LEVITICUS 5 - GUILT OFFERING: TO NEAR TO GOD IS TO RESTORE JUSTICE TO ONE’S NEIGHBOR
- Pr Enos Mwakalindile
- Jul 13
- 6 min read
Updated: Jul 30
Drawing Close to God: Visit the Leviticus, Look to Christ
❓ Does repentance before God remain valid even if you have not yet made amends for your wrong to humanity?
🪔 INTRODUCTION AND CONTEXT
The guilt offering is a penitential offering for wrongdoing that carries the burden of guilt and the obligation of atonement . Unlike the sin offering (Leviticus 4), here we encounter a situation where a person has broken the holy commandment of the Lord or has wronged his neighbor in property or an oath , and he must pay atonement and make atonement offering .
In God's plan, religious justice is not separate from social justice. Entering into God's presence also demands a good return to one's neighbor. This reflects Jesus' command:
“Therefore if you are bringing your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go; first be reconciled to your brother .” (Matthew 5:23–24)
📖 Read First: Leviticus 5:1–6:7
Look at the two types of guilt:
Sins against the Lord’s holy things (5:14–19)
Sins against one’s neighbor through oppression, theft, or false oaths (6:1–7)
Both types of guilt produce a sense of guilt —a spiritual and social burden that demands restitution. This burden is not removed by mere words but requires the steps of repentance: paying reparation, making amends, and bringing an offering as a sign of return to God and to those we have hurt.
📖STUDY STRUCTURE FOR THIS CHAPTER
📖 SIN AGAINST HOLY THINGS – LEVITICUS 5:14–19
When you think you have respected God's law but you have unknowingly violated the boundaries of His holy things.
In this section, we encounter a type of sin that is not visible to the naked eye—unintentional offenses against sacred things like temple property, tithes, or offerings. These are not outright offenses of rebellion, but rather a sign that even by accident, we cannot disregard God’s holiness without consequences. In the world of the Bible, the things of God are not ordinary—they are of covenant, of life, and of His presence.
Even accidental transgressions in sacred places require compensation because God is holy and just.
In the repentance plan:
The giver counts the value of what he or she has wronged—whether it is property, a promise, or a sacrifice.
He adds 20 percent more (as compensation for love and restoration).
Then he offers the lamb of the guilt offering as a symbol of returning to the covenant relationship.
True repentance is not just saying “sorry”—it is taking action to restore the broken relationship between God and man. Repentance is a way of approaching the life of God by dealing with the consequences of your sin.
📖 SIN AGAINST NEIGHBOR – LEVITICUS 6:1–7
When you wrong someone but still want to be right with God.
Here God intervenes not only as a giver of forgiveness, but as a defender of the oppressed . These sins are subtle—like stealing, refusing to pay a debt, or swearing falsely. These are sins of social relationship.
The guilt offering is a lesson to the community of believers that justice toward one’s neighbor is not an optional but a ritualistic thing.
Steps to true repentance:
Confession – This is the first step in true repentance, where a person admits before God and man that he has sinned. Confession is accepting the truth and ceasing to defend himself. (See 1 John 1:9)
Returning stolen/oppressed property – A person should return to his neighbor what he has oppressed or stolen as evidence of true repentance. This shows that justice is not complete without works. (See Leviticus 6:4)
Adding a 20 percent (fifth) compensation – This is a divine command intended to bring about full restoration and increased justice, as a way to heal a broken relationship. (See Leviticus 5:16; 6:5)
Offering a lamb to the Lord – After making amends with a neighbor, a person brings a guilt offering to the Lord to show repentance and seek ritual forgiveness. (See Leviticus 6:6–7)
This plan of reparation teaches that spiritual forgiveness does not remove social responsibility.
🛡️ THE MEANING OF THE GUILT OFFERING IN CHRIST
In Romans 8:3, Paul explains that “God, sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh.” Here, the Greek word peri hamartias , when properly translated, means “for a sin offering” — that is, Christ was the asham , the guilt offering, who took on the burden of righteousness that should have fallen upon humanity.
God judged sin in the body of the Messiah, not only to forgive people but to break the power of sin and restore them to God's covenant family as righteous members.
Christ is the true guilt offering (Isaiah 53:10):
“The Lord was pleased to bruise him… [he] shall offer himself as a guilt offering ( asham ), he shall see his seed…”
Jesus died not for harmless sins, but for wrongs that violated justice—both for God and for humanity. His cross was not just about forgiveness; it also brought true redemption to the wounded . In Jesus, we not only receive forgiveness; we are given the power to restore what was broken.
🔥 LIFE EXPERIENCE
In the light of the gospel, the guilt offering finds its fulfillment in the death of Christ, who not only took our punishment but also brought about the restoration of relationship with God and among mankind. His death was a divine ransom that makes possible the renewal of life, social justice, and the building of a reconciled society. The guilt offering calls us to repentance of action, not just of words—repentance that is seen in the way we love, forgive, and treat those we have hurt.
Today's call:
Do not leave your offering before the Lord until you have reconciled with the one against whom you have sinned. This is the guilt offering—the offering for the redemption of broken relationships.
🫂 REFLECT AND LEARN MORE
Are there relationships in your life that need to be repaired because of injustice or lack of truth? Explain why it is difficult or easy to take action.
As a group, what can we do to help each other do justice to those we have wronged?
How can God's forgiveness be a motivation to take steps to restore justice to our neighbor? Discuss how the guilt offering teaches us to repent in actions and not just words.
🙌 FINAL BLESSING
May the Lord give you the courage to return, not only to Him but also to those you have left behind with wounds. May He cover you with the grace of Christ who gave Himself as a ransom for you—so that justice and mercy may reign once again.
May the fire of your repentance bring light to those you have hurt, and build a bridge of grace between you, your neighbor, and your God.
Amen.
➡️ Tomorrow: “Altar Service: The Order of the Lord’s Offering Fire – Leviticus 6:8–7:38”
What should ever be burning in the heart of a true worshipper—unquenchable even in the darkest night of life?
📣 COMMENTS AND PARTICIPATION
Have you ever been in a situation where your repentance toward God also required restoring justice to your neighbor? We would love to hear your stories, reflections, or prayers for your journey of restoration. Please share with us:
✍🏽 Write your comments below.
🤝 Ask others in your group: "Have we ever been faithful to repent in deeds, not just words?"
🙏 Pray together for the courage to take steps of restoration, with the help of the Holy Spirit.
“The unity of the saints is built not by words of mercy alone, but by deeds of righteousness that sustain broken hearts.” — Maisha Kamili
📚 Sources for Further Studies
Holy Bible , ESV/NIV English translation – Scriptures from Leviticus 5–6, Matthew 5:23–24, Romans 8:3, 1 John 1:9, Isaiah 53:10.
L. Michael Morales , Who Shall Ascend the Mountain of the Lord? A Biblical Theology of the Book of Leviticus (IVP Academic, 2015), p. 55.– A source for liturgical explanations of God’s holiness and the guilt offering.
NT Wright , Paul and the Faithfulness of God (Fortress Press, 2013), p. 1161.– Commentary on Romans 8:3 and the concept of Christ as a guilt offering ( asham ).
Tim Mackie , The BibleProject – Sacrifice & Atonement Series (Video & Podcast).– Provides the ritual and social context of the guilt offering and the importance of true atonement.
Ellen G. White , Patriarchs and Prophets – Although not directly mentioned in this lesson, it is a frequent reference in this series on offerings and worship.
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