Worshipers would begin with the Sin Offering (Lev 4:1–5:13, 6:24–30, symbolizing the substitution necessary for atonement. When a sin offering was made, the worshiper would place one hand on the head of the animal and make confession of his sin while he killed the animal with his other hand. Part of the blood from that animal would be sprinkled on the veil and on the altar of incense in the Holy Place.

Last week I described how the layout and structure of the tabernacle communicated a particular transcendent theology of worship. Even the order of the sacrifices pictures this. God gave specific instructions concerning sacrifices to him:

An altar of earth you shall make for me and sacrifice on it your burnt offerings and your peace offerings, your sheep and your oxen. In every place where I cause my name to be remembered I will come to you and bless you. If you make me an altar of stone, you shall not build it of hewn stones, for if you wield your tool on it you profane it. And you shall not go up by steps to my altar, that your nakedness be not exposed on it. (Exod 20:24–26)

Worshipers would begin with the Sin Offering (Lev 4:1–5:13, 6:24–30, symbolizing the substitution necessary for atonement. When a sin offering was made, the worshiper would place one hand on the head of the animal and make confession of his sin while he killed the animal with his other hand. Part of the blood from that animal would be sprinkled on the veil and on the altar of incense in the Holy Place.

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