God’s economy expressed in Israel’s sacrifices

In the SpendaYearwithJesus Torah reading schedule, the Sabbath reading for this week picks up the theme of God’s economy from Leviticus 1:1–6:6. (Jesus could not join the worshippers in the synagogue. He was banned—implied from John 9:22.)

These chapters of Leviticus outline the offerings that the people of Israel brought to the Temple as part of God’s economy—the burnt offering (ch. 1), the grain offering (ch. 2), the fellowship offering (ch. 3), the sin offering (ch. 4), and the guilt offering (5:15).

When was the last time you talked with someone about animal sacrifice? How did the conversation go? At best, sacrifice is a clinical consideration of ancient religions; at worst, a disgusting artifact better left in the past.

Yet just a few nights ago, I participated in an important part of the practice of sacrifice in ancient Israel—i.e., eating the sacrifice. It is part of my Texas experience and economy. At dinner with friends, we consumed part of a cow. I had ribs and my friend had a porterhouse steak.

As you read the first chapters of Leviticus, it is easy to get caught up in the practice of the ritual, the sprinkling of the blood, the disposal of the innards. Much of what one observes, however, is normal for any butcher shop.

Don’t miss the part where the worshippers and the priests eat. During his life, Jesus participated in the religious system outlined in the Law of Moses, including, I assume, eating steak or lamb chop.

Jesus also stated at one point that he came to fulfill the Law (Matthew 5:17). I wonder how Jesus fulfills God’s economic intention expressed in the sacrifices?