DO NOT BRING ANYTHING WITH A DEFECT: This prohibition
is elaborated upon in Deu 15:21; 17:1: any would-be offering which is lame or
blind or has any obvious flaw must not be brought. And the prophet Malachi
warns, "When you bring blind animals for sacrifice, is that not wrong? When you
sacrifice crippled or diseased animals, is that not wrong?" (Mal
1:8,13,14).
Of course, in the fulfillment of the "type" or "prophecy" of
the Law of Moses, the only sacrifice that was absolutely perfect and without
defect was the Lord Jesus Christ, who "offered himself unblemished to God" (Heb
9:14; cp 1Pe 1:19).
Lev 22:21
WHEN ANYONE BRINGS FROM THE HERD OR FLOCK A FELLOWSHIP
OFFERING... IT MUST BE WITHOUT DEFECT OR BLEMISH TO BE ACCEPTABLE: And as
the offering should be, so also the OFFERER should be! The one who comes into
the presence of the LORD to offer sacrifice must also be above reproach, even as
regards interpersonal relationships: "Therefore, if you are offering your gift
at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you,
leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your
brother; then come and offer your gift" (Mat 5:23,24).
Of course, in the ultimate sense, such verses as these are
reminders to us that -- no matter how well we may prepare ourselves -- we are
NOT perfect: we have many defects and blemishes, and were it not for the one
perfect, all-encompassing sacrifice of Christ, for all people and all time, we
would be utterly without hope. Flesh cannot boast of itself in the presence of
God; it must humbly and thankfully take hold of the One who is truly without
blemish, seeking through him for the forgiveness which it so desperately
needs.