Leviticus 1:10-17 - Homilies By J.a. Macdonald

The burnt offering of the flock and of the fowls.

The ceremony of the offering of the flock is almost identical with that of the herd described in the verses preceding. In that of the fowls there is a wider dissimilarity.

I. the VARIETY OF THE VICTIMS CLAIMS ATTENTION .

1 . Five or six kinds of victims were accepted.

2 . But what are the lessons conveyed in this variety?

II. THERE ARE NOTABLE OMISSIONS .

1 . The placing of the offerer's hand upon the head of the victim.

2 . The flaying of the skin.

3 . Instead of the "door of the tabernacle of the congregation" which is mentioned in connection with the herd, "northward" is the term used in connection with the flock (comp. Leviticus 1:5 , Leviticus 1:11 ). These expressions are generally synonymous ( Leviticus 7:2 ). Standing at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, the worshipper held communion with God and with the whole congregation. He stood at the north side of the altar, because that was the place of rings to which the victims were fastened in order to be slain. The hill of Calvary also was situate northwest of Jerusalem. How humiliating that our communion with God and his Church must be through suffering and blood!

III. DIFFERENCES ARE NOTICEABLE IN THE BURNT SACRIFICE OF FOWLS .

1 . In this case two birds were brought.

2 . They were cloven but not divided.

3 . The crop and feathers were cast into the place of ashes.