A five-part series dealing with the five Offerings of Leviticus.

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• The Burnt Offering

• The Meal Offering

• The Peace Offering

• The Sin Offering

• The Trespass Offering

 

The Meat Offering, like the Burnt Offering, both offerings denote consumption. May we be separate from the ill things of this world that we may be consumed in Christ, to Whom the Offerings represent.
 

As aforementioned, these things were a shadow of that which was to come, we do not practice them for they were fulfilled in Christ, of whom they all pointed to in types, symbols and shadows. Thus, He said; search the scriptures; for in them you think you have eternal life: and they are they which testify of Me. (John 5:39)

 

Therefore, as we search the scriptures concerning the topic of the Five Offerings, let us not viewed them as a legalistic command that must be enacted to earn God’s grace. Nevertheless, through the revelations therein we shall contract a glimpse of the wonders acts of God throughout the ages.

 

The second of the five offerings to expound is that of the Meat Offering, or the Meal Offering.

 

Although the Leviticus Offerings are unique within themselves, as distinct offerings, we learn of their importance separately through these studies, but their greatness is only realized when they are presented as a whole, together, they all represent Christ our Lord, and our relationship with him.  
 

Through the studies, we will expound each Offerings as a distinct offering, so that we may better understand our relation to the offerings in types and shadows and overall the representation of the offerings as Christ, in our lives. 
 

Even Though we study the two Offerings separately, (The Burnt Offering and the Meat Offering) but they must be viewed as the continuation of one. The first dealt with the gruesome effect of sin and the remedy thereof. Now, the latter give us an insight to the gratitude for the remission of sin. Where a tremendous gift is obtained, gratitude must be seen. 

 

For this gratitude, we will expound the Meat offering, which is also called the Grain Offering.

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The Hebrew word describing the Meat Offering is the word minchah, which means a gift, with the idea of an inferior giving a gift to a superior. Humanity in its fallen state is the inferior, when we as believers recognizes the blessings of God unto us, let us not dwell on the constant state of only seeing our shortcomings, but with the heart of gratitude, may we present our Meat Offering to the Lord. 

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Though the word meat is used in the name of this Offering; however, it had nothing to do with a flesh of an animal, like that of the Burnt offering. This isn’t a contradiction nor a misunderstanding, but rather a difference in the use and the understanding of words, then and now. 

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The period of the Offerings 

The time of the Offerings was that of Israel of old. Today, the word “meat” refers to a flesh; however, during the time of our text, in Biblical days, meat simply referred to food, usually grains. Consequently, this offering in its names as Meat Offering, or Grain Offering, it can also be referred to as the Meal Offering, as indicated in the title.

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For this study, the titles will be used interchangeably, with Grain Offering being the focus of the exposition.  

 

The background of the Meat Offering and its applications toward us and to the Lord.    

The Meat Offering also refers to as the Grain Offering, its latter name should give us a better insight to the implication of the offering. As a Grain offering, it came from the harvest of the land. Now, considering a harvest is the season of reaping and gathering, consequently, before we reap and gather that which is needful to us, we must labor to do that which is right. The Grain Offering symbolized the recognition of God’s blessing to the believer through the harvest of the land; however, before the time of blessing, there must be the time of sacrifice.

 

Since we in ourselves cannot be a sacrifice for the cause to a change, so Christ became our sacrifice. This is represented through the previous offering, the Burnt Offering. 

Therein, blood was represented for the remission of sin. Christ died on the Cross once, and resurrected. Today, when we place our faith in Christ, we died to the sin nature that we may rise in newness of life. 

 

Herein, this is clearly represented in the Grain Offering, as the Burnt offering represented Christ death, the Grain Offering represents His life. Since He live, let us live also by the reason of faith in Him.  

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The substance of the Grain Offering and its preparation in relation to Christ.

For the introduction to this, we read according to the second chapter of Leviticus.  
When any will offer a meat offering unto the LORD, his offering shall be of fine flour; and he shall pour oil upon it, and put frankincense thereon Leviticus 2:1 

 

The points of interest giving herein are, fine flour, oil and frankincense, but before the exposition, let us first proceed to the circumstances surrounding the preparation. The flour and the oil were to be baked in an oven, or in a pan, or fried in a frying pan. Though fire is portrayed here like that of the Burnt Offering, however, the fire spoken of here is not of judgment, but rather the newness of life, or the forming of something new through the purge of flame. 

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Likewise, the Grain Offering in its representation of Christ, though it is presented with fire, but without judgment the offering serves a new life for all who will freely partake.

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The Grain Offering representing Christ in His perfection. 

As previously mentioned, the Grain Offering was to be a fine flour with oil and frankincense. 

 

Fine flour

The fine flour spoken of here denotes Christ in His perfection. The fine refers to that which is thoroughly grind. There was not a single grain found in the fine flour, but all even and without any unevenness, rendering it smooth without any roughness to the touch. Such is Christ our Lord. In Him is nothing uneven, nor the roughness and harshness of this world had anything on Him, no matter the pressure and circumstance of this world when he did walk among us, He stays the same, smooth and perfected throughout His being. In Him there is nothing unseemly or forbidding. He was anointed with the oil of the Holy Spirit, that is to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Luke 4:1 

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The fine flour formed the basis of the Meat Offering. Therefore, all that we present to God, may Christ be the center of it all, in His perfection.

The next substance of the offering was that of the oil. 

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Oil

He shall pour oil upon it (The fine flour) 

 

Once again, herein we see the representation of our blessed Lord as our representative man to God our Father. The phrase, and He shall pour oil upon it, refers to the oil being poured on the fine flour, wherewith it adds to the substance of the fine flour while becoming one with the fine flour, it ushers in a total transformation. 

As Christ is our example, we seek to be like Him. In His perfection like unto the fine flour, we cried, dear Lord remove all the imperfection in me, make me as one with Thee. 

However, let us not seek perfection without the pouring in of the Holy Spirit in us, the representation of the oil being pour into the fine flour. Though a man and a woman can put themselves through all the religious regiments of purification, day in and day out, to smooth out all the imperfections like that of the fine flour. However, without the pouring in of the oil, the representation of the Holy Spirit in their lives, he or she is nothing more, but a fine specimen waiting to be blown by every wind that flows, forgotten and lost, but with the Holy Spirit in us, we formed a new substance, ready to be presented to the Lord. May we be a sweet savor to our God through Christ our Lord.

 

For this, we will observe the third substance of the Grain Offering.

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Frankincense

And he (The one bringing the offering) shall bring it to Aaron's sons the priests: and he shall take thereout his handful of the flour thereof, and of the oil thereof, with all the frankincense thereof; and the priest shall burn the memorial of it upon the altar, to be an offering made by fire, of a sweet savor unto the LORD Leviticus 2:2 

 

Like the oil, which was poured upon the fine flour, here we see the third substance, (frankincense) to be “put” on the fine flour in the preparation of the Grain Offering. The word “put” that is used here, it gives us a deeper insight to the preparation. The Hebrew word for put in this passage is nathan (naw-than') and in its many meanings such as, to give, set or consecrate, the latter shall suffice in the exposition of the passage. To consecrate means to set apart and bless. 

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Such was the Grain Offering, a portion was set apart, with the frankincense being poured thereon. Frankincense is bitter, therefore, the portion set apart here, or consecrated wasn’t meant for eating. Frankincense serves in two aspects, the physical and the spiritual. 

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The white-like color of the frankincense represents the purity of Christ our Lord and the reflection wherewith He is reflected in us to the world, this is the physical aspect. Secondly, the representation of its fragrance while burning with the portion of the Grain Offering on the altar, it served as the spiritual aspect of the two. 

 

May we not only be seen outwardly as righteous, but through Christ, our work and dealing may serve as a sweet fragrance to the Lord on high. The merging of the two, the outward appearance of purification and the inward representation of righteousness ushers in the state of intercession and prayer. Let us take hold the need of adding prayer to our sacrifice, that through Christ we may be acceptable by God. 

 

This we know, Christ is our Intercessor who lives forever. Therefore, He is able, now and always, to save those who come to God through Him because He lives forever to plead with God for us all. Hebrews 7:25. 

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No one comes to God without going through Jesus Christ. John 14:6
No one comes to Jesus Christ without abiding at the Cross. Luke 9:23
The altar during the time of our text, is the representation of the Cross of today. As it was at the altar the consecration of the Grain Offering was made to be accepted as a sweet savor to God and for a memorial; likewise, can we as believers today bypass the Cross and expect to be accepted by God? Certainly not. The Cross spoken of here isn’t a representation of a physical object to which we pray, nor that which is proudly displayed in homes, or on oneself. The Cross of Christ to the Christian is the memorial of Christ’s Triumph and victory over sin on our behalf. Colossians 2:14-15.

Shall we then not herald from where our victory was won and abide therein? 

 

The memorial 

The Grain Offering of then, may it serve to us today and all eternity as a memorial of Christ our offering to God our Father. Therein, may we never forget what the Lord has done for us as the perfect sacrifice in our stead. For God our Father will never forget. Now, thanks be unto God, which always causes us to triumph in Christ, and makes manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place. For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved. 2 Corinthians 2:14-15 

 

The varieties of food in the Grain Offering, but with consistency of perfection 

There were diverse representations of food to celebrate the offering. From the fine flour mix with oil and first-fruits came: 

• Baked cakes 

• Baked pan cakes (flat) 

• Fried pan cakes (flat) 

• First-fruits of crops 

Though diverse, in their representation, but their consistent rules for preparation became the unity for their perfection, in that they were all to have salt in them. 

 

Salt 

The uniqueness of salt is that it serves as a preservative and a type of the Word of God. Therefore, as we are preserved in Christ to the Father, may all things we do, be carried out with the input of the Word of God. 

 

This we read; And every oblation (offering) of thy meat offering shalt thou season with salt; neither shalt thou suffer (allow) the salt of the covenant of thy God to be lacking from thy meat offering: with all thine offerings thou shalt offer salt. 
Leviticus 2:13 

 

Let the reader observe the repetition in the verse above, with the word salt being the key to the partition of three phrases. Repetitions in the Scriptures serve as a means to bring attention to a cause wherewith the reader ought to take heed. 

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1. And every oblation of thy meat offering shalt thou season with salt

2. Neither shalt thou suffer (allow) the salt of the covenant of thy God to be lacking from thy meat offering

3. With all thine offerings thou shalt offer salt. 

 

Now, let us expound each partition as one, with Christ being the focus, and our relation to Him.

 

And every oblation of thy meat offering shalt thou season with salt

Salt is a preservative and a savor. As Christ is a sweet savor to the Father on our behalf, from everlasting to everlasting for the preservation of us all. Now, in all things we do, let it be done with savor (the sensation of that which is good) In joy for the preservation between us and God through Jesus Christ our Lord. 

 

Neither shalt thou suffer (allow) the salt of the covenant of thy God to be lacking from thy meat offering 

From the preceding passage, herein we are again reminded of God's prescribed order. Like the Tabernacle of old, one could not get to the Holy place and the Holy of Holies, without first approaching the Brazen Altar. The representation of the Cross of Christ.

Likewise, today, let the believer be reminded, the relationship through the Covenant wherewith he or she stands with God, it is because of Christ Jesus (the salt) and never shall this establishment be lacking from what we are to God and Who He is to us. The salt of the covenant represents the incorruptible character of the covenant, and its cleansing properties. For He who is the keeper of the covenant is Christ. All that we do, may we apply Christ, the Word of God to our conversation. (Way of life) 

 

With all thine offerings thou shalt offer salt

In all that we do, let it be done with the sensation of that which is good, for the keeping of the everlasting covenant. Everlasting, for He who mends the covenant is Christ Jesus, the everlasting One.
 

All that we are and all that we do, let us abide in Christ, lest without Him we drift with pride, claiming to perfection while denying the power thereof, and without the show of that which is holy in our lives. 

 

Thus, was the warning of the two substances forbidden from the Grains Offering, leaven and honey.
No meat offering, which ye shall bring unto the LORD, shall be made with leaven: for ye shall burn no leaven, nor any honey, in any offering of the LORD made by fire. Leviticus 2:11

 

That which was excluded from the offering then, (leaven and honey) the two will serve as a warning in our relationship with the Lord, today. 

Unlike, the salt, which is the representation of the word of God, in its characteristics of preservation and cleansing. On the contrary, leaven is the opposite. Therefore, it was excluded from the Grain Offering, which represents Christ. For in Him there is no pride nor corruption. Today, if Christ, the Word of God is not the center of who we are and of our conversation, we in essence invite corruption into our lives, as one of the attributes of a leaven is putrefaction. 

 

Though decaying from within through immorality, yet the individual sees not his or her demise. For the second attribute of a leaven is the ability to cause a substance wherewith it comes in contact with to swell and rise. However, the rising effect of a leaven upon a substance is not of a solid representation, but a fluff. Like a bread made with leaven, from its outward appearance, it presents the image of being big and full, but with pressure on the bread, it deflates, while losing its false appearance. Such is pride in the life of an individual. For they are blind in their wrongdoing, but pompous with false exaltation. 

 

As we read and study the types and symbols of that which was then, to be applied to our lives now, let us not focus only on that which is forbidden such as the leaven. Lest we forget the reason for our study, the Lord Jesus Christ.

 

The Grain Offering in its portrayal of Christ, represents in us a voluntary act of worship. Therewith, we recognize God’s goodness and provision. Therefore, as leaven represents other things, and pride, may we be the opposite of those things, along with pride, by coming into His presence with a humble spirit and thanksgiving. 

 

The worship of God should not be governed by our fancies, nor do we only worship based on that which is pleasing to us. For this reason, symbolically honey was the second of the two-substance omitted from the Grain offering. Though pleasing to man through our taste and sensibility, but true offering to God should be predicated on gratitude rather than pleasure. 

 

From these we perceive the spiritual implications, so that we take hold to that which we have learned. Let us not be fill with pride, nor only desire that which is pleasing, lest we soon become like certain religious leaders of old, to whom Christ issue a rebuttal saying; You are always searching the scriptures, because, as for you, you think that in them you are having life eternal. And those are the ones which testify concerning me. And yet you do not desire to come to me in order that you may be having life. 

 

These we received, and humbly we pray as the apostle Paul once prayed. 

 LORD, THAT I MAY KNOW YOU! 

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🎨PSW·3✒©

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