Introduction 

In Joshua 24:19, the leader of the Israelite people said, 

“You are not able to serve the Lord. He is a holy God; He is a jealous God. He will not forgive your rebellion and your sins.”

He said this despite some of the people having experienced Yahweh’s power in delivering them from Egypt, miraculously supplying them daily with food and water, and enabling them to conquer the land of Canaan. 

And yet, I believe Yahweh had an idealistic expectation of sinlessness among the people. The Writings have several indications of changed hearts among the people. 

Initial Sacrifice to Establish Covenant

Yahweh defeated the gods of Egypt and brought the Israelites out of that land. He destroyed their human enemies at the Sea of Reeds (Yam Suf) and started them on a Wilderness Experience to make them a nation under His reign. He instructed Moses to build Him a tent in which He could dwell in the midst of the tribes of Israel. While consecrating the Tabernacle, making it livable for the Presence, Moses also consecrated the people (Exodus 24:8), making them acceptable companions for the holy God. Thereafter, new members were born in the Wilderness and the males circumcised.

Sacrifices for Uncleanness

The scroll of Leviticus gives instructions for a variety of situations that made individual Israelites unclean – not sinful. Some sacrifices covered the High Priest and the whole community for unintentional or unknown violations of the covenant.

The penalty for intentional acts of moral rebellion (sins) was to be cut off from the community. This was accomplished by banishment or stoning. Again, the Levitical sacrifices were remedies for uncleanness (not moral rebellion) and for unintentional/ unknown sins brought to light.

Finally, Yahweh accepted sacrifices from people who simply wanted to approach Him in the Tabernacle to pray or to give thanks or to express friendship. These grateful, loving members of the community still needed to have any uncleanness removed. Their original sinfulness was covered and removed by the initial sacrifice.

Parallels in the New Covenant

Notice the wording of Exodus 24:8. Moses said about the blood of the sacrificed bull, “This is the blood of the covenant that the Lord has made with you…” Jesus used the same words when He shared the cup of wine with His students during the last seder supper before His crucifixion. 

This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. (Matthew 26:28).

People enter the family of God, the community of people acceptable to Him, by believing in Jesus’ sacrifice on their behalf, identifying with Him in water burial, and participating in His broken body and spilled blood during communion. Thereafter, they need only trust in His sacrifice for removing any uncleanness, making them able to 

draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water (Hebrews 10:22).

Thereafter, instead of bringing slain animals as thank or fellowship offerings, believers need only bring 

a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess His name (Hebrews 13:15).