Our Bible Reading

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Jul 30, 1912

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 39, No. 29.

Our Bible Reading

Shadows and Offerings

1. What is the first record we have of the typical offerings?

"And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the Lord. And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering: but unto Cain and to his offering He had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell." Gen. 4: 3-5.

2. Did Abraham build altars to the Lord?

"And the Lord appeared unto Abram, and said, Unto thy seed will I give this land: and there builded he an altar unto the Lord, who appeared unto him." Gen. 12: 7. See also verse 8; chapter 13: 4; etc.

3. What was the evident purpose for which these altars were erected?

"And they came to the place which God had told him of; and Abraham built an altar there, and laid the wood in order. . . . And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son." Gen. 22: 9-13.

4. What was the significance of the offerings themselves?

"For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling them that have been defiled, sanctify unto the cleanness of the flesh: how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish unto God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?" Heb. 9: 13, 14.

"For the bodies of those beasts whose blood is brought into the holy place by the high priest as an offering for sin, are burned without the camp. Wherefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people through His own blood, suffered without the gate." Heb. 13: 11, 12.

5. What is the significance of one of the names which Christ bears?

"And she shall bring forth a Son, and thou shalt call His name Jesus: for He shall save His people from their sins." Matt. 1: 21.

6. Why was He made an offering for us?

"Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works." Titus 2: 14.

7. Read a text in which He is spoken of as the Lamb whose blood was offered.

"Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot." 1 Peter 1: 18, 19.

8. When did the shadowy, typical offerings of the old dispensation meet their fulfilment and cease?

"Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to His cross; and having spoiled principalities and powers, He made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it. Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holy day, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ." Col. 2: 14-17.