Part 29: The Meat (Grain) Offering
In
the name of God, Master of the universe, Ruler of the earth
The second chapter of
Leviticus notes the Meat (Grain) Offering. As a voluntary offering it was meant
to show honor and respect to God in worship. This offering also acknowledged
that all we have belongs to God. Meanwhile we see Christ as the perfect man,
who gave all of himself to God and others.
Leviticus 2:1.
"And 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”:
The word meat in this
passage means meal or a grain product. Thus throughout this chapter we find the
description of a major sacrifice that was exclusively vegetable. "Fine
flour" was achieved by taking a great deal of time to beat the flour into
a fine texture.
When we look at the
phrase, "and he shall pour oil upon it", we see the out pouring of
the Holy Spirit. However oil (olive oil) had several uses. Olive oil was a
prime article of food, for example the bread during a meal are snack etc. was
dipped in oil. It was used for cooking, for anointing and for lightning. Oil
was also one of the principal ingredients for making soap (Jeremiah 2:22).
As we continue to
explore and digest this passage of scripture in Leviticus 2:1 we come to the
final phrase, "and put frankincense thereon": therefore what is
frankincense and what is incense? What came first frankincense or incense? In
the definitive qualities of these two words we may find the answer.
Incense is the
translation of two distinct Hebrew words that later came to mean the same
thing. Incense is described as an aromatic substance made of gums and spices
that are burned, especially in religious worship. Incense also noted a definite
composition of stacte, onycha, galbanum, and pure frankincense, and was
tempered with salt. (See Exodus 30:23).
The following
scripture references further note the regulations that governed incense. Exodus
30:34-38, Leviticus 10:1-7, Exodus 30:9. The use of incense was common in the
religious ceremonies of nearly all ancient nations and was extensively used in
the ritual of Israel.
Frankincense is a
resinous substance obtained from certain trees of the balsam family.
Frankincense has been used as a perfume, as a medicine, and by Egyptians and
Hebrews in their religious rites. Frankincense is noted in scripture as coming
from Arabia (Isaiah 60:6, Jeremiah 6:20). There is also a reference to
frankincense coming from Palestine (Song of Solomon 4:6, 14).
Regarding offerings
frankincense was mingled with the flour in the meal offering (Leviticus 2:1,
15, 16). However in Leviticus 5:11 it was rigidly excluded from the
sin-offerings which was not an offering tempered with a sweet savor. It is also
recorded that after the birth of Jesus, the wise men presented to Him gifts of
gold, frankincense and myrrh (Matthew 2:11, 15).
As we return to
Leviticus 2:1 we note that this offering accompanied all burnt offerings and
was a gift of thanks to God. It reminded the people that food came from God and
without God they would not have life. As we move through this chapter, we will
see the following meat offerings listed:
1. Fine flour with
oil and frankincense.
2. Baked cakes or
wafers of fine flour and oil.
3. Roasted Kernels of
grain (corn) with oil and frankincense.
There are several
other factors that are very important in an understanding of the scripture
noted in Leviticus 2. The absence of leaven revealed and symbolized the absence
of sin. Oil symbolized God's presence. Also part of the meat offering was
burned on the altar as a gift to God, and the rest was eaten by the Priests.
This offering as did the other offerings help support them in their work.
Leviticus 2:11.
"No meat offering, which 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”.
In order to
understand why leaven was not allowed in the meat offering we will define
leaven. Leaven which is yeast is a bacterial fungus or mold; this is the active
ingredient in leaven. Yeast therefore is an appropriate symbol for sin.
Meanwhile we note that a little yeast can affect the whole loaf of bread, just
as a little sin can ruin a whole life. (See Matthew 16:6, Mark 8:15, Jesus
talks about the leaven of the Pharisees and the Sadducees). Honey was also
excluded, it represented natural sweetness.
Leviticus 2:13.
"And every oblation of thy meat offering shalt thou season with salt;
neither shalt thou suffer the salt of the covenant of thy God to be lacking
from thy meat offering with all thine offerings thou shalt offer salt”.
Salt is the final
ingredient which was included in the meal offering. Salt is a preservative and
is the opposite of leaven. Offerings when seasoned with salt remind the people
of the covenant (contract) with God. In Arab countries an agreement was sealed
with a gift of salt to show the strength and permanence of the contract.
Believers are called "the salt of the earth”. (Matthew 5:13).
carl@freedomjournalpress.comcastbiz.net