2. The Sacrificial System Established (Leviticus 4)
God showed how He was going to solve the problem of sin. The life of a clean animal was poured out so that the life of the repentant sinner could be saved. The lamb was a symbol of Jesus, who gave His life in the place of ours. Sin is the transgression of God’s Holy Law.
“For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it for you on the altar to make atonement for your souls, for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul.” Leviticus 17:11
But divine love had conceived a plan whereby man might be redeemed. The broken law of God demanded the life of the sinner. In all the universe there was but one who could, in behalf of man, satisfy its claims. Since the divine law is as sacred as God Himself, only one equal with God could make atonement for its transgression.
A system was then established requiring the sacrificing of beasts, to keep before fallen man that which the serpent made Eve disbelieve, that the penalty of disobedience is death. The system of sacrifices was to teach man humility, in view of his fallen condition, and lead him to repentance, and to trust in God alone, through the promised Redeemer, for pardon for past transgression of His law. Christ in His Sanctuary p.30 EG White
