Leviticus 2
-Grain offerings are the law emphasis here in the second
chapter, which offer some interesting things to note. The grain offering
accompanied the burnt offerings as a memorial gift of thanks to God for His
provision and care. It was to remind the people of His devotion to them, and
that they in turn owed their lives to Him. There are three types of grain
offerings listed: 1) fine flour with oil poured on it and frankincense put on
it, 2) oven baked unleavened cakes or wafers mixed or spread with oil, and 3)
roasted unleavened kernels of fine flour grain made on the griddle mixed with
oil. Oil represents the presence of God, which is in every offering. Frankincense
signifies the clarification from the falsity of evil to the inmost spiritual
truth of good in God (see http://www.biblemeanings.info/Words/Plant/Frankincense.htm).
Leaven (yeast) is a bacterial fungus or mold, which symbolizes sin in the
Jewish ritual system. The absence of leaven represents then an absence of sin,
which is vital to coming into right relationship with God (Leviticus 2:11,
honey is added here too as an agent of the fermentation process). Leaven grows
in bread like sin grows in a life if left unchecked and unrepented. It is the perfect
symbol of how damaging sin can be. “A little leaven leavens the whole lump of
dough (1 Corinthians 5:6, Galatians 5:9).” These grain offerings are again “a
soothing aroma to the LORD (Leviticus 2:2, 9),” which denotes His acceptance. Moreover,
these grain offerings were to be seasoned with salt. This is a familiar
biblical theme bridging the expanse of both the Old and New Testaments (Numbers
18:19, 2 Chronicles 13:5, Matthew 5:13, Mark 9:50, Colossians 4:6). This salt
has implications as to the covenant of God with His people and them with Him. In
this culture agreements were sealed with a presentational gift of salt to
represent the strength and permanence of the contract. Therefore, when Jesus
speaks of believers being the “salt of the earth,” He is giving us a permanent
and powerful position in His Kingdom. Finally, the last portion of this chapter
deals with the fact that everyone could be included in the grain offerings.
Crushed heads of grain mixed with oil and baked was typical of the average
person’s diet in this ancient culture. Even very poor people could afford to
fulfill this offering by fire as a token of their respect and devotion to the
LORD.
-*Application* Several times the text refers to these
offerings as being offerings of fire. The fire of the Son, the Father, and the
Holy Spirit burns away our sin and condemnation (Matthew 3:11, Deuteronomy 4:24,
Acts 2:3-4, Romans 8:1-4). This fire of the LORD makes us holy, and our return offering
of thanks is ever appreciated by the Holy One. Today offer your own sacrifice
of praise unto God for all that He has done for you (Hebrews 13:15).
Verse to Memorize: Leviticus
2:1
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