I have been working in the book of Leviticus, and have been noticing the large quantities of grain that was burnt regularly on the bronze sacrifice altar. I have been pondering this. In the Church, we tend to speak and think of the Old Testament system in terms of the blood of the atonement. I have never heard much talk or teaching, or seen much written, about the significance of the many grain offerings. So, here I go, giving my own thoughts on the subject. First, the facts. The priests were required to burn approximately a gallon of fine flour on the altar every day, as a perpetual statute, half in the morning and half in the evening. Additionally, a prescribed portion of every grain offering was also burnt on the altar, along with some oil and frankincense. Finally, the poorest of the poor, who could not afford so much as a pair of pigeons for their sin offerings, were allowed to substitute about a gallon of fine flour, from which the priest was to burn a handful. We are all very familiar with the concept of the blood of the sacrifices being a picture and a stand-in for the Blood of Christ, which was to be shed for our sins and the sins of all of God’s faithful who went before us. What about the many grain offerings? Here is what I think: we receive forgiveness and access into God’s Presence through the Blood of Christ, or not at all. This is the central theme of the Gospel, and as such, is preeminent. This is not the entirety of God’s Good News, however. “He was bruised for our transgressions, and crushed for our sins, and by His Stripes, we are healed.” Every time we gather around the Lord’s Table (regardless of whether we do it every day, every week, or three times a year), we eat the bread first. “Take, eat, this is my body, broken for you and for many.” Afterward we drink the wine (regardless of whether it is fermented or not). “Drink ye all of it; for this is my blood.” Therefore, I am thinking that the many grain offerings were a type and shadow of the spiritual, emotional, and physical healing provided to us through Our Lord’s broken Body. It goes further than this, however. After the Glorious Resurrection, we became the very Body of Christ. Thus, the daily grain offerings, which were all burnt, also symbolized us, laying our lives on the altar in service to God. The other grain offerings, from which only a portion, a handful, was thrown into the fire, with the oil and the sweet-smelling frankincense, represent the parts of the Body that are sacrificed in a more physical sense, the martyrs, whom we are told are a sweet aroma to God. This is new manna to me. I’m sure there is much I have missed, and parts may be somewhat off-base, but I thought I’d throw it out for you to all pick over and critique.
Posted on: Thu, 20 Mar 2014 19:47:19 +0000
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