Throughout Leviticus 4 and even into Leviticus 5 (both of which discuss the sin offering) we find an interesting term, “sprinkling” (used always regarding the blood of the innocent sacrifice quite recently presented to God).

Here are a few examples: “And the priest shall dip his finger in the blood, and SPRINKLE OF THE BLOOD seven times before the LORD, before the vail of the sanctuary.” Leviticus 4:6, within feet of the Mercy Seat itself!

Again in Leviticus 4:17 … “And the priest shall dip his finger in some of the BLOOD, and SPRINKLE IT seven times before the LORD, even before the vail.”

“And he (the priest) shall SPRINKLE OF THE BLOOD of the sin offering upon the side of the altar; and the rest of the blood shall be wrung out at the bottom of the altar: it is a sin offering.” Now from Leviticus chapter 5, verse 9.

The Hebrew verb “sprinkle” used here is “nazah,” meaning “to spurt!” As if the blood was just coming (gushing) from the severed artery of the dying sacrifice! Also it means “to spring up, to leap!” (Sounds “alive,” doesn’t it, still active, doing something?)

And God (His august Holiness, Righteousness, Justice) is thus satisfied (propitiated) when that blood is so sprinkled! (“And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.” Hebrews 9:22)

The blood is so Holy to God … that the Jews were even forbidden to ingest (to eat) any of it! No rare meat for the observant Israelite! And this command from God even predated the law of Moses! “But flesh with the life thereof, which is the BLOOD thereof, SHALL YE NOT EAT.” Quoting Genesis 9:4.

Only God gets/receives/accepts that blood!

But … and here’s the “point” of today’s Lesson, often when I am preaching and come across (especially in the New Testament) one of those Passages speaking of the “sprinkling” of blood … I have been somewhat puzzled! Because we are said (in Revelation 1:5 and 7:14) to be “washed” in the Blood of the Lamb! BIG DIFFERENCE, “washed” or “sprinkled,” or so it seemed to me.

Yet Peter clearly says we have been saved (chosen) … “according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and SPRINKLING of the blood of Jesus Christ.” 1 Peter 1:2, Father and Son and Holy Spirit!

Wow!

Then, this morning, it became “apparent!” I saw it! (It is amazing what happens as we study the Word of God! The Holy Spirit indeed is the real Teacher, the Illuminator!)

This blood the priests “sprinkled” in Old Testament days was an act they alone could do. The offerer did NOT sprinkle the blood of his sacrifice! He could slay it (at times) … but that sprinkling job was solely the priests! He took the blood before God, particularly in the sin offering! (Even into the very Holy of Holies on the Day of Atonement!)

Now hereafter … when I read about the “Blood of Sprinkling” in the New Testament I am going to see something that has little to do with me. I can sprinkle no blood! That’s the Job of the Priest, my High Priest, the Lord Jesus Christ! He sprinkled that Blood, His Own Blood!

In Hebrews 12:24 Paul is offering praise to God, and … “to JESUS the MEDIATOR (PRIEST) of the new covenant, and to the BLOOD OF SPRINKLING, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.”

Jesus (I believe) sprinkled his Own Blood (in the Heavenly Sanctuary) on the Altar near the very Presence of Almighty God!

I have been “washed” in the blood!

But that Blood only has it Power because Jesus (the offerer) gave (willingly shed) it on the Cross … then (the great High Priest) took it to Glory where He sprinkled it there on the real Mercy Seat! And the Father is hence totally satisfied!

Hallelujah!

If you feel I am reading too much into Hebrews 9:12-14, you will just have to overlook me! “Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by HIS OWN BLOOD he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?”

If the “sprinkled” blood of animals satisfied God (at least temporarily … until the Real Lamb could come) SURELY MUCH, MUCH MORE has the “sprinkled” BLOOD OF JESUS satisfied God (eternally) … thus meeting every need in the life of a believer!

Amazing!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

I have not been sprinkled with the Blood, I have been washed in that Blood! The “sprinkling” speaks of the Perfect Work Jesus my High Priest has accomplished (on my behalf) at the Right Hand of God Almighty!

Let me go worship Him a while …

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

.