Leviticus 4, Survey of the Offerings (2)

In Leviticus 2 the instructions are given for the one offering that does not involve an animal: the meal/grain offering.  This offering is about the holiness/ sanctification (2:3) of the offerer.  According to the law of the grain offering (6:14-23) it was given along with a burnt offering (6:14-18).  When it was part of the priests ordination the entire offering was burned; what the priests give to God they do not eat (6:19-23). 

The fine flour (2:1,4,5,7) is a picture of Christ’s sinless/righteous humanity.  The flour being mixed with oil is a picture of the mix of Christ’s life with the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:35; 4:1,18; oil is generally considered to be one of the pictures of the Spirit).  The grain is offered with incense (2:1f,15), reminding us of the fragrant aroma Christ gives off when under the intense pressure of humanity.  Frankincense, of course, was a gift from the magi to the Savior at His birth.  Leaven is a picture of evil; thus, it is omitted from the grain (2:4f,11) even as there was no sin found in Christ.  The prohibition against honey might seem strange.  Like leaven it putrefies sooner when burned.  Some see the thought that it represents natural goodness that might keep us from the best things (the will of God) and might even keep us from obedience (Prov. 25:27).  The salt of the covenant (2:13) is a preservative, speaking of the faithfulness of Christ.

Some grain was baked in the fire; some was not.  The fire (2:2,9,16) reminds us of Christ’s suffering through which He was perfected (Heb. 2:10; 5:8).  As priests partook of the grain offering (2:3,10) so we must partake of Christ (Jn. 6:53-58).

Let’s compare and contrast the burnt and grain offerings.

Burnt Offering

Animal, bloody, wholly consumed

Propitiatory

Christ the Savior, propitiation for sins

Justification, forgiveness, atonement

Calls for penitence

 

Grain Offering

Vegetable, unbloody, partially consumed

Celebration, thanksgiving

Christ the model, sanctifier

Sanctification, conformity to Christ

Calls for gratitude

However, they are not to be separated (Ex. 29:38-41; Num. 15:1-5).  They are two parts of one great transaction.  Atonement with forgiveness of sin must come first.  But it is never apart from sanctification.  The same sacrifice that gives us a righteous standing before God also sanctifies us.  “If we have effectually laid hold upon Christ as the sacrifice for our sins, we must needs go on to glorify Him in our bodies and our spirits, which are his.  No attempt to be holy shall ever succeed before God, unless founded upon atonement by blood.”  This was Cain’s problem in Gen. 4, seeking to be righteous apart from the shedding of blood. (Joseph Seiss, commentary on Leviticus, p42 … see bibliography for details.)