Leviticus 2;1-16



Offerings were an integral part of life and worship for the children of Israel.  God gave them very clear instructions as to how they should prepare and make these offerings.  We must recognize that while we are not required to make burnt offerings today since Christ has paid the price for our sin; we must still worship God in the manner that He prescribes and not just according to our own bent.  There are several correlations between the grain offerings and our own offerings that are interesting to consider.
THE GRAIN OFFERINGS WERE WITHOUT YEAST: There were several different types of grain offerings that were prepared to bring to the altar.  They were baked or fried or prepared in a vast variety of manners.  However, one thing that they all had in common was that they were prepared without yeast.  Yeast is symbolic of sin and so it was vital for the offerings to be made without yeast in them.  I think that this is very significant for us to keep in mind today.  We have many opportunities to offer of ourselves in service to the Lord.  We sing, speak, serve and sacrifice of our time and money in the name of worship.  However, too often we participate in these “ministries” out of a guilty conscience in some sort of an effort to “make up” for our sin.  We try to salve our consciences through endless activities with which we occupy ourselves.  What we must remember is that God wants all of our offerings to be made with holy hearts.  Before we begin to buzz around trying to “help” God, we must deal with our sin through Christ.  We can never make up for our sin.  Christ has paid all that must be paid, but we must walk in holiness before Him.
THE GRAIN OFFERINGS WERE TO HELP PRIESTS: A portion of the grain offerings was burnt on the altar.  However, another portion was to be given to the priests as a means of sustaining them.  Giving to the needs of those who lead and care for us spiritually was a principle that God established from the very beginning.  God wants those who serve in the ministry to have their physical needs met through the work that they are called to do.  We must always remember to be thankful for those whom God has set over us to minister to us spiritually.  We should joyfully contribute to their well being and they must gratefully trust in God’s provision.  Unfortunately, our giving is often done in a grudging manner instead of a grateful one and far too many ministers demand more instead of delighting in what God provides.  God would have us give and receive with joy.

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