← Back
2

What's the difference between a burnt offering and a sin offering?



      

Leviticus 5:7

ESV - 7 But if he cannot afford a lamb, then he shall bring to the Lord as his compensation for the sin that he has committed two turtledoves or two pigeons, one for a sin offering and the other for a burnt offering.

Clarify Share Report Asked February 07 2015 Mini Anonymous

Community answers are sorted based on votes. The higher the vote, the further up an answer is.

4
Mini Shirley H. Supporter prayer warrior
In Hebrews chapter 10:1 it says, "For the law, having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with these same sacrifices, when they offer continually, year by year, make those who approach perfect." 10:6 "In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin you had no pleasure. 10:7 Then I said Behold I have come - In the volume of the book, it is written of Me - to do your will O God. 10:9 He takes away the first that He may establish the second.." These sacrifices, offerings - are all pictures of the work of the Cross of Jesus The Christ.
The holy burnt offerings and peace offering; the most holy thank, sin, meat and trespass offering - are all representations of different aspects of our Savior and what He did for us.

To paraphrase Psalm 50; 7,9 + 14...I Am God- I know of your ritual sacrifices, burnt offerings.. But all you have given Me is mine anyway - you are performing rituals. The heathen do that! You have not gratified Me with true thanksgiving in your heart that I have made forgiveness possible.
What is sin? We are human, carnal, with finite minds. God is truly awesome, infinite. We can only glimpse what His definition of sin is. We cannot begin to comprehend it.

The burnt offering in Leviticus chapter 1 was a holy ritual offered to the priest voluntarily in recognition of sin and the need for atonement and complete dedication to God. A perfect specimen was presented, a gesture of removing the sin and placing it on the animal performed, the sacrifice was done. The fire on the altar represented God's judgement. The wood being burned represented the cross. The washing with the water represents the purity of Christ. It is a picture of Christ's death.
The fire on the altar was never to go out..this being a testimony of God's unceasing delight in Christ and His unceasing hated of sin. A picture of both atonement and wrath. A Holy Offering.

The sin offering Leviticus 6:25 "It is Most Holy." Leviticus 4:2 "Speak to the children of Israel...If a person sins unintentionally against any of the commandments..."...to me indicates that we never truly, completely understand the scope of God's mind. For this offering a similar ritual is performed. However, the priest does the work of the transfer of sin and the slaughter. In the burnt offering the offender did the transfer and the slaughter. (I believe) The offender just watched, listened trusted and believed. 

This should be familiar to we who call ourselves Christian. Believe, have faith, and trust and obey.

In Genesis 4:22, we have the story of Abraham offering Isaac. A tiny peek of the future. Abraham (God), Isaac (the begotten son)...etc. Hebrews 11:7.

My main conclusion, comparing these two offerings, is that on the one hand we realize our sin and on the other we know not what we do! It all comes down to choosing to accept what our God says by faith. Acts 22:16 "And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized and wash away your sins calling on the Name of The Lord!" AMEN

February 22 2015 1 response Vote Up Share Report


3
Mini John Appelt Supporter
Leviticus 5:7 speaks of two offerings at one time, the sin offering and the burnt offering. The difference between them is quite instructive.

Burnt offerings were voluntary offerings always signifying dedication, consecration, and whole-hearted devotion. They were not offered for sin. They were never eaten, as some offerings were, but were totally consumed by the fire. The Hebrew word is “Olah” meaning to “ascend upwards,” as if all of it was for God. The word “holocaust” comes from the Greek word for burnt offering. 

Appropriately, this offering began and ended the day, and marked the Sabbaths, the beginning of the month, the year, as well as the Jubilee year and feast days. 

Throughout Scriptures, the burnt offerings show a consistent meaning of dedication or complete devotion to God. The first mention is when Noah, coming off the ark, offered burnt offerings. Also, Abraham was told to offer his son, Isaac, as a burnt offering. Genesis 22:2-13. Then, Job offered burnt offerings to sanctify each of his children, Job 1:5. Moses demanded that Pharaoh to let Israel go to worship with burnt offerings, Exodus 10:25-26. When Elijah called on the people to choose between God and Baal, he set up an altar upon which to burn the burnt offering, I Kings 18:31-38. The thought was always dedication and consecration. 

On the other hand, sin offerings were offered for sins as the name implies. In Leviticus 5:7 the sin offering was mentioned first. The matter of sin must be first addressed and then dedication can follow. Cleansing and purification must be before dedication of one’s life to God. 

This is different from the order of the offerings given in regulations of the offerings in Leviticus 1-5. This order is the Godward perspective of the offerings which picture Christ. 

Burnt Offering - signifies Christ who dedicated Himself to do the will of God, John 8:29, Hebrews 10:7, even to the death of the cross, Philippians 2:5-8.
Grain Offering - represents Christ’s perfect life, the sincere (without leaven) and effective ministry.
Peace Offering - is Christ’s message of hope and fellowship to all who belong to Him.
Sin and Trespass Offerings – speaks of Christ cleansing and purifying all who have been defiled or have sinned unintentionally or in error.

Leviticus 6:25, 7:2 indicate the sin and trespass offerings took place where the burnt offering was slaughtered. Without the burnt offering picturing the total dedication of Christ, there could be no basis for any sin offering.

The reverse order of these offerings gives the manward perspective. 
Sins and trespasses offerings – forgiveness, I John 1:9. 
Peace offering – peace with God, Romans 5:1. 
Grain offering - fellowship with God through His Son, I John 1:3, 7. 
Burnt offering – total dedication to God, Romans 12:1.

An observation of Leviticus 5:7 is that this two-fold offering provided the poor with a way to do two offerings at one time. 

The burnt offering was always for consecration to God. The sin offering was for cleansing from sins and trespasses.

December 07 2022 1 response Vote Up Share Report


2
Mini Altair Benemerito Supporter
Burnt Offerings are discussed in detail in Leviticus 1, while Sin Offerings are discussed on Leviticus 4.

The whole animal is burnt in the case of Burnt Offerings, unless it's a bird. If it's a bird, then the feathers and it's alimentary canal is cast westward of the altar along with the ashes.

For Sin Offerings, on the other hand, only the blood and fat are offered in the Tabernacle. The rest of the animal is burnt in a clean place outside the camp. If you're a priest it has to be a bull. If you're a leader, it has to be a male goat. If you're a commoner it has to be a male goat, but if you bring a lamb, it has to be female as well.

February 16 2018 0 responses Vote Up Share Report


Add your Answer

All answers are REVIEWED and MODERATED.
Please ensure your answer MEETS all our guidelines.

What makes a good answer? ▼

A good answer provides new insight and perspective. Here are guidelines to help facilitate a meaningful learning experience for everyone.

  1. Adhere to the eBible Statement of Faith.
  2. Your answer should be complete and stand-alone.
  3. Include supporting arguments, and scripture references if possible. Seek to answer the "why".
  4. Adhere to a proper tone and spirit of love and understanding.
  5. For more info see The Complete Guide to eBible
Header
  1. 4000 characters remaining