Wednesday, May 13, 2015

Leviticus 6: Repairing Relationships

One key to understanding the system of law and sacrifice in Leviticus is that it is designed to repair relationships - between the people and God as well as among the people themselves.

In the beginning of Leviticus 6, we find that not just offerings are required when someone sins inadvertently.  There is also the recompense that is needed for the injured party.

"You shall repay the principal amount and shall add one-fifth to it.  You shall pay it to its owner when you realize your guilt" (vs. 5).  So if you found that you had unintentionally defrauded your neighbor of $100, you would return the $100 to your neighbor and add another $20.  In this way, the human relationships involved are meant to be healed.

This recompense is not "instead" of an offering, but in addition to, as the next verse makes plain: "And you shall bring to the priest, as your guilt offering to the Lord, a ram without blemish from the flock, or its equivalent, for a guilt offering" (vs. 6).

Both atonement with God and atonement with your neighbor may be sought after and secured under the sacrificial system.

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