Leviticus 2:1 - Meaning and Application

There were some grain offerings that were only additions to burnt offerings, like those offered with the daily sacrifice (Exodus 29:38-39) and with the peace offerings. These were joined with drink offerings, and the amount was clearly set out (Numbers 15:4, 15:7, 15:9-10). But the law in this chapter deals with grain offerings brought on their own, whenever a person wanted to show devotion in this way. The first offering we read about in Scripture was of this kind, when Cain brought some of the fruit of the ground as an offering (Genesis 4:3).

This kind of offering was appointed, first, to make room for the poor and their limited means. People who lived on bread and cakes could still bring an acceptable gift to God from their plain food. In doing so, they would imitate the widow of Zarephath, who gave the prophet Elijah a little cake first and then saw God bless her jar of flour and jug of oil so they did not run out. Second, it was a fitting way to thank God for food. It was like a rent payment, showing that they depended on God, thanked him, and looked to him as the owner and generous giver of all life, breath, and food.

In this way they honored the Lord with their substance, and they set apart part of their food and drink for his direct service. Those who now, with thankful and generous hearts, give bread to the hungry, care for those who lack daily food, and send help to others when they themselves enjoy God’s gifts, are offering a pleasing grain offering to God. The prophet mourns famine as a terrible thing because it cuts off the grain offering and drink offering from the Lord’s house (Joel 1:9). He treats it as one of the great blessings of plenty when those offerings are restored (Joel 2:14).

The laws for the grain offerings were these. First, the ingredients had to be fine flour and oil, two main products of the land of Canaan (Deuteronomy 8:8). Oil was then in their food what butter is to us now. If the flour was uncooked, the oil had to be poured on it (Leviticus 2:1). If it was cooked, the oil had to be mixed with the flour (Leviticus 2:4 and following). Second, if it was plain flour, frankincense had to be put on it along with the oil, and the frankincense was to be burned with it (Leviticus 2:1-2). This helped perfume the altar, and it points forward to gospel ministers being a sweet aroma to God (2 Corinthians 2:15).

Third, if the offering was prepared, it could be made in several ways. The worshiper might bake it, fry it, or mix the flour and oil in a pan. The tabernacle had the needed tools for this. The law was very precise even about offerings that cost the least, showing that God pays attention to worship offered with a sincere heart, even by the poor. Fourth, the worshiper was to bring it to the priest, which is called bringing it to the Lord (Leviticus 2:8), because the priests were God’s receivers and were appointed to present gifts to him.

Fifth, part of the offering was to be burned on the altar as a memorial, a sign that they remembered God’s kindness in giving them all things richly to enjoy. It was an offering made by fire (Leviticus 2:2, 2:9). The fire that consumed it could remind them that they deserved to have all the fruits of the earth burned up, and that it was only the Lord’s mercy that they were not. It could also teach them that food is meant for the body, and the body for food, but God will destroy both (1 Corinthians 6:13), and that man does not live by bread alone.

This offering made by fire is also called a sweet aroma to the Lord, and so are our spiritual offerings when they are made through the fire of holy love. This is especially true of giving to those in need, which is described as a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God (Philippians 4:18). With such sacrifices God is well pleased (Hebrews 13:16).

Sixth, the rest of the grain offering was to be given to the priests (Leviticus 2:3, 2:10). It was most holy, so the offerer could not eat it, unlike the peace offerings, which were holy but not most holy. Only the priests and their families could eat it. In this way God made sure that those who served at the altar would live from the altar, and live comfortably.