tongue causes anger.⁹ Quarrels disappear when gossip stops.¹⁰ But exposing evil to protect yourself or others, especially in a court of law, is not gossip. This verse is clear that to refuse to speak the truth so that justice may be done is a sin worthy of punishment.

UNINTENTIONAL SIN

You may have heard it said that your lack of knowledge about the criminality of your actions does not make you less guilty of them. That is a biblical concept. Thus, it is reflected in our laws. That is why offerings were required even for unintentional sins. Provisions were made for unintentional sins, such as in cases of involuntary manslaughter for example. But sin is still sin—unintentional or not—and needs to be dealt with.¹¹

NO FAVORITISM

There were no special rules for the rich or poor. The system was set up to have equal justice under the law. For example, even when the poor sinned, God took into account that the poor may not be able to afford the same sacrifices as others. Still, they were expected to bring an offering for their sins that they could afford.

SIN OFFERINGS VS. GUILT OFFERINGS¹²

Why was there a guilt offering if there was already a sin offering? The sin offering restored fellowship with God. The guilt offering took away the consequences of sin.

The purpose of the sin offering was to pay for unintentional sins of uncleanness, neglect, or thoughtlessness. Sin offerings restored the sinner to fellowship with God. They also showed the seriousness of sin. Under the New Covenant, Christ’s death makes the restoration of fellowship with God available.

On the other hand, the guilt offering made payment for sins against God and others. A sacrifice was made to God, and the victim was repaid or compensated. The compensation provided for wronged parties was significant. Under the New Covenant, Christ’s death takes away the deadly consequences of sin for his followers.

APPLICATIONS¹³

1. Confess your sins to God and the offended parties, whether intentional or unintentional.

2. Unintentional sin can be committed without knowledge or through negligence or weakness. Intentional sins are those that are committed in outright rebellion against God. Ensure you’re not sinning in rebellion against him because that is a spiritual danger zone. If you are, confess and repent right now, that you may be forgiven (1 John 1:9).

3. Keep your word, even if you made a foolish promise without thinking. Not only is this level of integrity an excellent testimony to others about the genuineness of your faith, but it will keep you from speaking too quickly and getting involved in something without serious consideration first.

4. Confession to God and others affected by your sins, followed by turning away from those sins, is essential to restoring your relationships with God and others. This also demonstrates humility (Psalm 51:16-17).

1. Leviticus 5 NLT

2. Leviticus 5:1

3. 1 Timothy 5:13

4. Leviticus 19:16

5. Proverbs 11:13

6. Proverbs 16:28

7. Proverbs 17:4

8. Proverbs 20:19

9. Proverbs 25:23

10. Proverbs 26:20

11. Leviticus 4-5; Numbers 15:22-27; 35:22-28; Deuteronomy 4:41-42; 19; 19:4-7; Joshua 20:1-6

12. Life Application Study Bible chart called The Offerings

13. Life Application Study Bible commentary on Leviticus 4-5