The seriousness of a ruler's sin, even when unintentional, is emphasised by the second most costly sin offering - that of,

Leviticus 4:23 "... a kid of the goats, a male without blemish."

When rulers fail in the commandments of the Lord in doing what should not be done, or unintentionally diminishing the word of the Lord's command - they infect the people they rule and lead, with their sin. They breed disdain for God's Word among the people, and the practice of careless wandering away from God and His government of their lives. We are to be mindful of those anointed leaders who have taught the Word of God, not their own word, whose faith we can follow because of their integrity.

Hebrews 13:7 "Remember those who rule (marg, lead) over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct."

Leaders need to act with sober assessment of the outcome of their conduct - and in the light of their sure accountability to the Lord. (Hebrews 13:17 )

Individual sin always has personal consequences for both the sinner and others. Under the Levitical provision any one person of the common people doing something against the commandments of the Lord, was to offer a female goat or lamb (Leviticus 4:27-35 ), costly enough to bring home the consequences of personal sin. It must not be overlooked that sin against God's command is direct sin against God as well as sin against others. While sexual misconduct is sin against God's expressed will - the immorality itself disadvantages and defrauds another. In a context dealing with immoral conduct we are told,

1 Thessalonians 4:4-7 "that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, ... that no one should take advantage of and defraud his brother in this matter, because the Lord is the avenger of all such, ..."

God in His loving kindness provided in the Levitical law for those who because of poverty could not bring a lamb as a sin offering. Such could instead bring two turtle doves or two young pigeons (Leviticus 5:7 ). It was thus made possible for all who sinned unintentionally to be restored to access to God for his service. This points to the availability of Christ to bring the sinner into acceptance and into restored serving relationship with God. In this Levitical setting steps are clearly traced that lead to restoration of access to God, and restoration to service, for New Testament sinning servants. Steps that lead to restoration are:

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First - The Step Of Confession

Leviticus 5:5 "And it shall be, when he is guilty in any of these matters, that he shall confess that he has sinned in that thing. "

Compare Leviticus 4:22.

1 John 1:9 "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. "

Confession is to be definite, not vague. Specific not general.

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Second - The Step Of Substitution

Leviticus 5:6 "and he shall bring his trespass offering to the Lord for the sin which he has committed ..."

1 John 1:7 "... the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin."

Our substitute is Jesus "the Lamb of God" (John 1:29 ). The sinning worker can only experience renewed access and restoration through active faith in Christ Jesus standing in his place before God as the Lamb that takes away his sin. Resolutions - frantic efforts to do better - taking up a greater work load will not restore the sinning servant. It is only the blood of Jesus that can cleanse and loose from the guilt and snare of sin.

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Third - The Step Of Identification

With confession (Leviticus 5:5 ) there had to be the deliberate act of identification.

Leviticus 4:29 "And he shall lay his hand on the head of the sin offering ..."

Identification not only with the substitutionary work of Christ, but with Him as the perfect servant of the Father who works His perfect servant hood in the imperfect servant. There needs to be a recognition of His ability to work His wonderful perfections in and through us in pleasing the father.

The varied choice of sacrifice represented Christ's perfections in service. The ox speaks of His persistent service - the lamb speaks of His submissive service - the dove speaks of His anointed service. He is the Perfecter of His perfect service in us, keeping us from unknowing and unintentional failure.

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QUESTIONS FOR GROUP INTERACTION

What are the essential steps to take in being restored to God and His service (Leviticus 4:22-23; 5:5; 1 John 1:9 )?