What role do the priests play in Leviticus 2:10 regarding offerings? The Setting Within the Grain Offering • Leviticus 2 outlines Israel’s grain offerings—voluntary gifts of flour, oil, and frankincense presented after burnt offerings. • These offerings symbolize thanksgiving, dependence on God for daily bread, and fellowship with Him. Text of Leviticus 2:10 “But the rest of the grain offering belongs to Aaron and his sons; it is a most holy part of the offerings to the LORD made by fire.” Priests’ Specific Responsibilities • Receive “the rest” of the grain after a token handful has been burned on the altar (vv. 2, 9). • Handle it as “most holy,” treating every crumb with the same reverence shown the altar itself (cf. Leviticus 6:17–18). • Consume it in a holy place—within the court of the tabernacle (Leviticus 6:16). • Serve as mediators by partaking of what Israel offers, thus representing both God to the people and the people to God (Numbers 18:9–10). • Ensure no leaven or honey is mixed in, preserving the purity God requires (Leviticus 2:11). Why This Matters Theologically • Provision: God literally feeds His servants from His altar (cf. Deuteronomy 18:1). Their living comes from serving Him. • Holiness: Calling the food “most holy” underscores that fellowship with God demands purity and separation from the profane. • Mediation: Priests sharing the offering foreshadows Christ, our High Priest, who unites heaven and earth (Hebrews 3:1; 10:19–22). • Continuity: Paul appeals to this principle to support gospel ministers (1 Corinthians 9:13–14). Living It Out Today • God still provides for those who serve Him; supporting faithful ministry follows the same divine pattern. • Reverence for worship remains vital—holy things must never be treated casually. • Gratitude offerings remind believers that every meal and paycheck is a gift from the Lord. |
    |