The Laws of the Lord can be broadly classified under three broad heads given as under:
1. Ceremonial laws & Sacrificial System
2. Civil laws
3. Moral laws
Ceremonial Law & Sacrificial System: This type of law is related to Israel's worship. (Leviticus 1:1-13) The laws pointed forward to Jesus Christ (The Lamb of God) and were no longer necessary after Jesus' death and resurrection. This literally points to the “custom of the nation”; the words are often translated as “statutes.” They include instructions on regaining right standing with God (e.g., sacrifices and other ceremonies regarding “uncleanness”), remembrances of God’s work in Israel (e.g., feasts and festivals), specific regulations meant to distinguish Israelites from their pagan neighbours (e.g., dietary and clothing restrictions), and signs that point to the coming Messiah (e.g., circumcision, Passover, and the redemption of the firstborn). Some Jews believe that the ceremonial law is not fixed. They hold that, as societies evolve, so do God’s expectations of how His followers should relate to Him. This view is not indicated in the Bible. With the crucifixion of Jesus, the ceremonial laws have become redundant. Since the church is not the nation of Israel, memorial festivals, such as the Feast of Weeks and Passover, do not apply. Galatians 3:23-25 explains that since Jesus has come, we are not required to sacrifice or circumcise.
There are five main types of sacrifices, or offerings, in the Old Testament. The burnt offering (Leviticus 1; 6:8–13; 8:18-21; 16:24), the grain offering (Leviticus 2; 6:14–23), the peace offering (Leviticus 3; 7:11–34), the sin offering (Leviticus 4; 5:1–13; 6:24–30; 8:14–17; 16:3–22), and the trespass offering (Leviticus 5:14–19; 6:1–7; 7:1–6). Each of these sacrifices involved certain elements, either animal or fruit of the field, and had a specific purpose.
In addition, there was voluntary sacrifices consisting of burnt offering, and grain and drink offering. These were voluntary acts of worship to express devotion or commitment to God. The purpose of the grain offering was to express thanksgiving in recognition of God’s provision and unmerited goodwill toward the person making the sacrifice.
Further, there were two mandatory sacrifices in the Old Testament Law. The first was the sin offering. The purpose of the sin offering was to atone for sin and cleanse from defilement. The other mandatory sacrifice was the trespass offering, and this sacrifice was exclusively a ram. The trespass offering was given as atonement for unintentional sins.
The sacrifices in the Old Testament pointed forward to the perfect and final sacrifice of Christ. As with the rest of the Law, the sacrifices were “a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ”. Christ’s atoning death on the cross was the only and final needed sacrifice for sin, offered once and for all. Considering that all power in heaven and earth is given to Jesus, and by His resurrection He defeated death, and that He alone can forgive sins and that through His sacrifice and grace we get salvation, the ceremonial laws, no longer hold good.
Dr Ashwin Drummond
laddertoheaven.co.in