Chapter 5
My wife and I have been married for almost 20 years at the time of writing this. That might sound like a long time to some, but I know others who’ve been married much longer—so to them, we might still seem like newlyweds.
When I was younger and just starting out in marriage, I’d meet couples who had been together for 20 years or more and think, “Wow, they must really have this marriage thing figured out.” Now that I’m almost there myself, I realize, “Wow, I still have so much to learn!”
One thing I have learned is that relationships are always growing and changing. You never truly “arrive.” Over time, some early struggles do get worked out—especially when both people put in the effort. The issues may come up less often and might not feel as intense. But challenges still come. There’s always something new to face and grow through together.
I think I’ve mentioned this before, especially for those of you who’ve read along with me over the years, but it’s worth saying again because it fits so well with this chapter of Leviticus. One thing I really appreciate about my wife is her willingness to help me correct myself. When we were first married, her pointing out where I was off track could be frustrating. But as I’ve grown to understand her heart, I’ve come to see that her corrections were acts of love. She wasn’t trying to control or criticize me out of pride. She wanted to help me become the man God created me to be.
That’s part of being partners in life. It reminds me of Proverbs 27:17:
“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.”
It’s a great verse—but the process isn’t always easy. Still, I challenge you to pause and really listen when those sharpening moments come. Consider what’s being said before you react.
This verse came to mind while I read this chapter in Leviticus, especially because of the repeated phrases like “become aware” and “come to realize.” The truth is, we all do wrong things. It’s just part of being human. God knows this, and in Leviticus, He makes room for that. Sometimes we sin without even realizing it; other times, we know exactly what we’re doing. Either way, God gives us a way to restore the relationship.
It all starts with awareness. But awareness is just the beginning. Once we recognize something’s wrong, we have to choose how to respond. What we do next shapes our relationships—with others and with God.
Yes, Jesus has already forgiven all our sins—past, present, and future. But when we become aware of our sin and bring it to Him, that’s part of staying in active relationship with God. And like any relationship, it takes effort from both sides. The more you put in, the more you get out. The deeper the love, the deeper the connection.
This chapter in Leviticus is about responsibility and staying connected to God. Back then, they showed that through offering sacrifices. For us, the sacrifice is Jesus. The method has changed, but the heart behind it hasn’t. Confession and connection are still just as important today as they were back then.
Confession isn’t about feeling ashamed or beating yourself up. It’s about seeing sin clearly and remembering how much we need Jesus. It reminds us of His grace and mercy—shown through His constant forgiveness. Not just once, but every day.
1 ” ‘If anyone sins because they do not speak up when they hear a public charge to testify regarding something they have seen or learned about, they will be held responsible. [often referred to as the sin of omission. Shutting up, not getting involved, burying your head in the sand when you know something, but fear the consequences or just plain don’t care how your silence may cause another to suffer.]
2 ” ‘If anyone becomes aware that they are guilty–if they unwittingly touch anything ceremonially unclean (whether the carcass of an unclean animal, wild or domestic, or of any unclean creature that moves along the ground) and they are unaware that they have become unclean, but then they come to realize their guilt; 3 or if they touch human uncleanness (anything that would make them unclean) even though they are unaware of it, but then they learn of it and realize their guilt; 4 or if anyone thoughtlessly takes an oath to do anything, whether good or evil (in any matter one might carelessly swear about) even though they are unaware of it, but then they learn of it and realize their guilt– 5 when anyone becomes aware that they are guilty in any of these matters, they must confess in what way they have sinned. 6 As a penalty for the sin they have committed, they must bring to the LORD a female lamb or goat from the flock as a sin offering; and the priest shall make atonement for them for their sin.
7 ” ‘Anyone who cannot afford a lamb is to bring two doves or two young pigeons to the LORD as a penalty for their {trespass} [a trespass is knowingly crossing a boundary against the law] sin –one for a sin offering [atonement or payment of sin always has to be dwelt with first] and the other for a burnt offering. [the burnt offering symbolizes the renewed commitment, and holiness. First the sin, then the cleansing.] 8 They are to bring them to the priest, who shall first offer the one for the sin offering. He is to wring its head from its neck, not dividing it completely, 9 and is to splash some of the blood of the sin offering against the side of the altar; the rest of the blood must be drained out at the base of the altar. It is a sin offering. 10 The priest shall then offer the other as a burnt offering in the prescribed way and make atonement for them for the sin they have committed, and they will be forgiven. [Just as Jesus atoned for our sins and guilt, and through that we are made clean, and forgiven.]
11 ” ‘If, however, they cannot afford two doves or two young pigeons, they are to bring as an offering for their sin a tenth of an ephah of the finest flour for a sin offering. They must not put olive oil or incense on it, because it is a sin offering. 12 They are to bring it to the priest, who shall take a handful of it as a memorial portion and burn it on the altar on top of the food offerings presented to the LORD. It is a sin offering. 13 In this way the priest will make atonement for them for any of these sins they have committed, and they will be forgiven. [Jesus made a way possible for all to receive forgiveness.] The rest of the offering will belong to the priest, as in the case of the grain offering.’ ”
The Guilt Offering
14 The LORD said to Moses: 15 “When anyone is unfaithful to the LORD by sinning unintentionally in regard to any of the LORD’s holy things, [Here we can miss an important key as we wander through these nuances of Old Testament Law. What are the real Holy Things of God? If we remember Matthew 22:37-40 where Jesus defined the two priorities for God’s law: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Then the Holy Things of God are people. Consider that and the importance of these verses.] they are to bring to the LORD as a penalty a ram from the flock, one without defect and of the proper value in silver, according to the sanctuary shekel. It is a guilt offering. 16 They must make restitution for what they have failed to do in regard to the holy things, pay an additional penalty of a fifth of its value and give it all to the priest. [There will be times that more than a confession to God may be needed when you have sinned against another, even unintentionally. Especially if you caused them to stumble in their walk with God.] The priest will make atonement for them with the ram as a guilt offering, and they will be forgiven.
17 “If anyone sins and does what is forbidden in any of the LORD’s commands, even though they do not know it, they are guilty and will be held responsible. 18 They are to bring to the priest as a guilt offering a ram from the flock, one without defect and of the proper value. In this way the priest will make atonement for them for the wrong they have committed unintentionally, and they will be forgiven. 19 It is a guilt offering; they have been guilty of wrongdoing against the LORD.”
