How does Leviticus 6:15 connect to the concept of holiness in Scripture? The Setting: What’s Happening in Leviticus 6:15 “ ‘And he shall take from it a handful of the fine flour of the grain offering, with its oil and all its frankincense, and the priest shall burn it as a memorial portion on the altar, a pleasing aroma to the LORD.’ ” (Leviticus 6:15) A priest scoops a handful of fine flour mixed with oil and frankincense. He places that “memorial portion” on the altar fire. The smoke rises as “a pleasing aroma” to God. Earlier verses call this offering “most holy” (Leviticus 6:14). Every action revolves around holiness—God’s set-apartness and the worshiper’s call to be set apart to Him. Holiness on Display in the Grain Offering • “Most holy”: Anything touching this offering became holy (Leviticus 6:18). • “Memorial portion”: A public reminder that God is both Provider and the ultimate Recipient of every gift. • “Pleasing aroma”: God delights in obedience that comes from a cleansed heart (cf. 1 Samuel 15:22). Why This Matters for the Whole Bible’s Theme of Holiness 1. God’s character is holy. - “You are to be holy to Me, for I the LORD am holy” (Leviticus 20:26). 2. His dwelling place must remain holy. - The altar stood at the heart of the tabernacle, the meeting point of sinful people with a sinless God (Exodus 29:37). 3. Sacrifice is God’s pathway to make an unholy people holy. - The grain offering followed the burnt offering, picturing daily fellowship after atonement (Leviticus 1–2). 4. Christ fulfills and surpasses the picture. - “Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as an offering and a sacrifice to God, a fragrant aroma” (Ephesians 5:2). Scripture Echoes of the Same Holiness Pattern • Numbers 18:9 – grain offerings are “most holy” and must be eaten in a holy place. • Psalm 141:2 – prayer likened to incense, echoing the fragrant memorial portion. • Hebrews 10:14 – by one offering Christ perfected for all time those being made holy. • 1 Peter 1:15-16 – “as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do.” Living Out the Message Today • Offer God the “first handful” of each day—time, talents, resources—acknowledging His ownership. • Guard the “altar” of your heart; what touches it becomes a testimony of holiness or compromise. • Let obedience rise as a pleasing aroma through thankful worship and sacrificial service (Romans 12:1; Hebrews 13:15-16). Leviticus 6:15 may seem like a small ritual detail, yet it paints a vibrant picture: the Holy God graciously inviting His people into holiness through a substitute offering that prefigures Christ, calling us still to live as His set-apart, fragrant people. |
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