2.5. PLEASING REPARATION - TRESPASS OFFERING (Leviticus 5:14 - 6:7, 7:1-10)

Chapter 6 deals with sins committed knowingly - wrongs done to men, which are thought to be sins against God.

Leviticus 6:2 "If a person sins and commits a trespass against the LORD ..."

There follows in the verse sins done to men - that God regards as sins done to Himself. Acts of fraud by lying to his neighbour (Leviticus 6:2 ). The example is given of being entrusted with something to keep for another, and lying that it had been lost or stolen. To defraud in this way is to trespass against God. Having been entrusted with the gospel, have we trespassed against the Lord by failing to witness to others? Or have we by carelessness failed to bring sinners to Christ? Could it be that we have not lovingly exhorted and strengthened weak believers entrusted to our care, and so allowed them to drift from the Lord? Have we defrauded God by failing to pray for those given to our charge. Samuel was faithful:

1 Samuel 12:23 "Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you; but I will teach you the good and the right way."

How careful we should be not to sin against the Lord about our giving. A New Testament example is that of Ananias and Sapphira. (Acts 5:1-11 ). How up-to-date the sin of lying about entrusted money - the defrauding of insurance companies by claiming the loss to be greater than actually so. How sobering to find that God sees such actions as done against Himself.

"Finders are keepers" is not in God's law. Keeping what is not your own is a trespass against the rightful owner and against God. Such sin as described in Leviticus 6:2-5 disqualify workers from working for God. In many respects the trespass offering is similar to the sin offering,

Leviticus 7:7 "The trespass offering is like the sin offering; ..."

That is, whatever had not been differentiated between the sin and trespass offerings applied to both. Both offerings speak of the removal of God's wrath by the acceptance of the shed blood of Christ. But the very name "trespass" indicates an "invasion of rights" and includes a secondary emphasis upon the harm done and upon the reparations that must be made to the injured party.

Leviticus 6:5 "or all that about which he has sworn falsely. He shall restore its full value, add one-fifth more to it, and give it to whomever it belongs, on the day of his trespass offering."

Restitution demonstrates the spirit of repentance, but was only acceptable along with the offering of the shed blood. A valid acceptance could occur without monetary restitution (Leviticus 5:17-18 ). But restitution expressed the right heart attitude towards the ones offended or trespassed against. The trespass offering and restitution are perfectly fulfilled in Christ Jesus. He indeed took our place, made sin for us; but at the same time we were granted His place, made to be the righteousness of God in Him.

2 Corinthians 5:21 "For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him."

He made atonement not only by His passive obedience, bearing the penalties of our sins, but also by His active obedience redressing every legal claim of God upon us as sinners.

Galatians 4:4-5 "But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons."

The Lord requires the one who comes to the altar for forgiveness to go and be reconciled to the brother he has offended.

Matthew 5:23-24 "Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift."

Having been received of Christ and receiving Christ, the spirit of repentance worked God's restitution in Zacchaeus.

Luke 19:8 "Then Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, 'Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold.'"

Zacchaeus made a right about turn - his acceptance of Christ and true repentance was proved by willing restitution. When a fellow worker has been wronged by acceptance of untrue reports, restitution of public correction and apology is required. Restitution is not always monetary.

Reviewing the chapters we have covered, notice the facts learned about sin:

	All sin requires a sin or trespass offering.
	Sin may be committed in ignorance (Leviticus 4:2. Cf 1 Timothy 1:13 ).
	Sin consists of disobedience to the Lord's commands, whether by commission or omission (Leviticus 4:2. Cf. 1 John 3:4 ).
	When sin is discovered to the sinner, an offering is required (Leviticus 4:14 ). This corresponds to conviction and conversion. In the case of the sinning believer, to confession and repentance.
	Sin may be committed consciously without its implications being realised (Leviticus 5:4 ).
	Known sin must be confessed. (Leviticus 5:5. 1 John 1:9 ).
	Sin is an outrage on the holiness of God (Leviticus 5:15 ).
	Wrong done to man is trespass against the Lord. (Leviticus 6:2 ).
	The trespass offering (Christ) avails for known moral sin (Leviticus 6:2,3 ).
	When a man is convicted, he must restore the wrong he has done and compensate the wronged one (Leviticus 6:4, 5 ).
	God is pleased by our reparation when this is possible.

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QUESTIONS FOR GROUP INTERACTION

1. What sins that are done to men, does God regard as done to Himself (Leviticus 6:2 )?

2. Do you believe that when a fellow worker in the Lord has been wronged by accepting untrue reports, that restitution should consist of public correction and apology (Leviticus 6:5 )?