Leviticus 4:13-14 - Homilies By W. Clarkson

Collective guilt unconsciously incurred.

We learn from the special provision made for the "sin in ignorance" of "the whole congregation of Israel "—

I. THAT , THOUGH GOD DEALS PRIMARILY WITH INDIVIDUAL SOULS , HE HAS DIRECT RELATIONS WITH COMMUNITIES . Ordinarily, constantly, God comes to the individual soul, and says, "Thou shalt" or "Thou shalt not;" "My Son," do this and live, etc. But he has his Divine dealings with societies, with secular and sacred communities also; with

II. THAT COMMUNITIES , AS SUCH , MAY INCUR HIS CONDEMNATION . A "whole congregation,'' an entire people, may sin ( Leviticus 4:13 ).

1 . The nation: witness the Jewish people, again and again denounced and punished.

2 . The Church: witness the Churches of Galatia (Epistle to Galatians), the Churches of Asia Minor ( Revelation 2:3 ).

3 . The family.

III. THAT THIS GUILT MAY BE CONTRACTED UNCONSCIOUSLY . "The thing be hid from the eyes of the assembly" ( Leviticus 4:13 ).

1 . The Jewish nation, "through ignorance, killed the Prince of Life" ( Acts 3:15 , Acts 3:17 ). Under some of the better and worthier emperors as well as under the viler, Rome martyred the Christians, thinking them injurious to that human race which they were regenerating.

2 . The Church of Christ has unconsciously fallen, at different times and places into

3 . Families fall into

IV. THAT RECOGNITION OF WRONG MUST BE IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWED BY PENITENCE AND FAITH . When "the sin was known," the congregation was to "offer a young bullock," etc. ( Leviticus 4:14 ). Let every nation, Church, society, family:

1 . Remember that it is fallible, and may fall unconsciously into sin.

2 . Readily, and with open mind, receive expostulation and warning from others.

3 . Upon conviction of wrong, resort in penitence and faith to the all-sufficient Sacrifice of which the sin offering was the type.—C.