The Ram in Scripture (4)—Trespass Offering - All The LORD is near Daily Devotionals for 2024

And his trespass-offering shall he bring to Jehovah, a ram without blemish out of the small cattle according to thy valuation, as a trespass-offering unto the priest. And the priest shall make atonement for him before Jehovah, and it shall be forgiven him.
Leviticus 6:6-7 JND

The Ram in Scripture (4)—Trespass Offering
In this section we are reminded that every sin against our neighbor is first of all a sin against God (Lev. 6:2). This is a solemn reminder. In this portion of Leviticus we are given some very specific sins that may be committed, such as stealing from someone. The trespass offering is also called a "guilt offering," for the individual who brought it was guilty before God.

In verse 5, we read that the guilty individual was to restore the principal and add the fifth part to it. This offering presents Christ to us as the One who "restored that which [He] took not away" (Ps. 69:4). He alone could answer to God for all the things in which we robbed God (Mal. 3:8). But He not only answered for our sins, but He has added the fifth part to it. F. W. Grant explained that, as one fifth is two tenths, in one tenth Christ brought glory to God, and in one tenth He secured blessing. This blessing is for you and me! Who could do this but One who is an Almighty Savior?

The ram had to be taken from among the small flock. Christ became Man so that He might die for men, for, "By one man sin came into the world" (Rom. 5:12). So He became Man, the Lamb of God, in order that He might take away sin (Jn. 1:29).

The ram offered as a trespass offering made atonement, so that the one who brought it might be forgiven. But Christ has secured for us "eternal redemption" (Heb. 9:12) through His work. If a man in Israel brought a ram, the next week he might have to bring another one. But Christ died once for all (Heb. 9:26; 10:10, 12)! May we praise Him!

-- Kevin Quartell