In the Bible, a meal offering, also known as a grain offering, is a form of tribute to God that typically consists of fine flour, olive oil, and frankincense, symbolizing dedication and gratitude. It is described in Leviticus chapters 2 and 6, where it emphasizes the worshiper’s intention to honor God through the acknowledgment of His provision.
Scripture
1 “When anyone brings a grain offering as an offering to the Lord, his offering shall be of fine flour. He shall pour oil on it and put frankincense on it
2 And he shall bring it to Aaron’s sons the priests, and shall take from it a handful of the fine flour and oil, with all of its frankincense, and the priest shall burn this as its memorial portion on the altar, a food offering with a pleasing aroma to the Lord.
3 And the rest of the grain offering shall be for Aaron and his sons; it is a most holy part of the Lord’s food offerings.
4 “When you bring a grain offering baked in the oven as an offering, it shall be unleavened loaves of fine flour mixed with oil or unleavened wafers smeared with oil.
5 And if your offering is a grain offering baked on a griddle, it shall be of fine flour unleavened, mixed with oil.
6 You shall break it in pieces and pour oil on it; it is a grain offering.
7 And if your offering is a grain offering baked in the oven, it shall be unleavened cakes of fine flour mixed with oil, or unleavened wafers smeared with oil.
8 And you shall bring the grain offering that is made of these things to the Lord, and when it is presented to the priest, he shall bring it to the altar.
9 And the priest shall take from the grain offering its memorial portion and burn this on the altar, a food offering with a pleasing aroma to the Lord.
10 But the rest of the grain offering shall be for Aaron and his sons; it is a most holy part of the Lord’s food offerings.
11 You shall not leaven anything that is offered in sacrifice to the Lord.
12 As an offering of firstfruits you may bring them to the Lord, but they shall not be offered on the altar for a pleasing aroma.
13 You shall season all your grain offerings with salt. You shall not let the salt of the covenant with your God be missing from your grain offering; with all your offerings you shall offer salt.
14 And if you offer a grain offering of firstfruits to the Lord, you shall offer for the grain offering of your firstfruits fresh ears, roasted with fire, crushed new grain.
15 You shall put oil on it and lay frankincense on it; it is a grain offering.
16 And the priest shall burn as its memorial portion some of the crushed grain and some of the oil with all of its frankincense; it is a food offering to the Lord.
Biblical Significance of Meal Offering
The meal offering, or grain offering, as outlined in Leviticus chapters 2 and 6, holds deep significance in the biblical understanding of worship and relationship with God. This offering, made from fine flour mixed with oil and frankincense, serves not only as a physical gift but also as a symbol of one’s devotion and recognition of God’s daily sustenance. In Leviticus 2:1-2, it is stated, “When anyone brings a grain offering to the LORD, his offering is to be of fine flour; he is to pour oil on it and put incense on it.” The incorporation of oil suggests the necessity of a rich, thankful heart, while the frankincense symbolizes the sweet aroma of dedication ascending to God. This offering could be made as a voluntary act of gratitude or in conjunction with other sacrificial offerings, unifying worshipers in their acknowledgment of God’s providence.
Broadly, the meal offering conveys the principle that worship is not merely about ritual performance but instead encompasses the entire life of the individual. It reflects a heart attuned to God’s grace and generous provision, reinforcing the concept found in Isaiah 29:13: “These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.” The meal offering challenges worshipers to ensure their outward actions align with their inner devotion. Additionally, in the New Testament, the principle of offering oneself fully to God is echoed in Romans 12:1, where Paul encourages believers to present their bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—a spiritual act of worship. Thus, the meal offering transcends mere ritual, inviting a holistic approach to spirituality that combines gratitude, dedication, and personal transformation.
The concept of the meal offering resonates throughout the Old Testament, emphasizing its role in the community’s covenant relationship with God. For instance, in the context of the peace offering, which often accompanied the meal offering, there was a recognition of fellowship and communion with God and fellow Israelites. This communal aspect illustrates that worship extends beyond individual intentions and encompasses collective acknowledgment of God’s blessings. The meal offering served as a means to participate in this sacred bond, highlighting the importance of shared meals as expressions of gratitude and celebration of God’s provision.
Moreover, the meal offering also underscores the principle of offering the best to God, which is evident in the stipulations regarding the quality of ingredients used. The requirement for fine flour indicates not only the physical richness of the offering but also signifies the spiritual quality of the giver’s heart. This notion can be further explored in the broader biblical context, where offerings, including the meal offering, reflect themes of repentance, restoration, and sincerity in worship. The grain’s transformation into flour—a process requiring effort and intent—mirrors a believer’s journey of spiritual refinement and personal commitment to holiness. As these offerings are presented, they serve as reminders of an individual’s and community’s reliance on God’s grace, reinforcing themes of sacrifice, devotion, and the continuous need for reconciliation and spiritual nourishment within the ongoing relationship between God and His people.
Symbol of Devotion and Gratitude
The meal offering, also known as the grain offering, represents an individual’s devotion and gratitude to God. It signifies the acknowledgment of God’s provision and blessings in one’s life. By presenting a meal offering, the worshiper expresses their thankfulness for the sustenance and resources provided by God, recognizing that all good things come from Him. This act of giving is not merely a ritual but a heartfelt response to God’s generosity, emphasizing the importance of gratitude in one’s relationship with the Divine.
Representation of Spiritual Nourishment
The meal offering also serves as a metaphor for spiritual nourishment. Just as physical food sustains the body, the meal offering symbolizes the spiritual sustenance that comes from a relationship with God. It reflects the idea that believers are called to feed their souls through prayer, worship, and the study of Scripture. This offering encourages individuals to seek spiritual growth and maturity, highlighting the necessity of nurturing one’s faith as a vital aspect of their spiritual journey.
Community and Fellowship
Another broader meaning of the meal offering is its role in fostering community and fellowship among believers. In ancient Israel, the meal offering was often shared among the priests and the worshipers, creating a sense of unity and communal worship. This aspect underscores the importance of coming together in faith, sharing in the blessings of God, and supporting one another in the journey of faith. The meal offering thus becomes a symbol of the collective relationship between God and His people, as well as among the community of believers themselves.
How to Cultivate a Grateful and Devoted Christian Life
Cultivating a grateful and devoted Christian life begins with a heart that recognizes the countless blessings God has bestowed upon us, even in the midst of challenges. Start each day with a moment of reflection, perhaps through prayer or journaling, where you can list the things you are thankful for—big or small. This practice not only shifts your focus from what you lack to what you have, but it also deepens your relationship with God as you acknowledge His presence in your life. Additionally, immerse yourself in Scripture, allowing the Word to guide your thoughts and actions; passages like 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 remind us to rejoice always, pray continually, and give thanks in all circumstances. Surround yourself with a community of fellow believers who encourage and uplift you, as fellowship can strengthen your faith and commitment. Finally, serve others with a joyful heart, for in giving, we often find the greatest fulfillment and a deeper connection to Christ’s love. Remember, a grateful heart is a devoted heart, and through these practices, you can nurture a life that reflects the love and grace of Jesus.
Bible References to Meal Offerings:
Leviticus 6:14-23: 14 “And this is the law of the grain offering. The sons of Aaron shall offer it before the Lord in front of the altar.”
15 And one shall take from it a handful of the fine flour of the grain offering and its oil and all the frankincense that is on the grain offering and burn this as its memorial portion on the altar, a pleasing aroma to the Lord.
16 And the rest of it Aaron and his sons shall eat. It shall be eaten unleavened in a holy place. In the court of the tent of meeting they shall eat it.
17 It shall not be baked with leaven. I have given it as their portion of my food offerings. It is a thing most holy, like the sin offering and the guilt offering.
18 Every male among the children of Aaron may eat of it, as decreed forever throughout your generations, from the Lord’s food offerings. Whatever touches them shall become holy.
19 The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “This is the offering of Aaron and his sons, which they shall offer to the Lord on the day when he is anointed: a tenth of an ephah of fine flour as a regular grain offering, half of it in the morning and half in the evening.
20 “This is the offering that Aaron and his sons shall offer to the Lord on the day when he is anointed: a tenth of an ephah of fine flour as a regular grain offering, half of it in the morning and half in the evening.”
21 It shall be made with oil on a griddle.
22 And the priest from among Aaron’s sons, who is anointed to succeed him, shall offer it to the Lord as decreed forever. It shall be wholly burned.
23 For every grain offering of the priest shall be wholly burned. It shall not be eaten.”
Numbers 15:1-16: 15 The Lord spoke to Moses, saying,
2 “Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, When you come into the land you are to inhabit, which I am giving you,
3 and you offer to the Lord from the herd or from the flock a food offering or a burnt offering or a sacrifice, to fulfill a vow or as a freewill offering or at your appointed feasts, to make a pleasing aroma to the Lord,
4 then he who brings his offering shall offer to the Lord a grain offering of a tenth of an ephah of fine flour, mixed with a quarter of a hin of oil;
5 And the fourth part of a hin of wine for a drink offering you shall prepare with the burnt offering or the sacrifice, for each lamb.
6 And for a drink offering you shall offer a third of a hin of wine, a pleasing aroma to the Lord.
7 and for the drink offering you shall offer a third of a hin of wine, a pleasing aroma to the Lord.
8 And when you offer a bull as a burnt offering or sacrifice, to fulfill a vow or for peace offerings to the Lord,
9 then two tenths of an ephah of fine flour shall be mixed with a third of a hin of oil.
10 And you shall offer for the drink offering half a hin of wine, as a food offering, a pleasing aroma to the Lord.
11 Thus shall it be done for each bull or ram, or for each lamb or young goat.
12 According to the number that you prepare, so shall you do with each one according to their number.
13 ‘All who are native shall do these things in this way, in offering a food offering, with a pleasing aroma to the Lord.
14 And if a stranger is sojourning with you, or anyone is living permanently among you, and he wishes to offer a food offering, with a pleasing aroma to the Lord, he shall do as you do.
15 For the assembly, there shall be one statute for you and for the stranger who sojourns with you, a statute forever throughout your generations. You and the sojourner shall be alike before the Lord.
16 One law and one rule shall be for you and for the stranger who sojourns with you.
Numbers 28:1-8: 1 The Lord spoke to Moses, saying,
2 “Command the people of Israel and say to them, ‘My offering, my food for my food offerings, my pleasing aroma, you shall be careful to offer to me at its appointed time.’”
3 And you shall say to them, This is the food offering that you shall offer to the Lord: two male lambs a year old without blemish, day by day, as a regular offering.
4 The one lamb you shall offer in the morning, and the other lamb you shall offer at twilight;
5 also a tenth of an ephah of fine flour for a grain offering, mixed with a quarter of a hin of beaten oil.
6 It is a regular burnt offering, which was ordained at Mount Sinai for a pleasing aroma, a food offering to the Lord.
7 “Its drink offering shall be a quarter of a hin for each lamb. In the Holy Place you shall pour out a drink offering of strong drink to the Lord.”
8 The other lamb you shall offer at twilight; as the grain offering of the morning and as its drink offering, you shall offer it, a food offering with a pleasing aroma to the Lord.
Ezekiel 45:13-17: 13 “This is the offering that you shall make: one sixth of an ephah from each homer of wheat, and one sixth of an ephah from each homer of barley,”
14 And the prescribed portion of oil, of the bath of oil, shall be a tenth of a bath from each cor (the cor, like the homer, contains ten baths).
15 And one sheep from every flock of two hundred, from the watering places of Israel for grain offering, burnt offering, and peace offerings, to make atonement for them, declares the Lord God.
16 All the people of the land shall be obliged to give this offering to the prince in Israel.
17 It shall be the prince’s duty to furnish the burnt offerings, grain offerings, and drink offerings, at the feasts, the new moons, and the Sabbaths, all the appointed feasts of the house of Israel: he shall provide the sin offerings, grain offerings, burnt offerings, and peace offerings, to make atonement on behalf of the house of Israel.
Malachi 1:6-14: 6 “A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If then I am a father, where is my honor? And if I am a master, where is my fear? declares the Lord of hosts to you, O priests, who despise my name. But you say, ‘How have we despised your name?’
7 By offering polluted food upon my altar. But you say, ‘How have we polluted you?’ By saying that the Lord’s table may be despised.
8 When you offer blind animals in sacrifice, is that not evil? And when you offer those that are lame or sick, is that not evil? Offer that to your governor; will he accept you or show you favor? declares the Lord of hosts.
9 And now entreat the favor of God, that he may be gracious to us. With such a gift from your hand, will he show favor to any of you? Declares the Lord of hosts.
10 Oh that there were one among you who would shut the doors, that you might not kindle fire on my altar in vain! I have no pleasure in you, says the Lord of hosts, and I will not accept an offering from your hand.
11 For from the rising of the sun to its setting my name will be great among the nations, and in every place incense will be offered to my name, and a pure offering. For my name will be great among the nations, says the Lord of hosts.
12 “But you profane it when you say that the Lord’s table is polluted, and its fruit, that is, its food may be despised.”
13 But you say, ‘What a weariness this is,’ and you snort at it, says the Lord of hosts. You bring what has been taken by violence or is lame or sick, and this you bring as your offering! Shall I accept that from your hand? says the Lord.
14 “But cursed be the deceiver who has in his flock a male, and vows it, and yet sacrifices to the Lord what is blemished. For I am a great King, says the Lord of hosts, and my name will be feared among the nations.”
Hebrews 10:1-18: 10 For since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered every year, make perfect those who draw near.
2 Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered, since the worshipers, having once been cleansed, would no longer have any consciousness of sins?
3 But in these sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year.
4 For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.
5 Consequently, when Christ came into the world, he said, “Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired, but a body have you prepared for me;
6 In burnt offerings and sin offerings you have taken no pleasure.
7 Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come to do your will, O God, as it is written of me in the scroll of the book.’
When he said above, “You have neither desired nor taken pleasure in sacrifices and offerings and burnt offerings and sin offerings” (these are offered according to the law),
9 then he added, “Behold, I have come to do your will.” He does away with the first in order to establish the second.
10 And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
11 And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins.
12 But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God,
13 waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet.
14 For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.
15 And the Holy Spirit also bears witness to us; for after saying,
16 “This is the covenant that I will make with them
after those days, declares the Lord:
I will put my laws on their hearts,
and write them on their minds,”
17 then he adds, “I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more.”
18 Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer any offering for sin.
Reverend Ogunlade is a seasoned Church Minister with over three decades of experience in guiding and nurturing congregations. With profound wisdom and a serene approach, Reverend Ogunlade has carried out various pastoral duties, including delivering uplifting sermons, conducting religious ceremonies, and offering sage counsel to individuals seeking spiritual guidance. Their commitment to fostering harmony and righteousness within their community is exemplified through their compassionate nature, making them a beloved and trusted figure among the congregation.