Chapter 11
THE GRAIN AND DRINK OFFERINGS
Before we begin our study of the above offerings let us pray,
Dear Heavenly Father,
We come to You in the Name of Your only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. Father we ask You to please reveal to us the teaching that comes from the grain and drink offerings. Father please cause us to not only have a better understanding of these offerings but also cause us to come to a better knowledge and understanding of You, Your Son Jesus Christ and Your Word.
Amen
Since this study covers two offerings, it is structured in the following manner:
1. The Grain Offering - In this portion of our study we will review the regulations and purpose for the Old Testament grain offering. In addition, we will also discover that the form of the grain used in this offering is also intended to be a foreshadowing to teach us about the Messiah, that is our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
2. The Drink Offering - In this section we will review the Old Testament drink offering. In addition, we will see that this offering was also intended to be a foreshadowing of the Blood that was to be shed by Jesus Christ for the salvation of our souls.
3. The Message of the Grain and Drink Offerings - In this last portion of our study we will discover how the grain and drink offerings taken as a whole provide us with a foreshadowing to help us better understand and appreciate the message of our Lord's Last Supper.
THE GRAIN OFFERING
Before we review the Old Testament regulations and purpose for the grain offering it will be very beneficial for us to first go over the following background material.
BACKGROUND
According to "Gesenius' Hebrew - Chaldee Lexicon to the Old Testament"1 the Hebrew word used to describe this offering literally means "food."
It is also interesting to note that according to "Thayer's Greek - English Lexicon of the New Testament"2 the Greek word for bread literally means: (1) Food composed of flour mixed with water and baked. Or (2) any other type of food.
Since the word food is pretty generic we find that various Bible translations utilize different words to identify this offering. For example, "The American Standard Version" identifies this offering as the Meal Offering. However, "The King James Version" of the Bible identifies this offering as the Meat Offering. According to Ray Lee DeWitt in his book titled, "Teaching from the Tabernacle"3 the reason the King James uses the word "meat" is because at the time when it was first published the word "meat" was used much like today we use the word "meal."
However, as we will see during our review of the regulations for this offering, in our day, a better translation for it would be the grain offering. This is the term used by the New International Version (NIV) and the New King James Version (NKJV) of the Bible.
With this background let us now review,
AN OVERVIEW OF THE REGULATIONS FOR THE OLD TESTAMENT GRAIN OFFERING
There are at least two aspects of this offering that are worthy of our consideration: (1) the occasion for when the offering was to be made and (2) the specific regulations for the offering.
THE TIMES WHEN THE GRAIN OFFERING WAS TO BE MADE
As one reads the Old Testament one finds that the grain offering was to accompany the offerings offered to God by fire. This category of offerings included the whole burnt offering, freewill offerings, etc. To see this let us read from,
Numbers 15:1-4
"[1] The LORD said to Moses, [2] "Speak to the Israelites and say to them: 'After you enter the land I am giving you as a home [3] and you present to the LORD offerings made by fire, from the herd or the flock, as an aroma pleasing to the LORD--whether burnt offerings or sacrifices, for special vows or freewill offerings or festival offerings-- [4] then the one who brings his offering shall present to the LORD a grain offering of a tenth of an ephah of fine flour mixed with a quarter of a hin of oil."
Let us notice the following verses,
3-4a … All offerings given to God by fire were to be accompanied by the grain offering. Since a whole burnt offering, which was symbolic of total dedication to God (see chapter 12), was to be given during all the festivals or feasts, the grain offering was also presented at that time. The one exception to this was the Feast of Passover. The Feast of Passover was observed to serve as a reminder of Israel's deliverance from their bondage to Egypt. The Passover lamb was slaughtered to bring to remembrance that its blood was used as a covering to protect the people of Israel from the destroying angel (see Exodus 12:1-14 and chapter 2). It was not used as an offering to God. However, during the Passover season the offerings to God followed the Passover supper and were given as part of the Feast of Unleavened Bread (see Numbers 28:16-21).
4b … It is noted that the dry measure of one tenth of an Ephah is equivalent to one Omer. One omer is approximately one quart. In addition, the liquid measure of one fourth of a Hin is approximately one liquid quart.
Another observation is that the Bible does not tell us that the grain offering was to accompany the sin or trespass offerings. This raises the interesting question as to: "Why?"
To address this question we must recall that the Hebrew word used to identify this offering literally means "food." Hence, by nature this offering represented the food that God provided for maintaining a healthy and vibrant life. Thus, the grain offering was an offering to thank God for His provision for life. In our previous studies we found that the mandatory sin and trespass offerings were a vivid reminder that the consequence of sin was death. Hence, the grain offering was not to accompany them. Instead, the grain offering was to accompany offerings that symbolically represented a healthy and vibrant relationship with God. These offerings were the voluntary whole burnt offering, the freewill offerings, such as the thank offering and peace offering, and the offerings for special vows.
With the above overview in mind let us now review,
THE DETAILED REGULATIONS FOR THE GRAIN OFFERING
A description of them can be found in,
Leviticus 2:1-13
""'[1] When someone brings a grain offering to the LORD, his offering is to be of fine flour. He is to pour oil on it, put incense on it [2] and take it to Aaron's sons the priests. The priest shall take a handful of the fine flour and oil, together with all the incense, and burn this as a memorial portion on the altar, an offering made by fire, an aroma pleasing to the LORD. [3] The rest of the grain offering belongs to Aaron and his sons; it is a most holy part of the offerings made to the LORD by fire. [4] "'If you bring a grain offering baked in an oven, it is to consist of fine flour: cakes made without yeast and mixed with oil, or wafers made without yeast and spread with oil. [5] If your grain offering is prepared on a griddle, it is to be made of fine flour mixed with oil, and without yeast. [6] Crumble it and pour oil on it; it is a grain offering. [7] If your grain offering is cooked in a pan, it is to be made of fine flour and oil. [8] Bring the grain offering made of these things to the LORD; present it to the priest, who shall take it to the altar. [9] He shall take out the memorial portion from the grain offering and burn it on the altar as an offering made by fire, an aroma pleasing to the LORD. [10] The rest of the grain offering belongs to Aaron and his sons; it is a most holy part of the offerings made to the LORD by fire. [11] "'Every grain offering you bring to the LORD must be made without yeast, for you are not to burn any yeast or honey in an offering made to the LORD by fire. [12] 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. [13] 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."
Let us notice the following verses,
1 … The grain offering was to be composed of fine flour and offered with oil and incense.
2 … The person who was providing the grain offering was to give it to one of the priests to offer it to the Lord on his behalf.
3 … The portion of the grain offering that was not burnt on the altar was given to the priests to eat. This command was repeated in verse 10.
4 - 7 … The grain offering could be presented in various ways. However, it was always to be prepared with oil.
11 … Neither leaven, that is yeast, or honey was to be used for this offering.
13 … The grain offering along with all the other offerings were to be seasoned with salt. This signified the everlasting covenant between them and God. To see this, let us read from,
Numbers 18:19
"[19] Whatever is set aside from the holy offerings the Israelites present to the LORD I give to you and your sons and daughters as your regular share. It is an everlasting covenant of salt before the LORD for both you and your offspring.""
PURPOSE
The purpose of this offering was threefold. First of all, as we discovered in our study of the Feast of First Fruits (chapter 4), the offering of grain to God was an act of thanksgiving. In other words, the person who gave the offering was thanking God for providing them with food to sustain their life. Secondly, as we read in verse 3 and 10, the grain offering was also one of the ways God provided food for the priests. The third and the main reason for this study, is that this offering was also a foreshadowing. It was a foreshadowing for the people of the Old Testament times and now for us to teach us about the offering that the Messiah, who we now know to be Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, gave to God the Father on our behalf. With this in mind let us now begin our study of,
THE FORESHADOWINGS OF THE GRAIN OFFERING
For this portion of our study let us recall the following five key elements of the grain offering:
1. The grain offering was food. In particular it was either fine flour or fine flour baked into bread or cakes.
This is a foreshadowing of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is our Bread of Life. More specifically, the primary reason Jesus came to this earth was to save us from our sins and give us eternal life. To see this let us read an excerpt from what He said to those who followed Him after He fed, with only five barley loaves of bread and two small fish, five thousand men along with the women and children. The passage of interest is,
John 6:35-40
"[35] Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty. [36] But as I told you, you have seen me and still you do not believe. [37] All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away. [38] For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. [39] And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all that he has given me, but raise them up at the last day. [40] For my Father's will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day."
As we read the regulations for the preparation of the grain offering we also found out that,
2. It was to be prepared with oil.
In previous studies we found that in addition to being used in cooking and a type of medication, oil was also used as a symbol of the Holy Spirit. Thus, it was used to sanctify, anoint or consecrate an object or person. For example let us read the following excerpt for how the Old Testament priests were to be consecrated to God.
Exodus 29:7
"[7] Take the anointing oil and anoint him by pouring it on his head."
This facet of the grain offering, that is the oil, is a foreshadowing to teach us a least the following two things about our Messiah.
a. When Jesus went to John the Baptist to be baptized, He was also anointed by the Holy Spirit.
This is recorded in,
Matthew 3:16-17
"[16] As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. [17] And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.""
And,
b. It is through Jesus Christ that we, the born again believer, receive the Holy Spirit into our lives.
Jesus revealed this truth on the last day during one of the Feasts of Tabernacles. To read what He said we go to,
John 7:37-39
"[37] On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. [38] Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him." [39] By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified."
To see the fulfillment of Jesus' promise let us read what He did to the disciples who believed in Him after He rose from His death and burial. It is recorded for us in,
John 20:19-22
"[19] On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" [20] After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. [21] Again Jesus said, "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you." [22] And with that he breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit."
In addition to the oil we also found that,
3. Incense was to be placed upon the portion that was offered to God.
In some Bible translations, such as the New King James Version, the word frankincense is used in place of incense. Since frankincense was one of the three ingredients used to make the incense, it is sometimes used to denote that fragrance. The three components of the incense is recorded in,
Exodus 30:34-36
"[34] Then the LORD said to Moses, "Take fragrant spices--gum resin, onycha and galbanum--and pure frankincense, all in equal amounts, [35] and make a fragrant blend of incense, the work of a perfumer. It is to be salted and pure and sacred. [36] Grind some of it to powder and place it in front of the Testimony in the Tent of Meeting, where I will meet with you. It shall be most holy to you."
Let us also note that in verse 36 above we find that the incense was to be placed in front of the Testimony. The Testimony was another description of the Ark of the Covenant. It resided in the Most Holy place of the Temple. In the Old Testament days it was here where the presence of God resided. To see this let us begin by reading how the Ark of the Covenant was placed within the Temple. It is recorded for us in,
1 Kings 8:6-11
"[6] The priests then brought the ark of the Lord's covenant to its place in the inner sanctuary of the temple, the Most Holy Place, and put it beneath the wings of the cherubim. [7] The cherubim spread their wings over the place of the ark and overshadowed the ark and its carrying poles. [8] These poles were so long that their ends could be seen from the Holy Place in front of the inner sanctuary, but not from outside the Holy Place; and they are still there today. [9] There was nothing in the ark except the two stone tablets that Moses had placed in it at Horeb, where the LORD made a covenant with the Israelites after they came out of Egypt. [10] When the priests withdrew from the Holy Place, the cloud filled the temple of the LORD. [11] And the priests could not perform their service because of the cloud, for the glory of the LORD filled his temple."
Even though the Temple was filled with God's Glory, it was upon the Ark, between the Cherubim, that He dwelt. This is revealed to us at the beginning of one of King Hezekiah's prayers.
2 Kings 19:15
"[15] And Hezekiah prayed to the LORD: "O LORD, God of Israel, enthroned between the cherubim, you alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth."
The point of all this is for us to recognize that the incense, which was composed of Frankincense, was continually burned on the altar of incense in front of the Ark of the Covenant and the presence of God. The Bible teaches us that incense is a symbolic representation for the prayers of God's people. To see this symbolism let us read the following excerpt from the book of Revelation where we are provided a preview of the time when Jesus Christ receives the scroll that represents the title deed to the earth.
Revelation 5:8
"[8] And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints."
Hence, the incense of the grain offering is a foreshadowing of when Jesus Christ was to come and enter Heaven itself and continually offer prayers and intercessions to God the Father for you and me. To see this a bit more clearly we begin by reading from,
Hebrews 1:1-3
"[1] In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, [2] but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. [3] The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven."
In other words, after His sacrificial death and His resurrection, Jesus did not enter a man made Tabernacle or Sanctuary or Temple. No, Jesus entered, on our behalf, the true Tabernacle in Heaven. This truth is recorded in,
Hebrews 8:1-2
"[1] The point of what we are saying is this: We do have such a high priest, who sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, [2] and who serves in the sanctuary, the true tabernacle set up by the Lord, not by man."
As we further read the New Testament we find that while Jesus is in the Temple in Heaven and at the right hand of God the Father He is constantly interceding for all the born again believers in Him. This is revealed to us in,
Romans 8:34b
[34] … It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.
Another one of the requirements for the grain offering was that,
4. The grain offering was not to contain any leaven or honey. In other words it was to be pure.
This is a foreshadowing of the purity of the Messiah, who is our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Jesus' purity is described for us in the following description of His characteristics.
1 Peter 2:22
""[22] He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.""
Finally, in our review of the regulations for the grain offering we discovered that,
5. The grain offering was to be seasoned with salt.
To see the foreshadowing of the salt let us explore the following three attributes of salt.
a. Salt enhances or brings out the flavor of food. In other words, when seasoned correctly, salt brings to life or heightens the taste of food.
This is a foreshadowing of what Jesus Christ does for us. Specifically, He came to gives us a full and vibrant life in Him.
John 10:7-10
"[7] Therefore Jesus said again, "I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. [8] All who ever came before me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. [9] I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture. [10] The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."
b. Salt, when applied to an open wound or sore, stings.
This is a foreshadowing of the reaction many people would and still have when confronted with Jesus Christ. In fact, during the time of Jesus' sojourn here upon this earth the sting of Him and His teaching was so irritating and painful that they ultimately crucified Him on the cross.
Finally, we also know that,
c. Salt is a preservative, which if it is applied correctly, it will keep food from spoiling and going bad.
Let us recall that as part of the Old Testament offerings salt was used to signify the eternal covenant between God and His people. To refresh our memories let us read from,
2 Chronicles 13:5
"[5] Don't you know that the LORD, the God of Israel, has given the kingship of Israel to David and his descendants forever by a covenant of salt?"
This too is a foreshadowing. In fulfillment of this covenant, Jesus Christ promised that those who belong to Him He will preserve, that is keep, from falling away. Jesus further promised that no one can take out of His and the Father's hands those that are His true disciples. This is an everlasting promise to all those that are true disciples of Him. These promises are recorded in,
John 10:27-29
"[27] My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. [28] I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. [29] My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand."
Before we move on to the drink offering, let us summarize what we have just covered concerning the grain offering.
SUMMARY
1. The grain, bread or cakes that were offered for the grain offering were a foreshadowing to teach us that Jesus Christ, the Messiah, is the Bread of Life. It is through Him that we not only receive eternal life but also receive the spiritual nourishment that we so desperately need.
2. The oil was a foreshadowing to teach us that Jesus Christ was anointed and filled with the Holy Spirit. It was also intended to teach us that it is through faith in Jesus Christ that a person is born again and receives the Holy Spirit.
3. The incense was a foreshadowing to teach us that Jesus Christ now resides in Heaven at the right hand of God constantly praying and interceding for you and me.
4. The purity of the grain, bread or cakes teaches us that Jesus Christ was totally without sin. In other words He was and is the only begotten Son of God.
5. The foreshadowing of the salt teaches us that Jesus Christ promised to preserve us, that is He will not allow the born again believer to be snatched away from the Father's hand. The salt also reveals to us the sting that the Gospel of Jesus Christ might have upon those who are not yet His. However, the salt also reveals to us how Jesus Christ will and does bring out the spiritual best in us.
THE DRINK OFFERING
In our study of the Feast of First Fruits we found that the drink offering was one fourth of a Hin, which is approximately one quart, of wine. This is recorded in,
Leviticus 23:13b
[13b] … its drink offering shall be of wine, one-fourth of a Hin.
As we read the Old Testament we find that even though the drink offering is not described as part of the regulations of the grain offering, the drink offering was always to accompany the grain offering. To see this let us read the following Scriptures,
Numbers 15:1-5
"[1] The LORD said to Moses, [2] "Speak to the Israelites and say to them: 'After you enter the land I am giving you as a home [3] and you present to the LORD offerings made by fire, from the herd or the flock, as an aroma pleasing to the LORD--whether burnt offerings or sacrifices, for special vows or freewill offerings or festival offerings-- [4] then the one who brings his offering shall present to the LORD a grain offering of a tenth of an ephah of fine flour mixed with a quarter of a hin of oil. [5] With each lamb for the burnt offering or the sacrifice, prepare a quarter of a hin of wine as a drink offering."
In addition the drink offering was to be poured out at the Holy Place or Sanctuary. This is recorded in,
Numbers 28:7
"[7] ... Pour out the drink offering to the LORD at the sanctuary."
This pouring out or spilling of the wine was a foreshadowing that the blood of Jesus Christ was to be poured out from His body on our behalf. To see this let us recall what happened when the Roman soldier pierced Jesus’ side with a spear. To refresh our memory let us read from,
John 19:31-35
[31] Therefore, because it was the Preparation Day, that the bodies should not remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high day), the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. [32] Then the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and of the other who was crucified with Him. [33] But when they came to Jesus and saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs. [34] But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out. [35] And he who has seen has testified, and his testimony is true; and he knows that he is telling the truth, so that you may believe.
Let us notice the following verses,
33 … Let us recall that prior to this time Jesus gave up His Spirit (John 19:30). Thus, before Jesus’ blood was spilt He was already dead.
34 … To fulfill the Scriptures and all the foreshadowings God moved one of the soldiers to pierce His side with a spear and pour out Jesus’ blood on our behalf.
THE MESSAGE OF THE GRAIN AND DRINK OFFERING
When we view the grain offering and the drink offering as one offering we come to realize that this Old Testament ritual was also a foreshadowing of our Lord's Supper. However, instead of offering the grain and drink offering as a foreshadowing of what was to come; we, the born again Christian, partake of the Lord's Supper to bring to remembrance of what has already occurred. Specifically, the Bible teaches us that during the Lord's Supper, the bread (that is composed of grain or fine flour) represents the body of Jesus Christ. The cup, filled with the fruit of the grape, represents the Blood of Jesus Christ. Consequently, when we partake of the bread and wine we are instructed to do it in remembrance of our Lord Jesus Christ and the new covenant He purchased for you and me. To see this let us read what our Lord and Savior said to His disciples at the close of His last Passover supper.
Luke 22:19-20
"[19] And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me." [20] In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you."
THE MESSAGE
So what is the point? What is the message of this study? How can it be best summarized? Perhaps it is best given by reading the following Scriptures,
Romans 8:31-39
"[31] What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? [32] He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all--how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? [33] Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. [34] Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died--more than that, who was raised to life--is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. [35] Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? [36] As it is written: "For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered." [37] No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. [38] For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, [39] neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Shall We Pray