THEOSISCyrill of Alexandria
Paul, knowledgeable in the law and deeply respectful of Moses’ commandments, communicates this to the Hebrew people, illustrating his wisdom in these profound matters while having already reviewed the law regarding such sacred truths. His message does not encompass an extensive narrative but rather addresses key points that they are already familiar with. Should it please me, I will also supply an account of these matters for those who seek a deeper understanding and desire clarification on the subjects under consideration.
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And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, Speak to the children of Israel: If any person errs inadvertently against any of the Lord’s commandments and commits an action that he should not perform; if the anointed priest sins and incurs guilt upon the people, he must bring an unblemished bullock to the Lord as a sin offering for his transgression. This bullock shall be brought to the entrance of the tabernacle of meeting before the Lord, where he shall lay his hands on the bullock’s head and then slay it before the Lord. The anointed priest will take the blood of the bullock and bring it into the tabernacle of meeting; he shall dip his finger into the blood and sprinkle it seven times before the Lord and before the veil of the sanctuary. The priest will place the blood of the bullock on the horns of the altar of incense, located in the tabernacle of meeting, and the remaining blood shall be poured out at the base of the altar of burnt offerings at the door of the tabernacle of meeting. He will also remove all the fat from the sin offering, including the fat covering the entrails, the kidneys and their fat, and the fat upon the liver, separating these as is customary for a peace offering. The priest shall then burn these parts on the altar of burnt offering. However, the bullock’s hide, its entire body including the head, feet, entrails, and all its impurities must be taken outside the camp to a clean place where the ashes are disposed of, and there, it should be burned with fire on the wood.
Such is the law's directive in the case of a high priest accused of inadvertent sins. There will also be a sacrifice for the people's sins of ignorance, with a bullock brought forth to be slaughtered at the entrance of the tabernacle of meeting before the Lord, and the congregation's elders will lay their hands on it while its blood is taken into the holy of holies. All actions concerning it shall mirror the procedures for Aaron’s offering. However, the purification of both priests and people is fulfilled in Christ, as in Him we find justification and cleansing from sin’s filth, which is evident to anyone. We will examine each segment of the text individually, advancing our discussion in an orderly manner to uncover the concealed truths.
Cyril points out that the bullock is to be selected as perfect and without blemish, symbolizing Christ, who is truly spotless and does not bear the stain of sin: “For the prince of this world comes, and has nothing in Me” (John 14:30). He “knew no sin” as stated in the Scriptures (1 Pet. 2:22).
Cyril. Indeed. However, it is essential to clearly differentiate the types of sacrifice, while also examining the Holy Scriptures to understand how those burdened by sin can be freed from their afflictions and the consequences of their transgressions. In Leviticus, we read: 'And the Lord spoke unto Moses, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel: If any soul shall sin by mistake against any of the commandments of the Lord, and shall do any thing which he ought not to do; if the anointed priest sins and brings guilt upon the people, let him present a bull without blemish to the Lord as a sin offering for his sin.
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He shall bring the bull to the entrance of the tabernacle of meeting before the Lord, lay his hands on the head of the bull, and slay the bull before the Lord; and the anointed priest shall take...And the priest shall take some of the bull’s blood and bring it into the tabernacle of meeting, and with his finger he shall sprinkle the blood seven times before the Lord before the veil of the sanctuary. The priest shall put some of the blood on the horns of the altar of incense, which is in the tabernacle, and the remainder of the blood he shall pour out at the base of the altar of burnt offerings, which is at the entrance of the tabernacle. He shall then remove all the fat of the calf for the sin offering, and burn it on the altar of burnt offering; then the skin of the bull and all its flesh, with its head and feet and entrails and refuse, he shall carry outside the camp to a clean place, where the ashes are poured out, and burn it with fire on the wood’ (Lev. 4:1-12). This is what the law stipulates for a leader who leads those under him into transgression. In addition, he states: 'But if the whole congregation of Israel sins by mistake, and the matter is hidden from the eyes of the congregation, and they do any thing against the commandments of the Lord, which they ought not to do, and are guilty, then when the sin of the people is recognized, they shall present a bullock from among the congregation as a sin offering' (Lev. 4:13-14). He then elaborates on its sacrifice in a manner akin to the first case. Palladius. What do these words signify? Cyril. It is quite clear, Palladius, and easily understood by those with sound judgment: for in Christ is the cleansing of both priests and the people—great and small alike—and even when we sin individually, whether out of ignorance of the divine law or perhaps being led against our will to that which is displeasing to God, the Ruler of all. Hence, the divine David cried out, 'Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions' (Psalm 24:7). Moreover, the blessed Job somewhat candidly challenges the One who is inherently good, compassionate, and merciful, and who is aware of our human weaknesses, regarding His delay in forgiving sins for some. He questions, 'And why should not my sin be forgiven, and my iniquity taken away?’ (Job 7:21).