What does Ellen White write about...
Adventistische Schriften über: "Was the burnt offering always explicitly for the whole congregation, or could it also be offered for an individual?"
Answer
The burnt offering was presented both for the entire congregation and for individuals. While the daily morning and evening sacrifice served as a representation for the whole nation in daily consecration, individuals could also obtain atonement for their personal sins by laying their hands on the sacrificial animal. A well‑known example of individual burnt offerings is Job, who regularly offered sacrifices for each of his children.
Individual burnt offerings in the example of Job
»And it happened that when the days of their feast were over, Job sent them away and sanctified them, and rose early in the morning and offered burnt offerings according to their whole number; for Job said: Perhaps my sons have sinned and cursed God in their hearts. So Job always did this.«
Distinction between national and personal sacrifices
»Among the various kinds of sacrifices there were (1) the national ones, i.e., those offered in the name of the whole nation; (2) the official ones, i.e., those offered by priests and rulers purely as officials; and (3) the personal ones, i.e., those offered for individuals. ... On it [the burnt‑offering altar] the whole burnt offerings were presented.«
The burnt offering for the atonement of the individual
»The whole burnt offering was presented as atonement for sin. The person who offered the sacrifice laid his hands on the animal’s head and confessed his sins; and then, if it was from the flock or cattle, he took its life with his own hands.«
The daily burnt offering for the entire congregation
»The morning and evening lamb was offered as a whole burnt offering for the entire congregation, showing their desire to lay aside sin and consecrate themselves to the Lord, so that their prayers could rise from the altar with fragrant incense.«
Original Sources (English)
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