Leviticus 4:1-9 - Homilies By S.r. Aldridge

Unintentional transgression.

God is the source of authority and law. From him instructions emanate. His words are to be communicated to the people. Like unto Moses, ministers and teachers receive truth not to secrete it in their own breasts, but to impart it for the guidance of those under their charge. "The Lord spake,… saying, Speak unto the children of Israel." May we listen carefully, lest the utterances of the "still small voice" should be misheard, and the counsels intended for comfort and direction prove a false light, speeding the unconscious traveler to the very pitfalls he was to avoid.

I. THE UNIVERSALITY OF TRANSGRESSION . Provision is announced for cases of sin, and the possibility of its commission by all classes is thus shown.

1 . The ordinary citizen may err; one of "the people of the land" (see Leviticus 4:27 ). Poverty and obscurity are not safeguards against unrighteous acts.

2 . The man of rank, the "ruler" ( Leviticus 4:22 ) or prince, is liable to sin. Honour and responsibility do not guarantee or produce immunity from transgression.

3 . The whole congregation ( Leviticus 4:13 ) is not exempt, for collective wisdom and might are not effectual barriers against the encroachments of unlawful desire and action. In the multitude of counselors safety is often thought to lie, but the "people" may do wickedly as well as an individual. This was exemplified at Mount Sinai and Baal-peor, and modern instances abound. Even

4 . The man specially consecrated to holy service, the "anointed priest" ( Leviticus 4:3 ), may incur guilt and bring punishment upon the people. How cautious we should be! What searching of ourselves with the candle of the Lord; what prayer for knowledge and strength should distinguish us all!

II. THE POSSIBILITY OF UNINTENTIONAL TRANSGRESSION . A distinction is intimated between sin that arises from mistake ("ignorance," Leviticus 4:2 ), that is at first "hid" from perception and afterwards becomes known ( Leviticus 4:13 , Leviticus 4:14 ), awaking penitence and a desire to undo the wrong perpetrated, and sin that is willful, committed with a high hand, with an attitude of defiance, a sin against light and knowledge. Inadvertent sinning is possible through

III. THE GUILT OF SUCH TRANSGRESSION . This is assumed by the atonement necessary to shield the doer from penalty, and by the expressions employed in Leviticus 4:13 , Leviticus 4:22 , and Leviticus 4:27 . "Guilty" refers to the consequences of sinning, the state of wrath into which the sinner enters, and the moral devastation to which he is liable, and from which preservation is possible only through an offering. Learn, then, that ignorance does not of itself excuse violation of God's commands, but it permits resort to such an atonement as will procure God's forgiveness. Paul said, "I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly and in unbelief." Whereas if we sin willfully, there is no more sacrifice for sins. The soul that doeth presumptuously shall be cut off from among the people.—S.R.A.