Lev 4:26 | KingComments | STEP | The third category of which the LORD speaks to Moses is a leader of the people who sins. The sin of a leader does not endanger the fellowship of the whole people with God. Therefore a smaller offering can be offered. Yet his sin is serious. The sin of a leader can be applied to the sinning by one who holds a responsible position in the midst of God’s people (cf. ). Such a person leads others. His example is of great importance. If he sins, it is a serious matter. It is about a sin he committed unintentionally. This is evident from the words “if his sin which he has committed is made known to him” ( ; ). It may be that someone has made him aware of this. We could say that the service of foot washing was done to him ( ). It is not pleasant to point out sin to anyone. Yet it is a service. If we let sin exist in a person’s life without pointing it out, we actually hate him ( ). Sin makes one unhappy, for it makes it impossible for him to have fellowship with God and his fellow believers. The leader must confess his sin, openly. He does this by going to the priest at the altar with a sin offering. He must see how the animal is slain in his place. The blood is put on the horns of the altar of burnt offering, but not brought into the sanctuary as in the case of a sin of the anointed priest or of the whole congregation. That the blood must be put on the horns of the altar of burnt offering is because there too the peace offering is brought, which speaks of fellowship with God and with the other members of the people of God. That is what we have in the Table of the Lord. If anyone has sinned, fellowship with God and with each other is only possible again after confession and looking to the offering of Christ. On the basis of the offering can be said: “And he will be forgiven” ( ). Then the joy of forgiveness comes back ( ). With the Israelite, repetition of the offering is always necessary. He only knows the certainty of forgiveness after having brought an offering. When he commits a new sin, he must come with a new offering. The Christian may know the certainty of the forgiveness of all his sins on the basis of the once for all accomplished work of Christ ( ). If he sins, Christ must not die again for him, but he must confess his sin. Then God is “faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins” ( ), on the basis of the once for all accomplished work of Christ.

‏ Leviticus 4:26

When a Leader Has Sinned

The third category of which the LORD speaks to Moses is a leader of the people who sins. The sin of a leader does not endanger the fellowship of the whole people with God. Therefore a smaller offering can be offered. Yet his sin is serious. The sin of a leader can be applied to the sinning by one who holds a responsible position in the midst of God’s people (cf. 1Tim 5:19-20). Such a person leads others. His example is of great importance. If he sins, it is a serious matter.

It is about a sin he committed unintentionally. This is evident from the words “if his sin which he has committed is made known to him” (Lev 4:23; Lev 4:28). It may be that someone has made him aware of this. We could say that the service of foot washing was done to him (Jn 13:1-10).

It is not pleasant to point out sin to anyone. Yet it is a service. If we let sin exist in a person’s life without pointing it out, we actually hate him (Lev 19:17). Sin makes one unhappy, for it makes it impossible for him to have fellowship with God and his fellow believers.

The leader must confess his sin, openly. He does this by going to the priest at the altar with a sin offering. He must see how the animal is slain in his place. The blood is put on the horns of the altar of burnt offering, but not brought into the sanctuary as in the case of a sin of the anointed priest or of the whole congregation.

That the blood must be put on the horns of the altar of burnt offering is because there too the peace offering is brought, which speaks of fellowship with God and with the other members of the people of God. That is what we have in the Table of the Lord. If anyone has sinned, fellowship with God and with each other is only possible again after confession and looking to the offering of Christ.

On the basis of the offering can be said: “And he will be forgiven” (Lev 4:26 ; 31 ; 35). Then the joy of forgiveness comes back (Rom 4:6-8). With the Israelite, repetition of the offering is always necessary. He only knows the certainty of forgiveness after having brought an offering. When he commits a new sin, he must come with a new offering.

The Christian may know the certainty of the forgiveness of all his sins on the basis of the once for all accomplished work of Christ (Heb 10:1-14). If he sins, Christ must not die again for him, but he must confess his sin. Then God is “faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins” (1Jn 1:9), on the basis of the once for all accomplished work of Christ.