Bible Study Notes

Title: +20%

By JK Woodall | Revival Center Hesperia

Main Text: Leviticus 6:1-13 part I (NKJV, NLT, ESV)

📜 Background Context

Leviticus 6:1-7 is not a new section but a continuation of Leviticus 5, which deals with the guilt offering (also called the trespass offering). In Leviticus 5, God introduces the guilt offering for unintentional sins or when someone becomes aware of their guilt through confession. In Leviticus 6:1-7, God provides more details—especially for sins against one's neighbor, such as theft, deceit, oppression, or false witnessing.

The message is clear: Restitution is required not only to God but also to the one offended. Notably, the guilty person must return what was stolen or wrongfully kept and add 20% (a fifth) to it as part of their atonement. This requirement emphasizes God’s value on restoration, justice, and full reconciliation.

📖 Main Text Reading

Leviticus 6:1-7 (NKJV)

And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying:
"If a person sins and commits a trespass against the Lord by lying to his neighbor about what was delivered to him for safekeeping, or about a pledge, or about a robbery, or if he has extorted from his neighbor,
or if he has found what was lost and lies concerning it, and swears falsely—in any one of these things that a man may do in which he sins:
then it shall be, because he has sinned and is guilty, that he shall restore what he has stolen, or the thing which he has extorted, or what was delivered to him for safekeeping, or the lost thing which he found,
or all that about which he has sworn falsely. He shall restore its full value, add one-fifth more to it, and give it to whomever it belongs, on the day of his trespass offering.
And he shall bring his trespass offering to the Lord, a ram without blemish from the flock, with your valuation, as a trespass offering, to the priest.
So the priest shall make atonement for him before the Lord, and he shall be forgiven for any one of these things that he may have done in which he trespasses."

✨ Leviticus 6:8-13 (NKJV)

Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying,
"Command Aaron and his sons, saying, 'This is the law of the burnt offering: The burnt offering shall be on the hearth upon the altar all night until morning, and the fire of the altar shall be kept burning on it.
And the priest shall put on his linen garment, and his linen trousers he shall put on his body, and take up the ashes of the burnt offering which the fire has consumed on the altar, and he shall put them beside the altar.
Then he shall take off his garments, put on other garments, and carry the ashes outside the camp to a clean place.
And the fire on the altar shall be kept burning on it; it shall not be put out. And the priest shall burn wood on it every morning, and lay the burnt offering in order on it; and he shall burn on it the fat of the peace offerings.
A fire shall always be burning on the altar; it shall never go out.'"

💡 Key Insight — Why "+20%"?

The additional one-fifth (20%) teaches us that forgiveness is not just about returning what was lost—it’s about going beyond. It is an act of grace, accountability, and a symbolic way to make sure that restoration is not just equal but overflowing.

This points forward to the ministry of Christ who, when He forgives, gives us more than we lost! He doesn't just restore; He multiplies.

🟣 Cross References

Exodus 22:1 (NKJV)

"If a man steals an ox or a sheep, and slaughters it or sells it, he shall restore five oxen for an ox and four sheep for a sheep."

Luke 19:8-9 (ESV) — Zacchaeus' Restitution

And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, "Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold."
And Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house..."

Matthew 5:23-24 (NLT)

"So if you are presenting a sacrifice at the altar in the Temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you,
leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God."

Proverbs 6:30-31 (NKJV)

People do not despise a thief if he steals to satisfy himself when he is starving.
Yet when he is found, he must restore sevenfold; He may have to give up all the substance of his house.

🔥 Symbolism of the Fire (Lev 6:8-13)

The continual fire on the altar represents God's presence, constant communion, and unbroken worship.
The ashes show that the sacrifice is consumed but remembered.
The priest maintaining the fire teaches us to continually tend to our personal altar — prayer, worship, and obedience.

Paul later echoes this in Romans 12:1 (ESV):

"I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship."

✅ Teaching Points

Sin requires full accountability — including to those we wrong.
Restitution goes beyond repayment — God expects us to make things whole and then some.
Worship is continual — The fire must never go out in our lives.
God is the God of more — Just as the offender adds 20%, God adds grace and blessing far beyond what we deserve.

✨ Closing Reflection

Where have you only returned what you lost but not added the “+20%” in relationships or repentance?
Is the fire on your altar still burning?
Are you bringing a pure and continual offering to the Lord?

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