Christ in all the scriptures
The law of the grain offering (the Minchah) Leviticus 6v14-23
The Minchah, or the gift offering, as it is sometimes called, was a simple "thank you" to the Lord for all His wonderful provisions. It was the one offering that everyone could bring, for its contents were staple household items. It was considered to be the poor man's offering, for, while not everyone could afford to bring a bullock, or a goat, or a sheep, everyone could bring the minchah, for it was daily in use in every household. This gracious provision of God brought the worship of God down to the very poorest people in the congregation. Every household could bring fine flour, and oil, and frankincense, and salt, prepared at home, in a variety of ways, as a token of appreciation to God, who provided the ingredients and also the domestic knowhow to feed a family. This offering was a humble acknowledgement of God's goodness to them, and became a homage of highest honour to the One who sustained them.
This is a reminder of the One who came in poverty to raise us to high status, "For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that ye through His poverty might become rich"-2nd Corinthians 8v9. God does not despise the poverty of the poor, but elevates them to highest service, and this is one example. God provides for, and protects, and pities the poor. Indeed, He reserves a special place for those who in life are in poverty for whatever reason. Most of His people on this earth are poor..."Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He hath promised to them that love Him"-James 2v5. God designed a system of worship that could be engaged by all, no matter their material status. Jesus, Himself, was poor in this world:
He was born, not in a palace, but in a stable where cattle were kept (Luke 2v7). He was raised in a poor family who could only afford the smallest of offerings (Luke 2v24). He worked as a humble carpenter, helping to sustain the family after the premature death of His earthly guardian (no mention of Joseph after Luke 2v48-51). He taught using a borrowed boat (Luke 5v3); He never owned a home (Matthew 8v20, John 7v53-8v1); He asked for a penny to illustrate His teaching (Luke 20v24); He entered Jerusalem on a borrowed colt of an ass (Matthew 21v2-3); He borrowed the upper room for the Lord's supper, which became the home of the disciples for more than 50 days (Luke 22v10-12 with Acts 1v13); He possessed only the garments He wore, which were parted among the soldiers (John 19v23-24-in modern language "they took the shirt from His back"); He was buried in a borrowed tomb (John 19v38-42). All His life He was a poor man, His was the poor man's offering! Through Him, eternal riches will be the inheritance of His followers, riches beyond any computation. Through Him God calls the poor of this world; if not poor materially, certainly the poor in spirit, to bring their humble offering to the God who stoops to have fellowship with them. We are all blessed to commune with the Majesty of heaven.
There is a unique description of this offering in chapter 6v17 "It is most holy, as is the sin offering, and the trespass offering". Literally this means "holy, holy"-superlatively holy! There is no provision in the Hebrew language for superlatives, and repetition of the word is used as an alternative. The ultimate superlative is "Holy, Holy, Holy" to address the Lord in Isaiah 6 and Revelation 4v8. This is noteworthy, since the minchah is the only bloodless offering and yet it is stated to be superlatively holy. God places great emphasis on this humble offering, for the poor of this world hold a very special place in His estimation, and in His heart. He is not so much concerned with the material value of an offering, but with the spiritual approach of a thankful heart.
There are a number of important principles we can derive from the regulations pertaining to the grain offering:
The principle of Christ being at the heart of our worship
What they offered in worship is what we can all offer, the things that speak of Christ. The fine flour-Christ in His perfect humanity; the oil-Christ in His fulness of the Holy Spirit; the frankincense-Christ in His sweet aroma of delight to the Father; the salt-Christ in His ability to restrain evil, and His commitment to the covenant of God. These are all things that bring pleasure to God and they are the things we can all bring. All we need to do is bring our handful, no matter what capacity that is.
The principle of reverent approach Throughout the narrative of Leviticus we can note the call to "bring" an offering-1v2, 1v10, 1v14, 2v2, 2v4, 2v8, 2v11, and many more. The word bring is, in Hebrew, qarab, to draw near, to approach reverently. We do not draw nigh with brashness, we are approaching the Most High. Drawing near to God in the New Testament is always with reverence in acknowledgement of who He is. Hebrews 10v19-22 invites us to draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, knowing that Christ has made us fit to enter the sacred courts. James 4v8 also invites us near, but reminds us to cleanse ourselves in hand and heart as we do.
The principle of godly order The offeror placed his offering with the priest, who presented it before the Lord for acceptance before placing it on the altar of burnt offering, an offering made by fire unto the Lord. In those days the priests were a separate group from the common people, and it was only the tribe of Levi who administered the place of worship to the Lord. There was a priestly caste system in operation back then and the people were expected to observe this. In our day all believers are priests, and are able to worship the Lord in spirit and in truth, both individually and collectively. There is, however a hierarchy, as indicated in 1st Corinthians 12v28, and all members are expected to observe protocol in 1st Corinthians 14v40, "Let all things be done decently and in order". Practices may vary, but public decorum is implied.
The principle of support The work and worship of God must be supported, materially, and the offerors were aware that the greater part of their offering went to support the priesthood, as emphasised in verse 16. Whatever we give to the Lord, He expects it to be shared by the public servants whether of giving to evangelists, teachers, elders, or widows, or to the fabric of the buildings where public worship is held. Scripture indicates all these support measures. The principle is stated in 1st Corinthians 9v13-14 "Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar? Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel". This is a clear reference to the priestly service in Leviticus. It is important that the work is sustained, for the edifying of the church and for the glory of God.
The principle of variety For the "minchah" offering, some brought the raw ingredients; some baked bread in the oven; some made wafers (pancakes) on the griddle; others boiled the mix in the cauldron (they say with oil); from the firstfruits of the harvest some brought green ears of corn roasted. It was the same offering but in a variety of sways. Likewise in the church age, we all have gifts differing, according as it has pleased God to give us all (Romans 12v6-8; 1st Corinthians 12v4-18). It is the variety of our several abilities that, when enacted in humble service, enriches and edifies all the members. Always, the offering was placed on the burnt offering upon the altar. Our gift offering ascends to God as it is given on the basis of the whole of life devotion of Jesus, whose death fits us for service.
The priests, who partook of the offerings of the congregation, were themselves to make an offering at the time of their anointing, and it is thought for every day thereafter during their tenure. The leaders of God's people should be model examples to the congregation. It was never to be the case of "Do as I say", rather "Do as I do". There was one exception, they were not to eat of their own offering; it was to be wholly burnt on the altar for the Lord (Lev. 6v19-23). This was their commitment in holy service. Leaders should not enrich themselves at the expense of God's people.
