The Law of the Burnt Offering is a significant aspect of the sacrificial system outlined in the Old Testament, primarily in the Book of Leviticus. This offering is one of the earliest and most frequently mentioned sacrifices in the Hebrew Scriptures, serving as a foundational element of Israelite worship and devotion to God.

Biblical Foundation

The instructions for the burnt offering are detailed in Leviticus 1:1-17 and further elaborated in Leviticus 6:8-13. The Hebrew term for burnt offering, "olah," signifies that which ascends, reflecting the offering's complete consumption by fire, symbolizing total dedication to God.

Purpose and Significance

The burnt offering was a voluntary act of worship, atonement, and commitment. It was intended to express devotion, seek atonement for unintentional sins, and symbolize the worshiper's complete surrender to God. Unlike other offerings, the burnt offering was entirely consumed on the altar, with no portion reserved for the priest or the offerer, signifying the totality of the offering to God.

Procedure

The procedure for the burnt offering is meticulously outlined in Leviticus. The offering could be a bull, a sheep, a goat, or a bird, depending on the offerer's economic status. The animal had to be a male without blemish, symbolizing purity and perfection.

1. Presentation: The offerer would bring the animal to the entrance of the Tent of Meeting, laying hands on its head to symbolize identification and transfer of sin (Leviticus 1:3-4: "He is to lay his hand on the head of the burnt offering, so that it may be accepted on his behalf to make atonement for him.").

2. Slaughter and Blood Ritual: The animal was then slaughtered, and the priests would sprinkle its blood around the altar, signifying purification and atonement (Leviticus 1:5).

3. Preparation and Burning: The animal was skinned and cut into pieces. The priests arranged the pieces, along with the head and fat, on the altar's wood fire. The entrails and legs were washed with water before being placed on the altar (Leviticus 1:6-9).

4. Complete Consumption: The entire offering was burned, creating a pleasing aroma to the LORD (Leviticus 1:9: "It is a burnt offering, an offering made by fire, a pleasing aroma to the LORD.").

Priestly Role

The priests played a crucial role in the burnt offering. They were responsible for maintaining the altar fire, ensuring it never went out, as a perpetual symbol of divine presence and acceptance (Leviticus 6:12-13: "The fire on the altar must be kept burning; it must not go out. Every morning the priest is to add wood to the fire, arrange the burnt offering on it, and burn the fat portions of the peace offerings on it. The fire must be kept burning on the altar continually; it must not go out.").

Theological Implications

The burnt offering underscores themes of atonement, dedication, and worship. It prefigures the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who offered Himself wholly to God, fulfilling the sacrificial system's requirements once and for all. The complete consumption of the offering symbolizes the total surrender and consecration expected of believers, reflecting a life wholly devoted to God.

Historical Context

In the ancient Near Eastern context, burnt offerings were not unique to Israel. However, the distinctiveness of Israel's burnt offering lay in its theological significance and the covenantal relationship it represented between God and His people. The offering was a constant reminder of God's holiness, the seriousness of sin, and the need for atonement and reconciliation.

The Law of the Burnt Offering, as part of the broader Levitical sacrificial system, provided a means for the Israelites to maintain a right relationship with God, emphasizing the importance of obedience, purity, and wholehearted devotion.