Memorials in the Bible
A memorial is an object which serves as a focus for memory of something, usually a person (who has died) or an event. The most common type of memorial is the gravestone or the memorial plaque. Also common are war memorials commemorating those who have died in wars.
God has given us many memorials. This week we will look at four of them.
OFFERING TO THE LORD
2) Meat offering
And when any will offer a meat offering unto the Lord, his offering shall be of fine flour; and he shall pour oil upon it, and put frankincense thereon: And he shall bring it to Aaron’s sons the priests: and he shall take thereout his handful of the flour thereof, and of the oil thereof, with all the frankincense thereof; and the priest shall burn the memorial of it upon the altar, to be an offering made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the Lord: (Leviticus 2:2)
8 And thou shalt bring the meat offering that is made of these things unto the Lord: and when it is presented unto the priest, he shall bring it unto the altar.9 And the priest shall take from the meat offering a memorial thereof, and shall burn it upon the altar: it is an offering made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the Lord.10 And that which is left of the meat offering shall be Aaron’s and his sons’: it is a thing most holy of the offerings of the Lord made by fire. (Leviticus 2:8-10)
15 And thou shalt put oil upon it, and lay frankincense thereon: it is a meat offering. 16 And the priest shall burn the memorial of it, part of the beaten corn thereof, and part of the oil thereof, with all the frankincense thereof: it is an offering made by fire unto the Lord. (Leviticus 2:15-16)
“In the context of Old Testament worship, the term “meat-offering” is somewhat misleading in modern English, as it refers not to animal flesh but to offerings of grain or meal. The Hebrew term “minchah” is more accurately translated as “grain offering” or “meal offering.” These offerings were a significant aspect of the sacrificial system instituted by God for the Israelites, as detailed in the book of Leviticus.
The meat-offering was a voluntary act of worship, symbolizing the offerer’s dedication and gratitude to God. It typically consisted of fine flour, oil, and frankincense. The offering could be presented in various forms, such as uncooked flour, baked cakes, or wafers. The inclusion of oil and frankincense was significant, as oil symbolized the Holy Spirit and anointing, while frankincense represented prayer and the pleasing aroma of a life dedicated to God.
A distinctive feature of the meat-offering was that a small portion of it was consumed on the altar as a “memorial.” This act is described in Leviticus 2:2 : “and bring it to Aaron’s sons the priests. The priest shall take a handful of the fine flour and oil, together with all the frankincense, and burn this as a memorial portion on the altar, an offering made by fire, a pleasing aroma to the LORD.” The burning of this portion served as a symbolic reminder of the covenant relationship between God and His people, acknowledging His provision and sovereignty.
The remainder of the offering was given to the priests for their sustenance, as stated in Leviticus 2:3 : “The rest of the grain offering belongs to Aaron and his sons; it is a most holy part of the offerings made by fire to the LORD.” This provision underscored the communal and covenantal nature of the offerings, as the priests, who served as mediators between God and the people, were sustained by the gifts of the congregation.
The meat-offering, therefore, was not only an act of personal devotion but also a means of supporting the priestly ministry and maintaining the spiritual life of the community. It highlighted the importance of giving back to God from the blessings He had bestowed, fostering a spirit of thankfulness and reliance on His continued provision.
In the broader theological context, the meat-offering foreshadowed the ultimate sacrifice of Christ, who offered Himself as the bread of life for the salvation of humanity. As believers, the principles underlying the meat-offering encourage a life of gratitude, service, and dedication to God, recognizing that all we have is a gift from Him. (https://biblehub.com/topical/ttt/m/meat-offerings–a_small_part_of,_was_consumed_on_the_altar_for_a_memorial.htm)
Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com
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