Leviticus 4 discusses the sins which are taken care of by the purification offerings. We talked about this in the last post. These are limited to those sins that are committed inadvertently. In 5:1-13, however, the scope of the offering is extended to include sins through omission or neglect. Omission carries the idea of a failure to do something one can and should do. Sometimes it is inadvertent – though that word is not used in Leviticus 5 – while at other times it is willful. Regardless of the intent, the issue is that omission and neglect is a sin and one that a person needs to be forgive from. Thus an offering had to be made.
Leviticus 5:1-13 addresses sins that were both inadvertent and non-defiant. This is an important distinction. In the Old Testament, flagrant, defiant violations could not be dealt with by an offering (Numbers 15:30). We can tell the difference between the inadvertent and defiant violations here because there seems to be a mitigating factor in each of these, a sense of “I forgot…” in verses 2-4.
Another key is that in Leviticus 5:1-13, something or someone happens that causes the person to realize what they have done (or not done) was wrong. When that awareness occurs, the sinner immediately brings a sin/purification offering.
The point of this is that when we realize we have messed up, we make things right, not simply by confessing the sin but by actually working to make things right. When a person does not confess the violation and set things right with God (ultimately) and/or another person (if involved), punishment will follow.
The key to these sins of omission and neglect is not only confession but afterwards, following through with what the person knows to be right. Jonathan Edwards noted that “sacrifice does not take the place of known duty.” I Samuel reminds us of that principle when the prophets tells us “to obey is better than sacrifice.” Sometimes saying “I’m Sorry!” just doesn’t cut it. We have to do what we know is right after realizing we have neglected the holiness of God, otherwise, punishment will follow.
Amos 1-2 develops this idea in a very real way. The prophet comes on the scene and declares the message of God. “The people of … have sinned again and again, and I will not let them go unpunished!” Each nation that Amos mentioned continually neglected human justice or living out the commands of God. Over time, God said, “Enough!” and took out his punishment upon the nations. God gave them evidence of their sin, and time to correct their sin. When change didn’t happen, God executed his justice, not mercy, which are two sides of God’s love. Delay in fulfilling a command of God constitutes sin and can lead to His punishment in our life.
Have people in your life – whether a spouse, a co-worker, a boss, or a friend – noted character flaws in your life? Have you felt a sense of guilt for something? If so, have you confessed that to God and others (if needed) and made the needed changes, which will be small and gradual sometimes and complete at others? If not, ask the Father to show you areas in your life where adjustments are needed. Look back through your a journal and see where you have noted changes that are needed. Or ask a dear friend, someone you trust, to help show you areas where your character or behavior may be lacking or where you have neglected to carry out the message, command, or will of God. The writer of Proverbs reminds us that “Wounds from a sincere friend are better than many kisses from an enemy. (27:6, NLT)”
It is better for us in the long run to avert the punishment of God.
You think about that…
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