The Burden of Leadership
Leviticus 1-4 Something unusual pops out of the description of the offerings so carefully detailed as the book of Leviticus begins. “ If the anointed priest sins [unintentionally], bringing guilt on the people, … ” (4:3). Then follows the instructions concerning the appropriate sacrifice that must be made to atone for that sin. As the chapter progresses, others are singled out: “ If the whole Israelite community sins unintentionally and does what is forbidden…they are guilty ” (4:13). “ When a leader sins unintentionally and does what is forbidden…he is guilty ” (4:22). “ If a member of the community sins unintentionally…he is guilty ” (4:27). In Israel’s history there were often corporate consequences to the sin of the individual, Achan being a prime example (Joshua 7). But here in this particular list the sin of the priest, however unintentional, is specifically mentioned as having consequences for the people not just for the individual who sinned. Beyond simple consequences, the wr...