An in depth study of the Sacrifices in Leviticus begins to reveal aspects of God’s grace worth knowing. Grace is a hard concept for us to learn in a culture that puts great value on the competitive spirit and personal achievement. So, when God gives us something as indescribably glorious as an invite into His heaven only for the asking [faith] we start looking for the “catch” when, beside loving Him, there is none! This truth has been hidden in “the mystery of Godliness” [1 Timothy 3:16] from the hearts of the very people commissioned to safeguard it from all pagan influence: “…unto them were committed the oracles of God” [Romans 3:2]. But there were the exceptions, those individuals who knew somehow within themselves that despite the severity of their crime, God would provide a forgiveness that outclassed the sacrifices.
Sins of Ignorance
In the story of grace so far l mentioned that only “sins of ignorance” could be atoned [forgiven] in the Sin and Trespass offerings. These sins were always and only considered “in ignorance” because they were not outright defiance or rebellion against God but a mere wandering or staggering off the right path due to our nature and imperfection in following them [Leviticus 4:2].We pointed out that rebellion was not a candidate for forgiveness within the Old Testament sacrificial system but both David and Isaiah understood (correctly) that God’s mercy supersedes the sacrifices in providing forgiveness and cleansing from even a rebellious spirit. In Psalm 51:3 David confessed, “I acknowledge my transgressions [my rebellions].” There were 2: adultery and murder.
Willful Disobedience
There is no sense in which David could call these sins “in ignorance” but a willful disobedience. Numbers 15:28 would not apply! “…the soul that sins ignorantly, [the priest shall] make an atonement for him; and it shall be forgiven him.” The Greek says that ignorance means against one’s will, coerced—not the result of free will. And even though this is not the Hebrew idea, it is theologically close enough. Because of Adam’s transgression we are all said to be under sin’s sway [Psalm 19:13; Romans 7:14].
In Psalm 19:12 David added “Who can understand his errors?” And then asked God, “cleanse thou me from secret faults.” When we sin ignorantly and not because we planned to but, perhaps, in the heat of temptation, a sense of guilt only comes later! David cried, “Lord, please restore my innocence!”
Renewal – Restoration
This brings us to another word study that is found in Hebrews 6:6 [King James reads “renew”] “If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance…” The writer spoke here of the benefit of the sacrifices through a sense of God’s forgiveness to “renew a right spirit within,” as David wrote in Psalm 51:10. The only problem was that David’s sin against God [Psalm 51:4] was not in ignorance—according to the Levitical Law! Still David wanted to be “restored” or, as the Greek defines this word, “brought back to the peace he knew before he did what he did.” As Hebrews 10:2 [NKJV] reads, “no more consciousness of sins.” [The NLT reads “their feelings of guilt would have disappeared”].
All the sacrificial system could promise was restoration, not transformation! But David sensed that God’s forgiveness extended beyond only “sins of ignorance” when He asked God to restore within him that sense of God’s peaceful approval and assurance [Psalm 51:8]. Isaiah went further, noting that a real and permanent restoration would come through the Savior’s death: Isaiah 53:5 [King John Interpretation] “They thrust a spear in His side because we rebelled and defied God ….” And the prophet agreed with David that even rebellion was now under the umbrella of grace!
What David didn’t know was that God would more than restore, He would transform the heart of anyone coming to Him in faith for forgiveness [Ezekiel 36:26]. The Amplified on Titus 3:5 called this “the new birth (spiritual transformation, regeneration) and renewing [a transforming] by the Holy Spirit” [Romans 12:2; 2 Corinthians 4:16; Colossians 3:10].
Transformation
Transformation speaks of complete, permanent, and a different, new, “man” [or woman]. Restoration takes us back to a feeling of innocence before the rebellion but, as we have learned, that place never existed for real [Romans 5:12]. Jesus provided through Calvary a transformation, a new life in Him. One can see how Paul could see the “Law” in a different light, as a school master to bring us to Christ that we might be justified by faith” [Galatians 3:24] and why we now no longer need it [Galatians 3:25].
