LEVITICUS. Windows into the Heart of God

Transcription

1 LEVITICUS Windows into the Heart of God

2 Valentine s Day Gratitude Appreciation Dedication

3 (מ נ ח ה) Offering: Grain The term minhâ means in general a gift, whether as an expression of reverence (Jdg. 6:19; 1 Sa. 10:27), gratitude (Ps. 96:8), homage (Gn. 32:14; 43:11, 15, 25) or allegiance (2 Sa. 8:2, 6:2; 2 Ch. 17:11). R.K. Harrison

4 Grain Offering: Redheaded Stepchild The grain offering seems the poor relation among the sacrifices of Israel. Derek Tidball

5 Sacrifice: A Robust Theology The theology of sacrifice will make clear to us the complexity of sin, the grander of grace, and fullness of forgiveness.

6 Sacrifice: Logical/Theological Order Burnt (Whole Burnt) Offering Soothing Aroma Grain (Meal) Offering Peace (Fellowship) Offering Offerings Sin (Purification) Offering Trespass (Reparation) Offering

7 Sacrifice: A Robust Theology Fellowship (Peace Offering) Dedication (Meal Offering) Atonement (Burnt Offering)

8 Grain Offering: Dedication Is fitting for those who have been accepted by God through sacrificial atonement to express their dedication to him. This is the relationship between the meal and burnt offerings. The meal offering was an acknowledgment that everything the offerer had and was belonged to God; and now, a portion of that substance was given back to God as an expression of the belief that God was the source of and the provider for life. Allen Ross

9 The Law: Regulation vs. Revelation Burnt offerings (ch. 1) Meal offerings (ch. 2) Peace offerings (ch. 3) cattle (vv. 3-9) uncooked (vv. 1-3) cattle (vv. 1-5) sheep or goats (vv ) cooked (vv. 4-10) sheep (vv. 6-11) birds (vv ) firstfruit (vv ) goats (vv )

10 Application Those who receive atonement from God must acknowledge that they have been bought with a price and therefore must glorify God. Allen Ross

11 Theology: God in the Details God used the performance of these symbolic, sacred actions to teach Israel spiritual truth. It is for this reason that Samuel Ballentine has commented that the readers of Leviticus we'll find God in the details. Derek Tidball

12 An Invitation: When someone When anyone brings a grain offering to the Lord, their offering is to be of the finest flour. They are to pour olive oil on it, put incense on it and take it to Aaron s sons the priests. Leviticus 2:1-2

13 someone, anyone, soul (נ פ ש) The word chosen to describe the person invited to participate in the meal offering is more broad than for those invited to participate in the animal offerings. This term includes all humans and is chosen to emphasize that God desired all people, both male and female to be dedicated to Him.

14 Anyone: All People are Invited The instructions in this case are not address simply to a man ( ādām) but to a person, anyone (nepeš). The word choice emphasizes that God desired the dedication of all his people, both men and women. Allen Ross

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17 Grain Offering: Variety uncooked (2:1-3) cooked (2:4-10) - in an oven -on a griddle -in a pan firstfruits to the Lord (1:14-16)

18 Grain Offering: Ingredients Grain - fine wheat flour Oil - flammable, joy, Holy Spirit Salt - preservative, flavor Incense - adds aroma no leaven or honey - corruption

19 Grain Offering: Uncooked Flour When anyone brings a grain offering to the Lord, their offering is to be of the finest flour. They are to pour olive oil on it, put incense on it and take it to Aaron s sons the priests. The priest shall take a handful of the flour and oil, together with all the incense, and burn this as a memorial[a] portion on the altar, a food offering, an aroma pleasing to the Lord. The rest of the grain offering belongs to Aaron and his sons; it is a most holy part of the food offerings presented to the Lord. Leviticus 2:1-3

20 Grain Offering: Cooked Flour If you bring a grain offering baked in an oven, it is to consist of the finest flour: either thick loaves made without yeast and with olive oil mixed in or thin loaves made without yeast and brushed with olive oil. If your grain offering is prepared on a griddle, it is to be made of the finest flour mixed with oil, and without yeast. Crumble it and pour oil on it; it is a grain offering. If your grain offering is cooked in a pan, it is to be made of the finest flour and some olive oil. Bring the grain offering made of these things to the Lord; present it to the priest, who shall take it to the altar. He shall take out the memorial portion from the grain offering and burn it on the altar as a food offering, an aroma pleasing to the Lord. The rest of the grain offering belongs to Aaron and his sons; it is a most holy part of the food offerings presented to the Lord. Leviticus 2:4-10

21 Grain Offering: No Yeast or Honey Every grain offering you bring to the Lord must be made without yeast, for you are not to burn any yeast or honey in a food offering presented to the Lord. You may bring them to the Lord as an offering of the firstfruits, but they are not to be offered on the altar as a pleasing aroma. Leviticus 2:11-12

22 Grain Offering: Salt Required Season all your grain offerings with salt. Do not leave the salt of the covenant of your God out of your grain offerings; add salt to all your offerings. Leviticus 2:13

23 Grain Offering: Firstfruits If you bring a grain offering of firstfruits to the Lord, offer crushed heads of new grain roasted in the fire. Put oil and incense on it; it is a grain offering. The priest shall burn the memorial portion of the crushed grain and the oil, together with all the incense, as a food offering presented to the Lord. Leviticus 2:14-16

24 Grain Offering: Ritual A small memorial portion is burned. The most holy part is given to the priests. It is an aroma pleasing to the Lord

25 grain offering (מ נ ח ה) This word communicates the idea of the sacrifice is a tribute or homage paid to one who is your superior. The idea is that you owe something to this person because they have provided something for you or you are indebted to them in some way. The gift itself is not as important as the attitude.

26 Grain Offering: Dedication The meal offering was an acknowledgment that everything the offerer had and was belonged to God; and now, a portion of that substance was given back to God as an expression of the belief that God was the source and the provider for life. Allen Ross

27 Grain Offering: Dedication God having granted forgiveness of sins through the burnt offering, the worshipper responded by giving God some of he produce of his hands in cereal offering. It was an act of dedication and consecration to God as Savior and covenant King. Gordon Wenham

28 Reason: The Revelation of Offering The Lord desires His people to demonstrate their dedication (2:1, 4,14)

29 Grain Offering: Sovereignty of God The grain offering is a tribute in recognition of the sovereignty of God over the lives of those who offer it. Derek Tidball

30 Reason: The Revelation of Offering God s people demonstrate their dedication by paying tribute. The tribute can be a portion of their substance. The tribute can be a production of their work.

31 Reason: The Revelation of Offering The Lord accepts a variety of our gifts of dedication (2:4-7, 11-13, 15).

32 Grain Offering: Dedication Whereas the burnt offerings speaks of the dedication of ourselves, the grain offering speaks of the dedication of our work. Derek Tidball

33 Olive Oil: Consecration and Joy Symbolically, oil in the Old Testament was used to represent things set aside or consecrated to the Lord. It also signified joy. Allen Ross

34 Olive Oil: Holy Spirit and Joy Oil is associated with the work of the Holy Spirit, as well as with gladness. It reminds us that whatever we offer to the Lord as a gift is worship we owe to the Spirit s inner working in us, and not to talents we naturally possess. Derek Tidball

35 Reason: The Revelation of Offering If fine flour represents the person and possession of the worshiper, then oil signifies that they now were consecrated to the LORD. Allen Ross

36 Reason: The Revelation of Offering What He provides can be our gift of dedication (2:1-3). What we produce can be our gift of dedication (2:4-10). The firstfruits of our harvest can be our gift of dedication (2:14-16).

37 Reason: The Revelation of Offering The Lord requires that the offering be free of corruption (2:11-12).

38 Yeast: Corruption The most obvious and common explanation for yeast's unacceptability here is that yeast causes corruption, and it is excluded for the very reasons that salt is included. Derek Tidball

39 Honey: Fermentation and Corruption Honey may have been forbidden because it is the sweetness of the earth and turns quickly to fermentation, causing corruption. Allen Ross

40 Reason: The Revelation of Offering The Lord requires that the offering be faithful to the covenant (2:13).

41 Salt: Friendship, Bonding Unity Salt was not only the chief means of preserving food in the ancient world but also a key component in the offering of hospitality and sealing covenants, and therefore seems to have indicated friendship, bonding and unity. Derek Tidball

42 Salt: salt of the covenant" The text stresses that salt must be used in this and all offerings by stating it three times over 2:13, to it as"the salt of the covenant. The emphasis most likely is on the nature of salt as a preservative. Allen Ross

43 Memorial Portion: A Reminder The memorial portion thus reminded or prompted worshipers to live according to the covenant obligations, that is, to live as if all they have truly came from the Lord; and it prompted or motivated the Lord to honor and bless those who offered this dedication. Allen Ross

44 Reason: The Revelation of Offering The Lord is pleased with the dedication offering (2:2-3, 9-10, 16).

45 Leviticus: Windows into the Heart of God The Lord accepts with pleasure whoever comes into His presence offering themselves and the best they have as a token of gratitude for what the Lord Himself provided.

46 Reality: Dedication of Our Gifts But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. This is why it says: When he ascended on high, he took many captives and gave gifts to his people. (Ephesians 4:7-8)

47 Reality: Dedication of Our Life Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God s will is his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:1-2)

48 Reality: Dedication of Our Resources I have received full payment and have more than enough. I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. (Philippians 4:18)

49 Reality: The Big Picture Is helpful to note that we are in Christ by virtue of the atonement, so that Christ's dedication of himself to the Father includes his body, the church. Our feeble acts of dedication only recognize or acknowledge that we belong to God. Allen Ross

50 Sixpence None The Richer Every faculty you have, your power of thinking or of moving your limbs from moment to moment, is given you by God. If you devoted every moment of your whole life exclusively to His service you could not give Him anything that was not in a sense His own already. So that when we talk of a man doing anything for God or giving anything to God, I will tell you what that is really like. C.S. Lewis

51 Sixpence None The Richer It is like a small child going to it s father and saying, Daddy, give me sixpence to buy you a birthday present. Of course, the father does, and he is pleased with the child s present. It is all very nice and proper, but only an idiot would think that the father is sixpence to the good on the transaction. C.S. Lewis

52 LEVITICUS Windows into the Heart of God