5. Kill the bullock. We cannot believe that a normal individual would take pleasure in plunging a knife into an innocent victim, even though that victim be only an animal. Yet God required this act of the offerer. In later times the priests did the slaying, thought it was God’s original intent that the sinner himself should do so. This must have been a painful and distressing experience for the sinner, because he knew that it was his sin that made the death necessary. It must have impressed him with the determination to “go, and sin no more.” He saw vividly before him the result of sin. It meant not only death, but the death of an innocent one. What other result could this ceremony have than to create in the transgressor a hatred for sin and a solemn resolve to have no more to do with it?
The first lesson God wanted to teach Israel through the sacrificial system was that sin means death. Again and again this lesson was impressed upon their hearts. Every morning and evening throughout the year a lamb was offered for the nation. Day after day the people brought their sin offerings and their burnt offerings to the sanctuary. In each case an animal was slain and the blood ministered in the appointed place. On every ceremony and on every service was stamped the lesson: Sin means death.
This lesson is needed as much in our time as it was in the days of old. Some Christians hold sin too lightly. They think of it as a passing aspect of life that mankind will outgrow. Others consider sin regrettable but unavoidable. All need to have impressed indelibly upon the mind the lesson that sin means death. The specifically states that “the wages of sin is death” (Rom. 6:23), but many fail to grasp the importance of the statement. A more realistic conception of sin and death as being inseparably connected would help much in an appreciation and understanding of the gospel. For the Christian this holds an important lesson. We were guilty, not He. A contemplation of the cross should bring to us first a feeling of guilt, then of revulsion from sin, and finally profound thankfulness to God that through death comes salvation. Christ died for me. I should have died, for I sinned, and “the wages of sin is death.” But Christ died for me; He went to Calvary in my place! How adequate the provision! How wonderful the love!
Sprinkle the blood. The offerer had finished his work. He had brought his sacrifice, confessed his sin, and slain the victim. Now the ministration of the blood began. A priest had stood by as the blood gushed forth, and had caught it in a vessel. He now ministered the blood by sprinkling it round about upon the altar of burnt offering. The word here translated “sprinkle” literally means “to scatter.” It is used of scattering dust (Job 2:12), live coals (Eze. 10:2), water (Num. 19:13), etc. According to the the officiating priest scattered the blood against the altar at two places, the northeastern and southwestern corners, in such a way that it would touch all four sides of the altar. For sanitary reasons this was probably done on the inside of the altar. The unused portion of the blood was poured out at the bottom of the altar. Later, at the Temple in Jerusalem, surplus blood was disposed of by means of a tile drain, which conveyed it to the brook Kidron.
God sought to impress upon Israel that forgiveness of sin can be obtained only through confession and the ministration of blood. They were to realize the infinite cost of forgiveness. It is more than merely overlooking faults. It cost God something to be able to forgive; it cost a life, even the life of His own Son.
To some the death of Christ appears unnecessary. God could, or should, they think, forgive without Calvary. The cross does not seem to them an integral and vital part of the atonement. It would be well if Christians today contemplated more than they do the cost of their salvation. Forgiveness is not a simple matter. Through the ceremonial system God taught Israel that forgiveness can be had only through the shedding of blood. We need that lesson now. In the sacrificial system of Israel are to be found the fundamental principles of holy living. The is fundamental. He who is thoroughly grounded in it will be able to erect a superstructure that will not fall when the rains descend and the winds blow. He will be “built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone” (Eph. 2:20).