1 ささげ物の位置づけ
ささげ物には、それぞれ共通する手順があり、それを特徴づける意味があります。共通する手順は、儀式の最初に行われる罪の贖いのための按手（犠牲動物の頭に手を置く儀式）と血の注ぎです。これらは、神との関係を回復するための贖いの行為でした。
全焼のささげ物は、神との関係を回復し、献身を表すもので、同じ手順を踏んだ後、会食を行う交わりのいけにえは、関係を回復した後に神との平和と喜びの時を楽しむためのものでした。
罪のきよめのささげ物では、同じ手順を踏んでも、焼却の扱いが全焼のいけにえとは異なります。全焼のささげ物のようにすべて焼却されますが、祭壇で焼かれるのは脂肪だけで、残りは宿営の外で焼き捨てられます（12節）。これは、罪を犯した者の違法行為によって引き起こされた汚れを取り除くためのささげ物の特徴です（レビ記4:1-5:13）。
このささげ物は、アブラハム、ノア、ヨブの時代には存在せず、彼らがささげた物は全焼のいけにえでした。モーセの時代にささげ物が五種類に分化し、「罪のきよめのささげ物」と「代償のささげ物」が特別に区別されるようになりました。
人は、様々な経験を経て心が成熟するにつれ、その結果として自覚する罪や愚かさに悩むことがあります。普通、人はそれを深く考えずに忘れようとするかもしれません。しかし、聖書は、自分を誤魔化すことも、自分の愚かさや無知、衝動的な生き方を恥じることもせず、むしろその事実と向き合い、罪を認め、神に告白し、神の赦しを受け、新しい人生を歩むように励まします。
へブル人への手紙の著者は、このレビ記の箇所の現代的な意義について解説しています。イエスは、2000年も昔、エルサレムの門外カルバリの丘で十字架につけられ、神へのささげ物とされました。それは、人の罪を取り除き、きよめるためであったと述べています。この意義を受け止め、積極的にきよめの人生を歩むようにと励ましています（へブル13:11-13）。
2 罪のきよめのささげ物の種類
罪のきよめのささげ物は、その立場によって異なります。油注がれた祭司は傷のない若い雄牛（3-12節）、イスラエルの会衆は若い雄牛（13-21節）、族長は傷のない雄やぎ（22-26節）、民衆は、その財力に応じて雌やぎ、雌羊、山鳩二羽、家鳩の雛、小麦粉をささげます（4:27-5:13）。祭司のささげ物は、イスラエルの会衆のささげ物に相当し、彼らは全国民を代表するため、その罪の影響も深刻です。また、上位者の罪は一般の人々よりも重く考えられました。一方、地位が低く財力のない者の罪も見過ごされず、必ずささげ物が必要でした。大切なのは、すべての人が規定に従ってささげ物を献げるならば、必ず神の赦しに与るということです。
3 罪のきよめのささげ物の祭儀手順の特徴と意味
レビ記の時代、罪のきよめのささげ物の手順は立場により若干異なりますが、共通するのは血の注ぎです。立場によって、祭壇に塗る場合（25、30節）と、会見の天幕に入り、聖所の香の祭壇の四隅の角に塗る場合（6、17節）があります。立場が重要であればあるほど、神の臨在の場に近づいて血を注ぐ行為が求められました。祭司は、一般の人々よりも神に近づける特別な立場にあり、彼の罪は聖所をも汚すと考えられました。そのため、彼の立場が回復されるためには聖所に入って儀式を行う必要があったのです。
今日、これらのささげ物は必要ありません。キリストが罪のきよめのささげ物として、一度限りで永遠に効力のあるものとして献げられたからです（ヘブル10:19）。大切なのは、キリストの頭に信仰の手を伸ばし、宿営の外で十字架にかけられたキリストが自分のための罪のきよめのささげ物となったことを信じ、受け入れることです。人は罪の償いを要求し、他人の犯した罪を忘れないものです。しかし神は、キリストにあって人の罪を赦し、永遠に忘れてくださるお方です。イエスの十字架によって全ての罪が完全に赦され、きよめられていると信じ、感謝と共に受け止めることが大切です。
神の祝福がありますように。では、また明日、この場でお会いしましょう。
Chapter 4: The Purification Offering
I. The Positioning of Offerings
Each offering followed a common procedure that characterized its unique significance. The shared steps included the laying on of hands (placing hands on the head of the sacrificial animal) and the sprinkling of blood. These were acts of atonement to restore the relationship with God.
The burnt offering aimed to restore the relationship with God and express devotion. The peace offering, performed after the same steps, involved a communal meal to enjoy peace and joy with God after restoration.
In the case of the purification offering, while following the same steps, the burning process differed from the burnt offering. Only the fat was burned on the altar, and the rest was burned outside the camp (Leviticus 4:12). This was to remove the impurity caused by the sinner’s unlawful actions (Leviticus 4:1-5:13).
This offering did not exist during the times of Abraham, Noah, or Job. Their offerings were burnt offerings. It was during Moses’ time that offerings were classified into five types, including the purification offering and the guilt offering.
As people mature through various experiences, they often become aware of their sins and foolishness. While it’s common to avoid deep contemplation and forget these, the Bible encourages facing these facts, confessing sins to God, receiving His forgiveness, and living a renewed life.
The author of Hebrews explains the contemporary significance of these passages from Leviticus. Jesus, the Savior of all humanity, was crucified outside Jerusalem’s gate on Calvary, serving as an offering to God to remove and purify sins. This encourages us to live a purified life (Hebrews 13:11-13).
II. Types of Purification Offerings
Purification offerings varied based on the person’s status:
The anointed priest offered a young bull without blemish (Leviticus 4:3-12).
The congregation of Israel offered a young bull (Leviticus 4:13-21).
A leader offered a male goat without blemish (Leviticus 4:22-26).
Common people offered a female goat, female lamb, two turtledoves or young pigeons, or fine flour, based on their financial ability (Leviticus 4:27-5:13).
The priest’s offering was equivalent to that of the congregation since priests represented all the people, making their sins more significant. Similarly, a ruler’s sins were considered more severe than those of ordinary people. However, the sins of the lowly and the poor were not overlooked; they also required offerings. The essential point is that everyone who offered the prescribed sacrifices received God’s forgiveness.
III. Characteristics and Meaning of the Purification Offering Ritual
In Leviticus, purification offering rituals varied slightly based on the individual’s status. The common element was the sprinkling of blood. Depending on the status, the blood was either applied to the altar (Leviticus 4:25, 30) or the corners of the incense altar inside the Tent of Meeting (Leviticus 4:6, 17). The higher the status, the closer the blood was brought to God’s presence. Priests, having special access to God, required this ritual within the sanctuary to restore their standing.
Today, these offerings are unnecessary. Christ offered Himself once, an eternally effective purification offering (Hebrews 10:19). The key is to reach out to Christ in faith, believing He became the purification offering for our sins.
The “burnt offering” was to restore the relationship with God and express devotion, while the “peace offering” was to celebrate peace and joy with God after restoration. For the “sin offering,” the fat was burned on the altar, and the rest was burned outside the camp to remove the impurity caused by the sinner’s unlawful actions (Leviticus 4:1-5:13).
The sin offering was not present during the times of Abraham, Noah, or Job. Their offerings were burnt offerings. In Moses’ time, offerings were classified into five types, including the “sin offering” and the “guilt offering.”
As people mature and reflect on their experiences, they often become aware of their sins and foolishness. The Bible encourages confronting these facts, confessing sins to God, and receiving His forgiveness to live a renewed life.
The author of Hebrews explains the modern significance of these passages from Leviticus. Jesus, the Savior of all humanity, was crucified outside the gate of Jerusalem on Calvary, serving as an offering to God to remove and purify sins. This should encourage us to live a purified life (Hebrews 13:11-13).
- Types of Sin Offerings
Sin offerings varied based on the person’s status.
The anointed priest offered a young bull without blemish (Leviticus 4:3-12).
The congregation of Israel offered a young bull (Leviticus 4:13-21).
A leader offered a male goat without blemish (Leviticus 4:22-26).
Common people offered a female goat, female lamb, two turtledoves or young pigeons, or fine flour, based on their financial ability (Leviticus 4:27-5:13).
The priest’s offering was equivalent to that of the congregation, as the priest represented all the people. A ruler’s sins were considered more severe than those of ordinary people. However, regardless of status or wealth, everyone needed to make an offering to receive God’s forgiveness. - Characteristics and Meaning of Sin Offering Rituals
During Levitical times, sin offerings had slight procedural differences based on the individual’s status. All involved sprinkling blood, but the blood was applied to different areas based on status:
On the altar (Leviticus 4:25, 30)
On the corners of the incense altar inside the Tabernacle (Leviticus 4:6, 17)
The higher the person’s status, the closer the blood was brought to God’s presence inside the sanctuary. Priests had a special role that allowed them closer access to God, so their sins were considered to defile the sanctuary. Thus, their restoration involved entering the sanctuary.
Today, these offerings are no longer necessary. Jesus was offered once as the ultimate, eternally effective sin offering (Hebrews 10:19). The key is to reach out to Christ in faith and believe that He became the sin offering for us on the cross.
People often demand reparation for sins and hold onto grudges. But God, through Christ, forgives and forgets our sins eternally. Believing that all sins are completely forgiven and purified through Jesus’ cross is essential. May God’s blessings be upon you. See you again tomorrow.