I have always thought of these offerings as representing Jesus (and Jesus alone). But in realty (though I still maintain that Jesus is First to be considered here) these acts of worship also teach us how to better live our lives to the Glory of God.

Let me give you an example.

Having already viewed the burnt offering (where every bit of the sacrificial animal is burned on the altar) as typifying Christ in His TOTAL DEDICATION to His Father in Heaven … one might (easily and Scripturally) then view that same offering as a “picture” of the TOTAL DEDICATION we are to bring to our dear Lord! (Jesus must always have the PREEMINENCE … but we are to follow “in His steps!”)

Maybe this is why we often sing the song that asks: “Is your all on the altar of sacrifice laid?” Or even “I surrender all.”

But today (the unique view I’ve mentioned) I want to lay beside the burnt offering the meat offering, from Leviticus chapter 2. But actually it does not contain any “meat” at all. (Meat back then merely spoke of solid food, of any kind. Not liquids!)

The meat (hereafter “meal”) offering did not even involve blood sacrifice! Not a drop! Rare indeed with Almighty God! It consisted of “fine flour.” Wheat that has grown “from the earth, out of the ground.” Upon that fine flour was poured “oil” (a picture of the Holy Spirit) and “frankincense” (an emblem of sweet smelling fragrance, pleasant to the Nostrils of God) and these ingredients (or at least a part thereof) were burned on the altar. It is foremostly a Picture of Jesus in His Manhood, His Earthliness, in His physical Life! (IF OUR LORD HAD NOT LIVED RIGHT … HE COULD NOT HAVE DIED RIGHT!) He was perfect in His Humanity!

Now let’s apply that meal offering to you and me …

It is as if the Holy Spirit (quoting God the Father) had His Eye on the Law of Moses as He penned these first two Offerings.

The BURNT OFFERING … right relationship with God … just as the first Tablet of the Ten Commandments dealt with obeying God … looking vertically, upward!

The MEAL OFFERING … right relationship with man … just as the second Tablet of the Ten Commandments dealt with living godly toward our brethren … looking horizontally, outward!

Wow!

How intricate, how precise is the Word of God!

How beautiful!

And we have just begun our little journey into these five offerings!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

More tomorrow morning, the Lord willing.

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