When We Miss the Mark: The Sin Offering and Our Savior

Listen to today’s passage – Leviticus 1 – 4 

Follow along on Blue Letter Bible – Leviticus 1

Second Milers also read – Luke 23 – 24; Proverbs 3; Psalms 16 – 20

Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – Deuteronomy 32:4

Read the “0203 Evening and Morning” for today by Charles Spurgeon

Read a previous post from this passage – “It Is Finished.“

What Is a Sin of Ignorance?

In Leviticus 4, a “sin of ignorance” (or unintentional sin) refers to a violation of God’s commandments done without deliberate intent or full awareness at the time. The Hebrew term often translated as “through ignorance” or “unintentionally” (from the root shagag) implies straying, erring, or wandering from the right path—perhaps through oversight, human weakness, forgetfulness, or lack of full understanding of the law’s application.

  • Examples include accidentally breaking a commandment (e.g., unknowingly touching something unclean or failing in a duty due to negligence).
  • The sin becomes apparent later, leading to a sense of guilt (Leviticus 4:27–28: “when he realizes his guilt”).
  • Importantly, ignorance does not excuse the sin—sin is still sin because it violates God’s holy standard, even if unintentional. The offering provides atonement once the sin is recognized, restoring fellowship with God.

The chapter outlines procedures based on who sinned:

  • The anointed priest (high priest).
  • The whole congregation.
  • A ruler/leader.
  • An individual common person.

In each case, the sinner (or representatives) lays hands on a blemish-free animal (bull, goat, etc.), transfers guilt symbolically, and the priest slays it. Blood is applied to the altar (or sprinkled in the sanctuary for higher-status sins), fat is burned, and atonement is made: “the priest shall make atonement for him… and he shall be forgiven” (e.g., Leviticus 4:35).

Distinguishing from Sins That Are Not “of Ignorance”

These are deliberate, premeditated, or presumptuous sins—often called “sins with a high hand” (Numbers 15:30–31). They involve willful defiance, rebellion against God, or knowing rejection of His commands.

  • Intentional/presumptuous sins show contempt for God’s law and authority (Numbers 15:30: “But the person who does anything presumptuously… blasphemes the Lord”).
  • No provision for atonement through the regular sin offering existed for these; the offender was “cut off” from the people (often meaning death or exclusion from the community/covenant).
  • Example: The man gathering sticks on the Sabbath in Numbers 15:32–36 acted defiantly against a clear command, resulting in execution.

The key distinction is the heart’s posture:

  • Sins of ignorance stem from human frailty, weakness, or unawareness (still serious, requiring atonement).
  • Presumptuous sins involve deliberate rebellion, hardening the heart against God.

Both are sins, but the response differs based on intent and repentance.

How This Ties into Our Relationship with Christ Today

The sin offering in Leviticus 4 points forward to Jesus Christ as the ultimate, perfect fulfillment. The Old Testament sacrifices were shadows—temporary and repeated—covering sins but never fully removing them (Hebrews 10:1–4). Jesus provides the final, once-for-all solution.

  • Jesus is our sin offering: God “made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin” (2 Corinthians 5:21). He became the blemish-free sacrifice, bearing our guilt.
  • He covers all sins: His blood atones for unintentional sins (our everyday failings, weaknesses, and ignorances) and, through genuine repentance, even willful ones when we turn back to Him (1 John 1:9: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness”).
  • Eternal redemption: Unlike the repeated animal sacrifices, Christ’s death was “once for all” (Hebrews 9:11–14, 26–28; 10:10–14). He entered the heavenly sanctuary with His own blood, securing eternal forgiveness and cleansing our conscience.
  • No more sacrifices needed: We don’t offer animals today; we come to God through faith in Christ’s finished work. His sacrifice purifies us, restores fellowship, and enables us to live in obedience—not out of fear of punishment, but gratitude for grace.

In our relationship with Christ:

  • We acknowledge our sinfulness (even “hidden” or ignorant sins—Psalm 19:12).
  • We confess and repent, trusting His blood to cleanse us.
  • We rest in His forgiveness, growing in holiness by the Spirit’s power.
  • We avoid presumptuous sin by not hardening our hearts (Hebrews 3:7–13), but when we stumble, we find mercy through our High Priest who sympathizes with our weaknesses (Hebrews 4:14–16).

This devotion reminds us: God’s holiness demands payment for sin, but His love provides the perfect Lamb—Jesus—who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29). Praise God for His provision! May we live in humble dependence on Christ, daily confessing and rejoicing in His complete atonement.


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