a) Moral Laws

These define how the human race is commanded to live. The Ten Commandments are moral laws. (Exodus 20) Moral laws are eternal: they will outlast this present universe. (Matthew 5:17-18)

b) Penal Laws

These involve the punishment of those who have broken a moral law. When a moral law (i.e. one of the Ten Commandments) is transgressed, a person becomes guilty of sin and is liable to punishment. If forgiveness by YaHuWaH, the Elohim of Israel, and the victim (if one is involved) are not obtained, then the Almighty's Penal laws should be applied. Failure to apply the Creator's Penal laws has resulted in the chaos of our present society. Most governments have little idea how to effectively punish lawbreakers or eradicate evil. They ignore the fact that the Eternal YaHuWaH has given mankind a set of Penal laws in order to 'put away evil.' Some people go so far as to say that the penal laws in the Bible are barbaric! They cannot see that by failing to apply divine law the whole of society is sliding towards chaos. The Bible says individuals - and nations - will pay the price for rejecting divine law. It is as simple as that.

c) Dietary Laws

These laws tell us what animals, fish and birds we humans are allowed to eat. See Leviticus chapter 11 for details.

d) Laws on Marriage / Agriculture / Dress etc. etc..

These laws illustrate how forgiveness is obtained. The Most High has made provision for forgiveness; and the price of forgiveness can best be learned from the sacrificial system. In it a repentant sinner's guilt is symbolically transferred to an innocent victim (an innocent lamb, kid, ram, he goat, bull or pigeon) which dies in the sinner's stead. In the book of Leviticus YaHuWaH 's sacrificial laws are listed. We will now consider some lessons found in these laws.

Comparatively few Christians study the sacrificial laws in the Almighty's Word the Holy Bible. They consider the subject obsolete. This is a tragedy, because even though the actual sacrifice of farm animals is no longer necessary, (having been superseded by the Savior's sacrifice on Calvary) the Plan of Salvation can never be properly understood until one studies the sacrificial system as described in the Old Testament. Bear in mind that a sinner must either obtain mercy for his/her sin or personally pay the penalty for that sin. The penalty for sin (transgressing a moral law) is death, eternal death! The sacrificial system as described in the Old Testament is the very best object lesson mankind was given concerning death and forgiveness. In this lesson we will consider the five stages of making a sacrifice to YaHuWaH, of seeking to escape the death sentence. In each stage the sacrifice of YAHUSHUA the Messiah is seen in all its horrifying detail. No object lesson is better. That is why the Almighty gave the sacrificial system in the first place.

The first stage was presentation. The victim (lamb, kid, ram, goat, pigeon or bull)) was selected and thoroughly examined. It had to be perfect in every way. The Savior was presented to His Father, YaHuWaH, shortly after His birth in Bethlehem and again examined by YaHuWaH 's delegated authorities before His death. No fault could be found in Him!

Laying on of Hands

By doing this the sinner was transferring his/her sin to the innocent victim which was dying in his stead.

Slaying the Victim

The gruesome act of slaying the victim was originally done by the sinner himself, but later by the officiating priest. This act aptly demonstrates our personal involvement in the death of YAHUSHUA. I killed Him. You killed Him. It was our sins that put Him to death!

Leviticus 1: 5: And he shall kill the bullock before YaHuWaH :...

Symbolic Application of the Blood

The word 'flay' means to strip off and spread out. This is what happened to the Savior. Pause and try to imagine the crucifixion!

Burning the Sacrifice

2. The Sacrifice of YAHUSHUA the Messiah

Since the Savior's death on Calvary a sinner (one who has broken the moral law) has no need to sacrifice a farm animal to obtain pardon. This fact is explained in our booklet entitled Animal Sacrifices, are they Necessary? and also in Part 1

As there is no Levitical sacrificial system at this moment in time, how are we sinners to gain the Almighty's mercy, favor and blessing? The answer is: we must personally accept - by faith - the sacrifice of YAHUSHUA the Messiah. We must then - on a daily basis - come in prayer to the Mercy Seat of the Almighty YaHuWaH with faith in His only begotten Son. We must confess our sins, ask for mercy and accept forgiveness and salvation. These basic truths, though repeated by millions of preachers of the past and present, must be studied, believed and acted upon. Do not make the senseless mistake of thinking 'that all this 'Gospel stuff is stale news and, therefore, unworthy of your attention.' The Scriptures tell us that on the great Day of Judgment multiplied millions will gnash their teeth in anguish for having harbored such foolish thoughts. (Matthew 13:42-50)

3. Spiritual Sacrifices

Even though animal sacrifices are no longer necessary, other sacrifices of a higher nature took their place and they still exist. Indeed all the sacrifices mentioned in the book of Leviticus point to these higher forms of sacrifice. The Bible refers to them as 'spiritual sacrifices.' Failure to offer these sacrifices is a serious shortcoming. I mention a few spiritual sacrifices:

Faith

Praise / Thanksgiving / Obedience / Testimony

Believers who approach the throne of the Almighty with these spiritual sacrifices (faith in the Messiah, thanksgiving, praise, obedience and high moral standards) are acceptable of Elohim. The Most High is very pleased with these sacrifices because they perfectly express the hidden realities to which the blood and cereal sacrifices in Leviticus pointed. It is a grave error to neglect offering these spiritual sacrifices to YaHuWaH. You will never get good results in your spiritual walk with YaHuWaH if you fail to offer these spiritual sacrifices.

Doubt, failure to give thanks, being ashamed of YaHuWaH, His Son, His Gospel, His Word, outright disobedience and the lust of the flesh should all be avoided. Instead believers, as members of the Almighty's royal family, His Holy nation, are called upon to offer spiritual sacrifices to Him. What will be the results?

• Your own salvation will be assured. Can anything be of greater importance to you?
• Others will also hear of YaHuWaH and His Son through your testimony and will have the opportunity to be saved. Praising the Most High and testifying of His power is passing on to others an invitation to eternal life.
• Obedience (righteousness) will exalt the whole of society. The Bible says 'righteousness exalteth a nation.'
• Good Health. Bodily care and pure moral standards are stepping stones to health and happiness.

As a member of YaHuWaH 's family make sure you offer up these spiritual sacrifices to Him - on a daily basis. Blessings beyond measure will follow in due course.

See the Gospel Page for more information on the vital subject of Salvation. Nothing in all the world is worth more to you than your own life. The Savior has done His part to save you from eternal death. Now you must do yours. Failure to accept His offer of salvation would be the greatest mistake you could ever make! This is no exaggeration.