Leviticus 4:13-21 - Homilies By J.a. Macdonald

Sin offering for the congregation.

The congregation of Israel sustained a twofold character, viz. a political and an ecclesiastical; for it was at once a Nation and a Church. Here we have—

I. THE SIN OF A NATION . Leviticus 4:13 .

1 . The commandments of the Lord concern nations.

2 . Therefore nations may sin against him.

(a) In asking a king to be like them ( 1 Samuel 8:7 , 1 Samuel 8:8 ).

(b) In their idolatries ( 1 Kings 12:26-30 ; 2 Kings 21:11 ).

They became demoralized by licentiousness and violence ( Isaiah 1:4 ).

II. THE SIN OF A CHURCH .

1 . The commandments of the Lord concern Churches.

2 . These Churches are responsible to God.

III. THE OFFERING FOR SIN .

1 . Communities are punished in this world.

(1) This is evident from the nature of the case. There is no future resurrection of communities. Disintegration to a community is its utter extinction.

2 . Punishment may be averted by sacrifice.

3 . There is no mercy for willful sin.