Leviticus 2:9
The priest is to remove the memorial portion from the grain offering and burn it on the altar as an offering made by fire, a pleasing aroma to the LORD.
The priest is to remove the memorial portion from the grain offering

The priest took a representative portion of the worshiper’s gift—fine flour mixed with oil and all the frankincense—and presented it to the LORD. The remainder belonged to the priests as their holy provision. The grain offering acknowledged that Israel’s harvest, daily bread, labor, and prosperity came from God’s hand.

Lev 6:15 The priest is to remove a handful of fine flour…
Num 5:26 Then the priest is to take a handful of the grain offering…
Lev 24:7 And you are to place pure frankincense near each row,…

and burn it on the altar

The memorial portion was placed upon the altar fire with the sacrifices already offered there. Its ascent in smoke marked the worshiper’s gift as wholly devoted to God, while the altar connected the offering with atonement and access to His presence. Israel could not approach the holy God casually; worship was ordered according to His revealed provision.

Lev 4:19 And he is to remove all the fat from it and burn it…
Lev 4:35 And he shall remove all the fat, just as the fat of the lamb…
Lev 1:17 He shall tear it open by its wings, without dividing……

as a food offering,

God did not need physical nourishment, but He received the offering as the covenant Lord who welcomed His people into fellowship. The grain offering joined gratitude with devotion, teaching Israel to return to God a portion of what He had supplied. The provision of bread also points forward to Christ, the Bread of Life, through whom God gives lasting life to His people.

Lev 3:11 Then the priest is to burn them on the altar as food…
Lev 3:3 From the peace offering he is to bring a food offering…
Num 28:2 Command the Israelites and say to them: See that…

a pleasing aroma to the LORD.

The LORD accepted offerings brought in obedient faith and according to His command. The pleasing aroma testified to restored fellowship rather than to mere ritual performance. Christ fulfilled what the sacrifices anticipated by offering Himself to the Father as a fragrant sacrifice, securing peace with God for all who trust in Him.

Gen 8:21 When the LORD smelled the pleasing aroma,…
Lev 3:5 Then Aaron’s sons are to burn it on the altar…
Exo 29:18 Then burn the entire ram on the altar; it is a burnt offering…

Persons / Places / Events
1. Priest
The priest is the mediator between God and the people, responsible for performing the sacrificial rituals as prescribed in the Law.

2. Grain Offering
A type of offering made to God, consisting of fine flour, oil, and frankincense, symbolizing dedication and thanksgiving.

3. Altar
The place where sacrifices and offerings are made to God, representing His presence and the means of atonement.

4. Memorial Portion
A part of the grain offering that is burned on the altar, signifying remembrance and dedication to God.

5. Pleasing Aroma
A metaphorical expression indicating that the offering is acceptable and pleasing to God.
Teaching Points
The Role of the Priest
The priest's role as a mediator foreshadows Christ's ultimate priesthood, reminding us of the importance of intercession and mediation in our spiritual lives.

Symbolism of the Grain Offering
The grain offering represents dedication and thanksgiving. In our lives, we are called to offer our time, talents, and resources to God as an act of worship.

The Altar as a Place of Sacrifice
The altar signifies a place of surrender and commitment. We are encouraged to lay down our lives and desires at the altar, trusting in God's provision and plan.

Memorial Portion and Remembrance
The memorial portion serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness and our covenant relationship with Him. Regularly reflecting on God's past faithfulness strengthens our faith.

Pleasing Aroma and Acceptable Worship
Our worship and offerings should be genuine and heartfelt, aiming to please God rather than seeking human approval. True worship is characterized by sincerity and obedience.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the role of the priest in Leviticus 2:9 point to the work of Jesus Christ as our High Priest?

2. In what ways can we offer "grain offerings" in our daily lives, symbolizing dedication and thanksgiving to God?

3. What does the concept of a "pleasing aroma" teach us about the nature of acceptable worship and offerings to God?

4. How can the practice of remembering God's faithfulness, as symbolized by the memorial portion, impact our spiritual journey?

5. How do the principles of sacrifice and offering in Leviticus 2:9 relate to the New Testament teachings on living a life of worship and service?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Exodus 29:18
This verse also speaks of offerings being a pleasing aroma to the Lord, emphasizing the importance of obedience and the heart behind the offering.

Hebrews 13:15-16
These verses connect the concept of offerings to the New Testament, where believers are encouraged to offer sacrifices of praise and good deeds.

Romans 12:1
Paul urges believers to present their bodies as living sacrifices, drawing a parallel to the Old Testament offerings as acts of worship.
The Feast Upon the MinchahJ.A. Macdonald Leviticus 2:1-10
Consecrated Life-Work, as Brought Out in the Meat OfferingR.M. Edgar Leviticus 2:1-11
All Sin Must be Excluded from Our Offerings to GodJ. Spencer.Leviticus 2:1-16
Attractive FragranceFrom Witherby's Scripture Gleanings.Leviticus 2:1-16
Christ the True Meat-OfferingF. H. White.Leviticus 2:1-16
Every Christian's Life Ought to be FragrantLeviticus 2:1-16
Fine Enough to be FragrantSarah Smiley.Leviticus 2:1-16
Firstfruits of Our Young Years to be ConsecratedJ. Spencer.Leviticus 2:1-16
Frankincense as a SymbolA. Maclaren, D. D.Leviticus 2:1-16
Homage Graced with ExcellenciesW. H. Jellie.Leviticus 2:1-16
Labour Consecrated to GodJ. Tinling.Leviticus 2:1-16
Offering God the True End of ManJ. Spencer.Leviticus 2:1-16
Offering the Best to GodLeviticus 2:1-16
Offerings to God Must be Simple and SincereLeviticus 2:1-16
Oil as a Symbol: Service Permeated by the Holy SpiritD. L. Moody.Leviticus 2:1-16
Our Recognition of the Hand of God in the Blessings of LifeW. Clarkson Leviticus 2:1-16
Self-ConsecrationH. W. Beecher.Leviticus 2:1-16
Self-DedicatedJ. Breed, D. D.Leviticus 2:1-16
The Aroma of the Christian LifeLeviticus 2:1-16
The Burnt-Offering and the Meat-Offering ContrastedB. W. Newton.Leviticus 2:1-16
The Holy Ghost NeededJ. Davidson.Leviticus 2:1-16
The Meal OfferingJ. H. Kurtz, D. D.Leviticus 2:1-16
The Meat-OfferingJ. A. Seiss, D. D.Leviticus 2:1-16
The Meat-OfferingLeviticus 2:1-16
The Meat-OfferingJ. M. Gibson, D. D.Leviticus 2:1-16
The Meat-OfferingC. S. Taylor, M. A.Leviticus 2:1-16
The Meat-OfferingA. Jukes.Leviticus 2:1-16
The Meat-OfferingA. A. Bonar.Leviticus 2:1-16
The Meat-OfferingDean Law.Leviticus 2:1-16
The Meat-OfferingC. H. Mackintosh.Leviticus 2:1-16
The Meat-Offering Typical of Christ and His PeopleJohn Gill, D. D.Leviticus 2:1-16
The Meat-Offering; or the Father HonouredLeviticus 2:1-16
The Offering of Consecrated LabourS. H. Kellogg, D. D.Leviticus 2:1-16
The Time of Offering the FirstfruitsLeviticus 2:1-16
We Should Offer to God What We Like Best OurselvesLeviticus 2:1-16
Why Such Varieties of Offering?J. Caroming, D. D.Leviticus 2:1-16
Youth the Time for Religious OfferingProfessor Drummond.Leviticus 2:1-16
Priest and People: Reciprocal ServicesW. Clarkson Leviticus 2:3-10
The Various Kinds of Meat OfferingsR.A. Redford Leviticus 2:4-16
The Offering of Daily LifeS.R. Aldridge Leviticus 2:7-13
People
Aaron, Moses
Places
Teman
Topics
Altar, Aroma, Burn, Burning, Cereal, Fire, Fire-offering, Fragrance, Grain, Lifted, Meal, Meal-offering, Meat, Meat-offering, Memorial, Memorial-part, Oblation, Odor, Odour, Offer, Offering, Perfume, Pleasant, Pleasing, Portion, Present, Priest, Savor, Savour, Sign, Smell, Smoke, Soothing, Sweet, Thereof
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Leviticus 2:9

     7368   grain offering

Leviticus 2:1-11

     4404   food

Leviticus 2:1-16

     4456   grain

Leviticus 2:4-10

     5222   baking

Leviticus 2:8-16

     7422   ritual

Library
The Collection for St Paul: the Farewell
PHILIPPIANS iv. 10-23 The Philippian alms--His sense of their faithful love--He has received in full--A passage in the Scriptural manner--The letter closes--"Christ is preached"--"Together with them" The work of dictation is nearly done in the Roman lodging. The manuscript will soon be complete, and then soon rolled up and sealed, ready for Epaphroditus; he will place it with reverence and care in his baggage, and see it safe to Philippi. But one topic has to be handled yet before the end. "Now
Handley C. G. Moule—Philippian Studies

In Death and after Death
A sadder picture could scarcely be drawn than that of the dying Rabbi Jochanan ben Saccai, that "light of Israel" immediately before and after the destruction of the Temple, and for two years the president of the Sanhedrim. We read in the Talmud (Ber. 28 b) that, when his disciples came to see him on his death-bed, he burst into tears. To their astonished inquiry why he, "the light of Israel, the right pillar of the Temple, and its mighty hammer," betrayed such signs of fear, he replied: "If I were
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life

Leviticus
The emphasis which modern criticism has very properly laid on the prophetic books and the prophetic element generally in the Old Testament, has had the effect of somewhat diverting popular attention from the priestly contributions to the literature and religion of Israel. From this neglect Leviticus has suffered most. Yet for many reasons it is worthy of close attention; it is the deliberate expression of the priestly mind of Israel at its best, and it thus forms a welcome foil to the unattractive
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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