In Leviticus chapter nine, verse eight, God instituted animal sacrifice as an ordinance whereby sinners might draw near Him in repentance and faith to experience forgiveness, salvation, and fellowship.
The offering of an animal was an object lesson, pointing to the principle of vicarious sacrifice and substitutionary atonement. The animal sacrifice life offers in the place of the sinful and guilty worshiper. The atonement expressed a person’s repentance and constituted both a profession of sin and recognition of the need for cleansing and redemption. When a sacrifice occurs in faith and obedience, God was pleased with the act of the worshiper and so imparted to that individual the desired grace and forgiveness The sacrifice provided atonement through the “covering up” of sin.
Note that from the New Testament perspective, the animal sacrifices were imperfect in that they could not bring the worshipers into a state of mature faith and obedience that is now available under the new covenant. This law served as a shadow or a preliminary sketch of the “one sacrifice for sins forever” for all time. Jesus Christ provided the opportunity by offering His body once and for all.`
Aaron was the priest who helped lead the people out of Egypt under the instruction of God, working through his younger brother Moses. Although his position was significant, Aaron did fail in many ways and had to repent and offer a sin offering on his behalf. Today, believers do not have to offer any sacrifice because Jesus Christ made the ultimate contribution to humanity. He paid the price for our sins on the cross so that people would accept Him, receive salvation, and have eternal life. Like Aaron, there are times when we will be in an unexpected situation that calls to make a decision. Sometimes under the influence of society, we tend to make the wrong ones that may lead to sin. However, we should ask Jesus to forgive our sins and to remember to call upon Him when we are unsure of what choice to make when a potentially uncomfortable situation occurs.