Leviticus 5 Devotional

An Offering Within Reach

“But if he cannot afford two turtledoves or two young pigeons, he may bring a tenth of an ephah of fine flour as a sin offering. He must not put olive oil or frankincense on it, because it is a sin offering.”Leviticus 5:11 (BSB)

Leviticus 5 names wrongs that are easy to slide past: keeping silent when you should testify, touching something unclean without realizing it, making a careless oath (5:1-4). Once a person knows, he must confess the specific sin he has committed (5:5). Then comes a striking arrangement. The usual offering is a female lamb or goat. If he cannot afford that, he may bring two turtledoves or two young pigeons. If even that is beyond him, a small measure of fine flour will do (5:6-7, 11).

The cost changes, but the outcome does not. Each option ends with atonement made and the sin forgiven (5:10, 13). God did not let poverty stand between anyone and forgiveness. The way back was within reach of the poorest household in Israel. John promises forgiveness and cleansing to those who confess their sins, resting on God's own faithfulness and justice (1 John 1:9). What holds you back from confessing is never the smallness of what you can bring.

To think about: Is there a sin you have been slow to name before God, and what would it mean to confess it plainly today?