ALPHA MAAMA (A.M.)

Tusite ‘Epeleli 18, 2023

Sin and Reparation prolap Offerings  חטאת

FEILAULAU ANGAHALA MO E FAKALELEI

LEVITICUS 4:13-14, 20

"IF THE WHOLE CONGREGATION OF ISRAEL SINS UNINTENTIONALLY AND THE THING IS HIDDEN FROM THE EYES OF THE ASSEMBLY. WHEN THE SIN WHICH THEY HAVE COMMITTED BECOMES KNOWN, THE ASSEMBLY SHALL OFFER A BULL FROM THE HERD FOR A SIN OFFERING AND BRING IT IN FRONT OF THE TENT OF MEETING... AND THE PRIEST SHALL MAKE ATONEMENT FOR THEM, AND THEY SHALL BE FORGIVEN

LEVITIKO 4:13-14, 20

13 Pea ka kuo hia ta‘e‘ilo ‘a e fakataha kotoa ‘o ‘Isileli, pea puli ‘a e me‘a mei he ha‘oha‘onga ‘o e Fakataha, ka kuo nau fai ha taha ‘o e ngaahi me‘a na‘e tu‘utu‘uni ‘e Sihova ke ‘oua na‘a fai, pea kuo nau halaia; 14 pea ka ‘iloa ‘a e angahala kuo nau fai, pea ‘e toki ‘omi ‘e he Fakataha ha pulu mui ma‘anau feilaulau-angahala, pea te nau taki mai ki he mata Tēniti Fe‘iloaki‘anga.

20 Pea ko e me‘a te ne fai ki he pulu; hangē ko ia na‘a ne fai ki he pulu feilaulau-angahala ko ē, ‘e pehē ‘ene fai ki heni: pea ‘e fai fakalelei ma‘anautolu ‘e he taula‘eiki, pea ‘e fakamolemole kinautolu.

The Lord was not naive. He was well aware that Israel would make a mess of things. By theft, lying, fraud, or some other vice they would pollute both themselves and others. To provide a way for atonement and forgiveness, he instituted both the chattat ("sin offering") and the asham ("reparation [or guilt] offering"). The asham differs in that it was offered only by individuals, and in addition to the sacrifice, and in addition to the sacrifice, a 20 percent reparation was tacked onto it. But both sacrifices shared the same goal: cleansing the unholy sinner for reunion with the holy God.

When Isaiah prophesies the death of the messianic Servant, he says, "it was the will of the LORD crush him; he has put him to grief; when his soul makes an offering for guilt" (53:10). The crucified one is our asham, the "offering for guilt," whereby we unholy sinners are made right with our holy Father.

"Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love, according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions" (Ps. 51:1).