Sanctification

Rabbi Ken Alpren
Sermon Notes by Teresa Bennett, Pharm.D.
March 12, 2011

Leviticus 1: 1-10, ADONAI called to Moshe and spoke to him from the tent of meeting. He said, 2 "Speak to the people of Isra'el; say to them, 'When any of you brings an offering to ADONAI, you may bring your animal offering either from the herd or from the flock. 3 If his offering is a burnt offering from the herd, he must offer a male without defect. He is to bring it to the entrance of the tent of meeting, so that it can be accepted by ADONAI. 4 He is to lay his hand upon the head of the burnt offering, and it will be accepted on his behalf to make atonement for him. 5 He is to slaughter the young bull before ADONAI ; and the sons of Aharon, the cohanim, are to present the blood. They are to splash the blood against all sides of the altar, which is by the entrance to the tent of meeting. 6 He is to skin the burnt offering and cut it in pieces. 7 The descendants of Aharon the cohen are to put fire on the altar and arrange wood on the fire. 8 The sons of Aharon, the cohanim, are to arrange the pieces, the head and the fat on the wood which is on the fire on the altar. 9 He is to wash the entrails and lower parts of the legs with water, and the cohen is to cause all of it to go up in smoke on the altar as a burnt offering; it is an offering made by fire, a fragrant aroma for ADONAI.

Judaism has been described as a religion of action whereas Christianity has been defined by beliefs. There is something wrong with just believing without action. We are called to a life devoted to Him because we are His.

Malachi 3:16-18, Then those who feared ADONAI spoke together; and ADONAI listened and heard. A record book was written in his presence for those who feared ADONAI and had respect for his name. 17 "They will be mine," says ADONAI-Tzva'ot, "on the day when I compose my own special treasure. I will spare them as a man spares his own son who serves him. 18 Then once again you will see the difference between the righteous and the wicked, between the person who serves God and one that doesn't serve him.

When we are His, we are distinguished by the fact that we serve Him!

It’s not about what we believe so much as in Whom we believe!

2 Timothy 1:12, and this is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, because I know him in whom I have put my trust, and I am persuaded that he can keep safe until that Day what he has entrusted to me.

The Sacrificial System described in Leviticus illustrates many facets of the Messiah as well as our devotion to Him, our right relationship to Him as well as our service to Him and through Him. They also beautifully illustrate aspects of our salvation and our sanctification.

There were five offerings described in Leviticus; the Burnt Offering (olah), Grain Offering (minchah), Peace Offering (shl’mim), Sin Offering (chatat) and Guilt Offering (asham). The Sin and Guilt Offerings were obligatory; whereas, the Burnt, Grain and Peace Offerings were voluntary.

The Sin and Guilt Offerings or obligatory offerings were required for forgiveness of sin and therefore are representative of our Salvation and the voluntary offerings represent our Sanctification! The Sin and Guilt Offerings signified our need to amend our relationship with G-d and the Burnt, Grain, Peace Offerings reflect our desire to improve our relationship with Him!

The Sin and Guilt Offerings provided atonement for forgiveness of sin and the Burnt, Grain and Peace Offerings resulted in a ‘satisfying aroma’.

The Burnt Offering symbolizes the complete submission or giving of oneself to the L-rd. This sacrifice not only produced a satisfying aroma but was also completely consumed; even burnt to a crisp with nothing left. Oleh is related to ascend or draw near to G-d submitting one’s will completely to Him.

This same principle is illustrated in 1 Peter 3:4, ‘rather, let it be the inner character of your heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit. In God's sight this is of great value.‘ A gentle and quiet spirit is one that is submitted, resting in His finished work as we are in our spiritual relationship with the L-rd as our Husband.

Colossians 2:6, ‘Therefore, just as you received the Messiah Yeshua as Lord, keep living your life united with him.’

And as we live our life united to Him, we are a ‘satisfying aroma’. Don’t we want our lives to be totally His and resulting in a ‘satisfying or sweet aroma’? Totally in His service as described in Romans 12:1? As such we are totally His, pleasing to Him and able to serve the eternal purpose for which He called us. We are available to Him and what He can do through us. That is sanctification; to grow more in Him as we give ourselves to Him!

Further Reading: Leviticus 4:14-20, Isaiah 43:22-25, Isaiah 53:5-8,10, 2Corinthians 2:15-16, Hebrews 10:11-13, 18-22, 1 John 2:1-2, Ephesians 3:11, 1John 3:2-3, Philippians 3:21, Romans 8:29, John 9:30, Psalm 130:4, Galatians 5:16, Ephesians 5:2, Ezekiel 20:41, Philippians 4:18