Thursday: A Transforming Reparation Offering
Isa: 53:10-12
What does it mean that the Servant’s life is “an offering for sin” (Isa: 53:10, NRSV)?
Image © Dave OConnell at Goodsalt.com
The Hebrew word refers to a “guilt/reparation offering” (Lev: 5:14-6:7, Lev: 7:1-7), which could atone for deliberate wrongs against other people ( Leviticus 6:2-3). Such sins were singled out by Isaiah ( Isaiah 1:1-3:26; Isaiah 10.1-2; Isaiah 58:1-14). Also, the sinner must restore to the wronged person that which was taken, plus a penalty, before offering the sacrifice to receive forgiveness from God (Lev: 6:4-7; compare Matthew 5:23-24). In a case of inadvertent misuse of something that belongs to God, the reparation goes to Him (Lev: 5:16).
Now we can understand Isaiah 40:2, where God comforts His exiled people by telling them they have paid enough reparation for their sins.
But following the reparation, there must be a sacrifice. Here it is in Isaiah 53: God’s Servant, instead of a ram, is led like a sheep to the slaughter (Isa: 53:7) on behalf of people who have gone astray (Isa: 53:6).
Although “cut off from the land of the living” (Isa: 53:8, NRSV; compare Dan: 9:26), completely consumed in the sacrifice that kindles the flame of hope for us, the Servant comes forth from death, the land of no return, to receive exaltation, see His “offspring,” and prolong His days (Isa: 53:10-12).
Look up each of the following verses. How does each one reflect the same basic message as Isaiah 53?
| If someone were to ask you to summarize in a single paragraph the good news of Isaiah 52:13-53:12, what would you write? |
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As part of my study for this week's lesson I revisited the perceptions that observant Jews had about the sacrificial system. To a large extent Christians have accepted that the sacrificial system pointed forward to Christ but this is largely a Christian construct, based on Jesus interpretation and the writings of Paul. I accept that interpretation, but it is helpful to understand the sacrificial system from a Jewish point of view.
To a large extent, the sacrificial system is regarded simply as payment for your sins. You had sinned, and as a result you paid for your sins by sacrificing an animal. Typically the animal was a lamb, but exceptions were made, particularly when the nation became more urbanised. Turtledoves and even flour could be used, I assume by those who were unable to provide a lamb.
There is another aspect of the sacrificial system that is largely overlooked in the Christian era. Apart from the burnt offering, where the whole carcase was consumed, much of the meat from a sacrifice was cooked and eaten by the priests or participants. Sometimes this was done in the Temple environs and at others it was taken away and eaten elsewhere. This helps explain the large number of animals killed at the dedication of Solomon's Temple. They provided food for the festivities. So, not only was the sacrifice a time for the forgiveness of sin, it was also the occasion to celebrate that forgiveness and the opportunity of a new beginning.
The prophets, notably Isaiah and Amos, railed against the use of sacrifices as an attempt to appease God while continuing to practise sin. It became almost like the Papal indulgences, where it was perceived that you could do what you liked as long as you paid for it.
Modern observant Jews mostly do not want to return to the sacrificial system, largely because the Temple no longer exists. Among some orthodox Jews there are those who believe in the return of a messianic age where the temple services will be restored, but it is not a majority view.
I think that sometimes we are rather judgemental of the ancient Jews in that they did not see the sacrificial system as pointing to a "servant Messiah". The real issue with the Jews was they thought observing the sacrificial ritual was more important than changing their hearts.
And with all our knowledge and reinterpretation of temple system in the Christian era, are we any better?
It took David a long time before he got the message. His prayer should be ours:
Maurice this statement is so accurate. "The real issue with the Jews was they thought observing the sacrificial ritual was more important than changing their hearts."
The Jews wanted to give God sacrifices so they could "have God" and His blessings but they were unwilling to give themselves as the sacrifice. And we modern-day Christians are the same.
Until from a heart of love we put ourselves on the altar of sacrifice, we will be locked out the promised hope of heaven (future),and the joy that salvation brings in the sin-sick world while yearning for the promised abundant life in Jesus (present).
...God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. We are told in Romans 5:8, that God moved from a heart of love to give all He had to save us. He demonstrated extravagant, weasteful love and emptied heaven.
What are you moved to put on the altar of sacrifice? Your tithe? Attendance at church eeekly? Sabbath keeping? Good deeds?
If your answer was to list things you do, you might need to rethink whether you have brought a living sacrifice that has not yet died. #todietoChrististolive
I agree, the jews know their scripures, as it is their own language. Whereas the RSV translates in Leviticus 26:41: "So that I walked contrary to them and brought them into the land of their enemies; if then their uncircumcised heart is humbled and they make amends for their iniquity." If I understand the english correctly, to amend means: to improve, to change a behaviour, to make some kind of improvement. As to how this is accomplished, the prophet Ezekiel will tell us (Ezekiel 36:26-27). However, this is not what the text says. It reads like this: "Therefore will I oppose them and drive them into the land of their enemies (to see) whether they will humble their uncircumcised heart; and then they will pay for their iniquity."
This is a payment for sin being said in view of what was going to happen during the babylonian exile. Having the exile in view, the prophet Isaiah says: "Inspite of their double shame and humilation they will be very, very happy of their inheritage; therefore, in their land, they will inherit a double portion." (Isaiah 61:7) Full judgement over against full grace expressed in language of doublication (Revelation 14:8). I wonder, as to whether Isaiah 40:2, within the context of comfort could or could not be translated like this: "For their servitude is full; for their guilt has been paid for; for she has received out of the hand of Jahwe a double portion in her sin." Again, the juxtapposition of grace and judgement, which is pointing to the cross where judgement and grace both meet each other in the culmination of salvation, prefigured in the Old Testament.
Winfried Stolpmann
The Jews might not have been expecting a Suffering Messiah but they were expecting a King in the line of David to deliver them from oppression.
Here are some of the prophecies: Ezekiel 37:24-28; Jer 23:5-6; Jer 30:9; Hos 3:5; Eze 34:23-24; Micah 5:2; Zech 9:9; Luke 1:32-33; Luke 1:67-75.
Eze 37:24 KJV And David my servant shall be king over them; and they all shall have one shepherd: they shall also walk in my judgments, and observe my statutes, and do them.
Jer 23:5 KJV Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth.
Zech 9:9 KJV Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.
Mic 5:2 KJV But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.
Luk 1:32-33 KJV (Gabriel said to Mary) He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: (33) And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.
Luk 1:67-75 KJV And (John the Baptist's) father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying, (68) Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people, (69) And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David; (70) As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began: (71) That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us; (72) To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant; (73) The oath which he swore to our father Abraham, (74) That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear, (75) In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life.
If I were asked to summarize these verses in a paragraph, I would write:
God created us in His image, with freedom of expression and choice. With the freedom given, our first parents rebelled against God’s government. God never left us, He promised to become one with us. As Emanuel, He suffered because of our sins with an intensity that can’t be comprehended by humans, yet He kept the law of God. He took on Himself the consequences of our sins so we could have the reward of His success if we believe on Him. He’s in a high position in Heaven now and makes intercession for those who’ve sinned, which is all of us. Those who believe in Him are conquering through Him. He will see the desire of His heart fulfilled in the end. We will be completely restored to God.
Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord imputeth not iniquity and in whose spirit there is no guile. Ps 32:1-2.
A Transforming Reparation Offering
I took some time looking at the different types of offering found in the bible. I found 7.
1.Peace 2.Wave 3.Heave 4.Sin 5.Burnt 6. Trespass 7.Meat
Sin and trespass offering committed required the same sacrifices. Lev 7:7. All offerings were for different reasons.
As I cont to study the bible I realized the people of old was as the people of today-evil. If not evil, why would the Lord gave them all those laws, statues and judgements and ordinances?
As I studied more, I always knew there were a difference between sin, trespass, and iniquities. The bible specifically mentioned what the people were to do/took for the sin offering and what the people were to do/took for the trespass offering.
Many Christians when ask will say, all are the same but the are used interchangeable. That is not true. Ps 32:5.
By Christ dying on the cross, what did he nailed to the cross? Or what was nailed to the cross? What are we not to observe, what are we still to keep/observed?
Jesus came as the sin offering for us. Our debts are so great we cant finish paying it in our lifetime. We became debtors to Jesus, we owe him. It is our bodies we are called to present daily as a living sacrifice to God. Romans 12:1-2. Be totally sold out to Jesus. Accept his ways as is written in his words.
I believe for man to fully understand the Mysteries of Heaven is an attempt in futility. 1Cor.13:12KJV ”For now we see through a glass, darkly (or, in a riddle); but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I Know even as also I am known.”
I think analytically and am very intrigued by God’s Mystery of our Salvation, being aware that it will not be revealed completely. Anointed prophets have been sent to speak the Word of God’s Mystery of man’s Redemption. This same Word of God is still used to speak to us today and askes to be believed.
Yes, indeed, “what does it mean that the Servant’s life is “an offering for sin” – it means an offering to restore true life in us! I think that everyone who believes the Gospel comes to the point where he will want to understand; it is a fundamental question which maturing Christians want to know the answer to.
As I understand the transforming Reparation /Redemption/Restoration offer(ing): ‘A gift used for the deliverance of man from sin/iniquity to give him the ability to end the life of iniquity and live righteously in Christ'. It is this act that, if accepted, gives man a rebirth - a new identity in righeousness.
All mankind is born into iniquity/sin and cannot help but live this life in the flesh and its inherent iniquity/sin until he is made new in Christ. What does it mean to be in Christ?
2Cor.5:17- ”Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
v.18 - And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself *by* Jesus Christ, and has given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
v.19 – To wit(ness), that God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses(iniquity/sin) unto them (the world any longer); and hath committed unto us the *Word of reconciliation*.
v.20 - Now then we are *ambassadors* for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to GOD.
v.21 - ”For He hath *made Him*(gave His Son a body like man) to be sin for us, who knew no sin (when He was in Haven with the Father): that we might be made the *Righteousness of GOD* IN Him."
I believe that these inspired Words are enough to answer the question posed in today’s lesson. It was the Father’s Will, and I believe His only choice based in Love, to redeem mankind from its state of iniquity/sin. The Father needed to allowed His Son to become flesh/man and so share in the state of iniquity of fallen mankind.
By putting on the body of flesh as a man, He bound Himself to man’s state of iniquity/sin, but remained the unblemished/sinless man and so was able to be the *offering* for man’s iniquity/sin.
Sin and iniquity are synonymous terms; man, born in/into iniquity cannot of himself bring forth anything other than acts of iniquity. But Christ’s unwavering Faith in His Father’s promise and His Love of mankind to redeem them, overcame the temptations of the inequities presented by the tempter of the flesh - He remained pure.
Generations have waited for the fulfillment of God’s promise to send His Redeemer, and it has been a long road to help man to become aware of his fallen state; to help him understand that he is fallen, cursed to be born to live in this state of decay is difficult to comprehend.
But the New Life has arrived in His Son, who had become like us but sinned not; through faith we can be born again in Christ.
All man have sinned/became iniquity in the first Adam and are no longer able to share in the Glory of God. Through and in His Son Christ Jesus, the second Adam, mankind has been given the choice to become born again, able to live once more in the Glory of God's righteousness:
Through His stripes we were healed: Phil.3:9 -”And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith.
Without a perfect life of righteousness, the death of the Servant could not propitiate for the sinner. The sacrifice must be a holy sacrifice, without any blemish or stain. In this way alone could the law(justice/righteousness) be magnified and mercy offered.
Many more passages could be added to these listed above that reflect the same message of Isaiah 53. One beautiful representation is found in Genesis 22, and another in Numbers 19(look closely at this one to find it).
SSQ: "If someone were to ask you to summarize in a single paragraph the good news of Isaiah 52:13–53:12, what would you write?"
One could simply recite John 3:16 with one or more of the adjacent verses. There are also many gospel hymns that would be very fitting, such as “Amazing Grace”, or “And Can It Be?”, etc.
As I read this weeks lessons and the posts, I contemplate what was done for us once. Romans 10:6. I am filled with emotion of His unconditional love. I see the light shining from the Cross of Christ revealing the love of God. His love is drawing me to Himself. I don’t resist His drawing, leading me to the foot of the Cross in repentance for my sins that have crucified my Saviour. I ask the Spirit of God to produce a new life in my soul. My thoughts and desires are brought into obedience to the will of Christ. He works in me. Then I say with Christ, “ Lo here am I, oh my God, I am here to do Thy will.” Hebrews 10:7. Psalms 40:8.
The prediction of Christ death laying to rest the ceremonial laws and keeping the heart conversion process in light of the Cross is in the Psalms text and context. And then confirmed post event by Paul in Hebrews 10. It is not a new Gospel, the Gospel is no longer reliant on outward duties and heart consecration, but now reliant on our hearts conviction to do Gods will, without the ceremony that pointed to the Cross, that is no longer needed.
Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. Acts 16:31.
And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. Acts 8:37.