Leviticus 2 Commentary
Chapter 1 looked at burnt offerings – cattle, sheep/goats, or birds. Chapter 2 looks at grain offerings. Only a handful is burned. The rest is consumed by the Aaronic priests. The smaller portion is consumed by the LORD while the bigger portion is consumed by Aaron and his sons.
It sets for us a pattern of generosity. Man takes the bigger portion. God loves us more than we love Him. We have the bigger portion of God’s generosity.
No yeast is to be used with bread offerings. Again, only a portion is used up and the rest is given to the priests. Salt is added to every offering as a preservative, an indication of the need to preserve the covenant between the LORD and His people.
The offering of first fruits looks like other grain offerings. As a crop, yeast can be offered as a “first fruit” offering. But it shouldn’t be processed with bread as its effect on the bread represents sin.
Interestingly, the Bible mentions grain offerings, though the required offering is in form of flour or bread – processed grain. Today saints can bring money instead of flour or animals. This would be like processed grain!
Instead of offering an actual service, e.g. sweeping the church, this offering can be processed and an amount equivalent to sweeping can be offered at the Sanctuary. The problem today is that processed offerings (money) amount to nothing when converted back to a service or a product at the Sanctuary.
Verse 16 is similar to verse 17 of Chapter 1 in emphasis. These offerings are food offerings to the LORD. They represent our generosity in sharing our food with our God. In this particular chapter, we have seen that a larger portion of what the people give to the LORD is given back to the men who are serving in the Tabernacle.
Feeding the LORD in the New Testament may come in the form of giving “to the least of my brothers”. The LORD needs more in the New Testament including clothes, water, and visitation among other things. The scripture here teaches us the importance of giving valuable portions to the poor, not just my rejects. Again the thought that I’m giving to the LORD should inspire me to do more.
The burning of food in the fire can be thought of as a way in which the LORD consumes the food. In Exodus, the LORD appeared to Moses in a fire or as the fire. And significantly, the entire community of God’s people came to associate the significance of the LORD’S presence with fire, given the many physical appearances in the form of fire. In addition, they enjoyed God’s constant company in the form of a Pillar of fire by night.
We also observe that the food is to be prepared with maximum care and done to the highest standard possible. It’s meant for someone very important – in fact someone most important. In Chapter 1, the animals selected are physically in perfect condition and have to be washed thoroughly before being subjected to the fire. In Chapter 2 the flour has to be of the highest standard. In Chapters 1 and 2, the concept of sacrifices is simple: Feeding the LORD.
The second part of Exodus saw humanity construct a house for the LORD. Now that the LORD is well accommodated, Leviticus Chapters 1 and 2 are about humanity providing food for the LORD.
More resources visit http://www.lovingscripture.com
LOVING SCRIPTURE 