The Cross and its Shadow

Chapter 21-The Trespass-Offering

THE trespass-offering was a sin-offering, and many Bible students make no distinction between it and the regular sin-offering. In some places the terms “sin-offering” and “trespass offering” seem to be used synonymously, as in Leviticus 5:1-13, but in other places they are spoken of as being two separate offerings. ¹ CIS 143.1

A close study of the passages that speak directly of the trespass-offering, shows that it was offered more especially for sins “in the holy things of the Lord,” ² as when a person had trespassed by not following God’s instructions in regard to the holy things. He may have withheld his tithe, ³ eaten the first-fruits, ⁵ or sheared the first-born sheep; whatever the trespass, he was to bring a ram for an offering. This offering was disposed of much the same as the ordinary sin-offering, except that the blood was sprinkled “round about upon the altar,” instead of touching the horns with the blood as in the sin-offering. CIS 143.2

It would seem from this that the trespass-offering did not always represent sins as public as the common sin-offering represented, but was often used for sins known only to the individual himself. If the person had taken any of the holy things for his own use, had been dishonest in his dealings with his neighbor, or had appropriated articles that had been lost, etc., he was only to restore the full value, but was to add one fifth to the estimation by the priest. ⁸ CIS 143.3

The restitution was always made to the one wronged. If the individual had dealt dishonestly with the holy things of the Lord, the restitution was made to the priest as the representative of the Lord. If he had wronged his fellow-men and the one wronged died, then the restitution was made to his kinsman, but if there was no kinsman, the restitution was made to the Lord. ⁹ CIS 144.1

There was no virtue in offering the ram for a trespass-offering, unless the restitution was made in full for the wrong done. One special object of the trespass-offering was to atone for dishonest dealings with either God or man, and always required the restitution of the wrong besides the ram for the offering. It taught very clearly that wherein we have dealt falsely with God or man, simply confessing the sin and bringing an offering will not suffice; we must make amends for the wrong. CIS 144.2

Zacchaeus understood the law of the trespass-offering, and as soon as he surrendered his life to Christ, he was ready to go even beyond the requirements of the law, and restore “fourfold” to all whom he had wronged. ¹⁰ CIS 144.3

The trespass-offering was a more complete offering than the ordinary sin-offering; besides atoning for the sin, it also, in figure, covered the result of the sin. The prophet Isaiah used the trespass-offering as a special type of Christ. He was truly the antitypical trespass-offering when He shed His blood, not only to free the souls of men from guilt, but to remove forever the last trace of sin from the universe of God. CIS 144.4

We quote Isaiah 53:10 from the Jewish translator Leeser, as follows: “The Lord was pleased to crush him through disease: when (now) His soul hath brought the trespass-offering, then shall He see (His) seed, live many days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in His hand.” CIS 145.1

There are many precious promises to the one who will present his trespass-offerings to the Lord. He who would be victorious in God cannot be content with merely confessing his sin to God; he must make reconciliation and restoration. This is taught in the Saviour’s words, “If thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.” ¹¹ CIS 145.2

Type	Antitype
Leviticus 5:15, 16. The trespass-offering atoned for the result of the sin as well as for the sin.	Isaiah 53:10-12. The death of Christ, the great trespass-offering, not only atones for sin, but destroys all the effect of sin.
Leviticus 6:1-7. The sacrifice without the restitution was not accepted	Matthew 5:23-26. Our prayers are of no avail if we cherish evil in our hearts.