THE GUILT OFFERING - Examining the State of one's Heart

 

Leviticus 5

So when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift” (Matt. 5:23-24).

🌻When it comes to guilt offerings — unlike court-ordered compensation damages—offenders willingly take on a share of the harm themselves, thereby sharing in the distress they caused the victim.

🌻The instruction for these offering focused on the point  "when one realises that he is guilty". It calls for effort on the part of the individual to check when he/she is in wrong or not.

‘Or if a person swears, speaking thoughtlessly with his lips to do evil or to do good, whatever it is that a man may pronounce by an oath, and he is unaware of it—when he realizes it, then he shall be guilty in any of these matters. (Lev 5:4)

🌻Jesus’ words in Matthew 5:23-24 also teach us that doing everything in our power to reconcile with people is an essential aspect of getting things right with God and living in peace wherever possible. Receiving forgiveness from God goes beyond, but does not replace, our making peace, where possible, to those whom we have harmed.

As Hebrews exhorts us 

"Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. (Heb 12:1 -2)

🌻We ought to examine ourselves continuously so that we identify early that which is out of line and put it in order. This is the basis of the guilt offering, calling us to constant examination of ourselves.

🌻Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed. (Heb 12:12)

🌻Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled; lest there be any fornicator or profane person like Esau, who for one morsel of food sold his birthright (Heb 12:13-16)