What is the meaning of Leviticus 2:15? And you are to put The instruction is addressed to the worshiper, not to the priest. God welcomes personal participation in the act of worship. Just as in Exodus 35:5 the people themselves bring the materials for the tabernacle, here the individual offers something he has prepared with his own hands. The Lord does not leave devotion to chance; He tells us exactly what obedience looks like (cf. John 14:15, “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments”). oil • Olive oil was valuable food and fuel, but in worship it symbolized consecration and life. When Samuel anointed David, “the Spirit of the LORD rushed upon David” (1 Samuel 16:13). • The lampstand in the tabernacle burned continually with pure oil (Exodus 27:20–21), reminding Israel of God’s unending presence. • In Zechariah 4:6 the prophet learns that true power flows “Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit.” The oil on the grain points forward to the Holy Spirit’s role in setting God’s people apart. and frankincense • Frankincense was a costly resin whose fragrant smoke rose heavenward. Exodus 30:34 places it in the sacred incense mixture, dedicating it exclusively to the Lord. • Its sweet aroma pictures prayer and worship “ascending before God” (Revelation 8:3–4). • When the Magi present frankincense to the Christ child (Matthew 2:11) they testify that He is worthy of divine honor. Adding frankincense to the grain proclaims that every ordinary gift becomes worship when offered in faith. on it The oil and frankincense are placed directly “on” the prepared grain—no compartmentalizing. In Leviticus 2:1–2 the priest then “shall take a handful… and burn it as a memorial portion.” The whole mixture is inseparable, teaching that daily provision (grain) and spiritual devotion (oil and incense) belong together. Colossians 3:17 echoes the principle: “Whatever you do… do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus.” it is a grain offering • Unlike blood sacrifices, the grain offering contains no animal life; it represents the fruit of peaceful labor. • Leviticus 2 shows it must be without leaven or honey (v. 11) yet salted (v. 13), pointing to purity and covenant faithfulness. • Ultimately the grain offering foreshadows Christ, the “bread of life” (John 6:35) who offered Himself wholly to God. Hebrews 13:15 urges believers to bring their own “sacrifice of praise,” lives seasoned by His grace. summary Leviticus 2:15 calls the worshiper to place oil and frankincense on the grain, turning an everyday staple into a fragrant act of devotion. The oil speaks of consecration through the Spirit, the frankincense of prayerful adoration, and the grain of thankful acknowledgment that God supplies our needs. Together they display wholehearted worship—ordinary work and precious faith blended and lifted to the Lord. |
    |