| We have passed over chapter 3 which describes the peace offering. It symbolizes in a beautiful way a heart which knows forgiveness so is at rest in Christ. Now in chapter 4 the details of the sin offerings are set out. The first three offerings described in Leviticus were voluntary. The sin offerings had to be made. If a man wanted to be accepted before God, he had to show it. It was no good bringing the offering if there was no repentance or faith. In the Old Testament God often spoke through the prophets about an outward form that had no inner meaning. In this long chapter, a sinning priest comes before us first of all. Sin, especially that of a servant of God is never dealt with lightly or carelessly in the Bible. In one translation (NASB) verse 3 reads 'If the anointed priest sins so as to bring guilt on the people ...'. This is one of the greatest tragedies in the Christian church-a leader who sins and takes his people with him or brings shame on the church and the name of Christ. None of us live to ourselves. What we do for good or bad always affects the lives of others. What is the answer to sin? It is not 'I am going to do better or I am going to be different'. The priest or person concerned had to bring an offering. Forgiveness had to be centred around the recognition of sin and the shedding of blood from an innocent victim. The offerer had to place his hand on the head of the animal, thus identifying himself with the sacrifice. The Hebrew words say 'he shall lean hard'. That offering, as an open admission of repentance and the desire for forgiveness, was the sinner's only hope. The offering had to be killed. It not only had to be a perfect animal, but its blood had to be shed and applied. When this was done in faith, the sinner was forgiven. Notice verses 20, 26 and 31. Can you apply these principles to Christ, our sacrifice and to ourselves as sinners today? | 
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