How does Ezekiel 46:7 connect to New Testament teachings on offerings? Ezekiel 46:7 — the verse itself “He may offer as the grain offering, an ephah with the bull, or an ephah with the ram, or a grain offering as much as he is able to give, along with a hin of oil for each ephah.” What leaps off the page • Fixed portions for the animals, yet freedom for the grain: “as much as he is able to give.” • Oil accompanies every ephah—worship is never meant to be dry ritual. New Testament echoes of willing, proportionate giving • 2 Corinthians 8:12 — “For if the eagerness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have.” • 2 Corinthians 9:7 — “Each one should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” • Acts 11:29 — “The disciples, each according to his ability, decided to send relief to the brothers living in Judea.” • 1 Corinthians 16:2 — “On the first day of every week, each of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income.” Christ’s once-for-all sacrifice, yet offerings remain • Hebrews 10:10 — “We have been sanctified through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” • Romans 12:1 — “Present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual service of worship.” • 1 Peter 2:5 — “You also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” • Hebrews 13:15-16 — “Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer God a sacrifice of praise… And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” Grain and oil—pictures fulfilled in Christ • Grain offering = thanksgiving for daily provision; Jesus is “the bread of life” (John 6:35). • Oil often symbolizes the Holy Spirit (1 Samuel 16:13; Acts 10:38); every act of giving is to be Spirit-empowered. Timeless principles carried forward • God delights in offerings flowing from a willing heart, not mere obligation. • Proportionate giving honors both God’s provision and the giver’s circumstance. • True worship now centers on Christ’s finished work; our gifts express gratitude, not atonement. • Spiritual sacrifices—praise, service, generosity—rise to God just as tangibly as ancient grain and oil. Living it out today • Give regularly and cheerfully, letting ability, not pressure, set the amount. • Invite the Spirit to saturate every act of generosity, turning routine giving into fragrant worship. • View your entire life—time, talent, resources—as “grain offerings” laid joyfully before the Lord because Christ first offered Himself for you. |
    |