Leviticus 4:13-14 “ ‘If the whole Israelite community sins unintentionally and does what is forbidden in any of the Lord’s commands, even though the community is unaware of the matter, when they realize their guilt and the sin they committed becomes known, the assembly must bring a young bull as a sin offering and present it before the tent of meeting.
Sometimes I reread the previous day’s reflection and shake my head, wondering what I was thinking. Yesterday’s was one such reflection, when I came across this gem, “…the sin offering was solely and specifically to atone for sin and not for any personal gain.”
Leviticus 4:15 The elders of the community are to lay their hands on the bull’s head before the Lord, and the bull shall be slaughtered before the Lord.
Being forgiven of our sins is absolutely about personal gain, about gaining the ability to be free from the shackles of yesterday’s mistakes, about gaining the ability to be forgiven for every single mistake and misstep. What I meant yesterday was that the one bringing the sin offering couldn’t partake of the meat or leather, but the absurdity of the wording just struck me today.
Leviticus 4:16 Then the anointed priest is to take some of the bull’s blood into the tent of meeting.
Precious Savior, Thank You for the personal gain that comes to me when I come to You with my sin and shame, my mistakes and missteps, asking You, once again, to forgive me, to wash me clean, to “Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me” (Ps 51:12). Forgive me and help me to forgive myself. Amen.
Leviticus 4:17 He shall dip his finger into the blood and sprinkle it before the Lord seven times in front of the curtain.
Have a blessed day.