The Meaning of the Old Testament Sacrifices
The Meaning of the Old Testament Sacrifices
There are two levels of an ox, rams/sheep, and doves/pigeons and each of them represents the people themselves as they progress through the Stages of Life. There is one animal type and shadow that is only in the priests’ stages, and it is the ass.
The symbolism is as follows:
Priests Stage of Life Stage Number
Man Completion 10
Woman Separation 9
Child Sovereignty 8
Ox Witness 7
Ass Abundant Life 6
Rams/Sheep Mercy 5
Turtle Doves/Pigeons Being 4
Congregation
Ox Power of Love 3
Rams/Sheep Redemption 2
Turtle Doves/Pigeons Humility 1
There is no sacrifice for those past the “Child Stage of Life;” because they have grown too much and there is no way for them to continue just like Esau experienced, and we are warned in the following verses.
Hebrews 12:16-17 Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.
Hebrews 6:4-6 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.
An ox supplies much increase, but it leaves a dirty stall.
An ass is what Jesus rode victoriously into Jerusalem.
The sheep/ram is Jesus’ redemptive works of mercy.
Turtledoves and pigeons are the Lord’s humbled beings offering.
The offerings of each Stage is the person being crucified with Christ and no longer living to attain the next Stage and continue their journey into maturity.