When someone brings a grain offering to the LORD… (Leviticus 2:1a, NIV)
As I stated earlier, there was NO YEAST NOR HONEY. (Sorry for the all-caps; they give an UMPH! for when I need it!) As they were perfect, this symbolized that they can’t be contaminated with sin in ANY place in their lives. As with honey, this meant identification with pagan culture. Honey couldn't have been the sweet concoction resulting from pollination; rather, this could have been a drink used in nearby pagan rites.
It was to be SEASONED WITH SALT. As the salt of the covenant, we are the salt of the world, aren't we? Salt gives a taste, and we are to season the world with Christ.
It didn't matter HOW IT WAS COOKED. Grill it, bake it, fry it, crumble-it, there had to be cakes or wafers, memorial of God’s provision.
If someone’s offering is a fellowship offering…(Leviticus 3:1a, NIV)
For a recap, the offering was presented to the Lord, and hands were laid on it; the animal was slaughtered at the Tent of Meeting’s entrance, and its blood poured out against the altar on all sides. This time, the fat, kidneys and liver were taken off the animal and burnt as a memorial for the Lord on top of the burnt offering.
The food was to be EATEN IN TWO DAYS. As this was the only sacrifice that the worshipper could partake in (as in my Quest Bible article), it also prompted communal sharing of the food. At the third day, everything that was left was to be burnt to God; if anyone ate the rest, it was unclean.
And the Israelites COULDN’T EAT FAT NOR BLOOD. Earlier, we concluded that blood represented life; that life sooner would come to Christ. As for fat, worshippers had to give the best choice meat to the One who sustained them in the desert. Isn’t it right to pour out ALL that we have, regardless of the past or the future?