Walk In Newness of Life Pt. 16 Abraham Questions, Offered Sacrifice, Points to Christ

We have seen steps of faith as Abraham walked in newness of life but we also saw a deviation from faith when he went "down into Egypt." We saw him ride to the rescue of his nephew Lot, in spite of facing insurmountable odds, because he knew God would help him. We saw Abraham receive an immediate answer from God and great promises, after he voiced his questions, concerns and cares to Jehovah. We saw Abraham believe God and his faith was counted for righteousness. 

Abraham asked one more question.

Genesis 15:7-8  And he said unto him, I am the LORD that brought thee out of Ur of the Chaldees, to give thee this land to inherit it. 8)  And he said, Lord GOD, whereby shall I know that I shall inherit it? 

Jehovah Elohim is the name of God used in this text. Jehovah is the great "I Am", the self existent God who inhabits eternity but dwells with those who have humble hearts and contrite spirits. He is the unchanging God who will keep His promises and fulfill His word. Elohim is the God of creation, the sustainer of the universe and the sovereign ruler of all.  

Continuing His speech with Abraham, Jehovah reminded the patriarch that He was the One who brought him out of his idolatrous homeland. He guided Abraham to the land of Canaan and promised that he would inherit this good land flowing with milk and honey.

Abraham had one additional question for God. He wanted to know how he would inherit the promised land. What unfolds next in this chapter is something referred to as a "king and vassal treaty." These were common in ancient times but there is one major distinction in this treaty that is not found in any other similar treaties, that I will point out. 

God commanded a specific sacrifice. 

Genesis 15:9-10  And he said unto him, Take me an heifer of three years old, and a she goat of three years old, and a ram of three years old, and a turtledove, and a young pigeon. 10) And he took unto him all these, and divided them in the midst, and laid each piece one against another: but the birds divided he not. 

God commanded Abraham to prepare a specific sacrifice of a heifer, a ram, a goat, a dove and a young pigeon. He instructed Abraham how to cut them into pieces, how to lay them in order upon an altar and how the blood of these innocent substitutes was to be shed in the process of the sacrifice. 

We noted previously that Genesis 15 is the first time we see the phrase "the word of the LORD came." It was also the first time we see God saying "Fear not." 

Genesis 15 also contains the first reference to 5 animals of sacrifice: heifer, ram, she goat, turtledove, pigeon. It contains the first time that the Hebrew word for "divided" is used which means to chop up by cutting, to divide. It is also the first time that the word "carcasses" is used. It is also the first time the word "inherit" is used in conjunction with eternal life and the kingdom of God.

The spiritual significance of this passage is clear. The wages of sin is death and all who sin will die. The only way for man to approach holy God is by making a sacrifice according to what God said to do. An innocent animal must be killed for our sins and it's blood must be applied as a covering. When the Old Testament saints complied by faith to do what God said to do, their faith was counted for righteousness. 

The five sacrificial animals of Genesis 15.  

A Heifer. The next usage is Numbers 19 telling us about the red heifer ordinance used to purify those ritually unclean through handling a corpse-purification from sin. "Purification" means cleansing from guilt and removing the pollution of sin; the extinction of sinful desires, appetites and inclinations. It means removing all that defiles us and has the idea of washing our sins away in the blood of Jesus Christ. 

Numbers 19:9-10 And a man that is clean shall gather up the ashes of the heifer, and lay them up without the camp in a clean place, and it shall be kept for the congregation of the children of Israel for a water of separation: it is a purification for sin. 10) And he that gathereth the ashes of the heifer shall wash his clothes, and be unclean until the even: and it shall be unto the children of Israel, and unto the stranger that sojourneth among them, for a statute for ever.

A Ram. We will look at the reference in Exodus 29. Sacrificing a ram is connected to "consecration."  To consecrate something is devoting or setting apart of anything for the exclusive worship or service of God. It means to declare something or someone sacred and reserved for God. 

Exodus 29:15-22  Thou shalt also take one ram; and Aaron and his sons shall put their hands upon the head of the ram. 16) And thou shalt slay the ram, and thou shalt take his blood, and sprinkle it round about upon the altar. 17) And thou shalt cut the ram in pieces, and wash the inwards of him, and his legs, and put them unto his pieces, and unto his head. 18) And thou shalt burn the whole ram upon the altar: it is a burnt offering unto the LORD: it is a sweet savour, an offering made by fire unto the LORD. 19) And thou shalt take the other ram; and Aaron and his sons shall put their hands upon the head of the ram. 20) Then shalt thou kill the ram, and take of his blood, and put it upon the tip of the right ear of Aaron, and upon the tip of the right ear of his sons, and upon the thumb of their right hand, and upon the great toe of their right foot, and sprinkle the blood upon the altar round about. 21) And thou shalt take of the blood that is upon the altar, and of the anointing oil, and sprinkle it upon Aaron, and upon his garments, and upon his sons, and upon the garments of his sons with him: and he shall be hallowed, and his garments, and his sons, and his sons' garments with him. 22) Also thou shalt take of the ram the fat and the rump, and the fat that covereth the inwards, and the caul above the liver, and the two kidneys, and the fat that is upon them, and the right shoulder; for it is a ram of consecration: 

A She goat. We find in Numbers 15 that the she goat used as a "sin offering" for those who sin through ignorance. There were people who did not know the law of God and their lack of knowledge caused them to sin. In other Old Testament examples, people sinned ignorantly because the will of God had not yet been revealed about a certain action (See Leviticus 24:10-16; Numbers 15:32-36). 

Numbers 15:27-29 And if any soul sin through ignorance, then he shall bring a she goat of the first year for a sin offering. 28) And the priest shall make an atonement for the soul that sinneth ignorantly, when he sinneth by ignorance before the LORD, to make an atonement for him; and it shall be forgiven him
29) Ye shall have one law for him that sinneth through ignorance, both for him that is born among the children of Israel, and for the stranger that sojourneth among them.  

A Turtledove & a young pigeon.  Both of these birds were sacrificed for an "atonement."  The word "atonement" means expiation; satisfaction or reparation made by giving an equivalent for an injury, or by doing or suffering that which is received to satisfy an offense against God. The word translated "atonement" is the same word translated as "pitch" in Genesis 6 when the ark was sealed with pitch or a bituminous substance. It means to cover up or to cancel something. It is the idea of cleansing, purging, pardoning, reconciling and receiving mercy from God. 

Leviticus 12:6-8 6) And when the days of her purifying are fulfilled, for a son, or for a daughter, she shall bring a lamb of the first year for a burnt offering, and a young pigeon, or a turtledove, for a sin offering, unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, unto the priest:  
7) Who shall offer it before the LORD, and make an atonement for her; and she shall be cleansed from the issue of her blood. This is the law for her that hath born a male or a female.  8) And if she be not able to bring a lamb, then she shall bring two turtles, or two young pigeons; the one for the burnt offering, and the other for a sin offering: and the priest shall make an atonement for her, and she shall be clean.  

The common elements of the sacrifices point to Jesus Christ. 

They are all substitutionary in that they take the place of the sinner. Jesus took our place on the cross (Galatians 3:13).

They are all innocent animals. Jesus did not sin but He took our sins upon Himself (1 Peter 2:21-25).

They are all without defects, disease or blemish. Jesus Christ perfectly fulfilled the righteousness of the law and please the Father in all respects (1 Peter 1:16-22). 

They are all killed by man as the sinner identifies with the sacrifice for his own sins. Jesus was killed by the Jews, Romans and Gentiles (see Acts 2:22-24; Acts 2:36; Acts 3;14-16; Acts 4:8-12).

The animal's all have their blood shed & their bodies are consumed on the altar. Christ offered His blood on the altar of God in heaven and is now our Great High Priest (Hebrews 9:11-28; 10:1-18).

Thoughts to Ponder...

Abraham had faith because it is recorded that he believed God. Yet, like us, Abraham had doubts and worries and things in life that were a great burden to him. He asked questions so that he could gain a better understanding of what God promised.

We would do well to follow Abraham's example of praying to the Lord and giving Him all of our cares, worries, concerns and doubts. We can also ask questions in order to better understand the truly great and marvelous promises that we have in Christ Jesus. 

God told Abraham to prepare a sacrifice of five specific animals. Each animal had some spiritual significance. Sacrificing a heifer was connected to personal purification. Sacrificing a ram was connected to being consecrated or sanctified by God for His purposes and kingdom work. Sacrificing a she goat was a sin offering for those who sinned in ignorance. Sacrificing the turtledove or pigeon was for the purposes of atonement and bringing the sinner back into a right relationship with God. 

We noted the unique characteristics that clearly connect each sacrificial animal with the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross for all of mankind.

This sets us up to study the actual parts of the king and vassal treaty in our next post. All of these things remind us how essential and central the cross of Calvary truly is. 

We must never forget what it cost our Father to save us from our sins and grant us eternal life. The birth of Jesus Christ was God entering into the space, matter and time continuum in order to redeem us to Himself. Jesus lived a perfect life and no one could accuse Him of any sin. He fulfilled God's law for us. 

Jesus' death on the cross is the most singular event in human history. Christ fulfilled all of the types, pictures and previews of Messiah that were given by the Old Testament prophets. Sin was paid for; death, hell and the devil were defeated; and our salvation made perfect and sure by His resurrection.

May Jesus Christ be praised.

Bob