These first three kinds of offering (sacrifice) describe things that God is pleased with and finds acceptable from humans. All the details in these offerings point to the moral perfection and purity of the Lord Jesus Christ. Acceptance with God is based on the fact that Christ is accepted on our behalf. The spiritual offerings we bring need to be about and focused on Jesus.
1 Corinthians 1:30 It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.
2 Corinthians 5:21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Philippians 3:9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.
Righteousness is intended to convey the idea of a complete right-standing with God – without spot or blemish. The offerings portray, foreshadow this righteousness. Each aspects is intended to show us that God’s standard needs to be perfect in the whole being, body, soul and spirit. The New Testament displays Jesus – the Holy One of God.
Ephesians 5:2 and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
We are invited, in Christ, to offer ourselves to God’s service.
Romans 12:1-2 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. (2) Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
- The Burnt Offering brought God’s people into a state of acceptance with God.
- The Grain Offering provided food that both God and His people could enjoy.
- The Peace offering brought God’s family into fellowship in a feast of generosity and joy.
With all the offerings there were essential ingredients:
- Suffering and fire for the things offered
- Washing in running water – emphasising that nothing on earth is sufficient to portray the moral beauty of Jesus
- Salt – a covenant preserved in and through Jesus
- Frankincense – further emphasis on Christ’s holiness and fragrant life
- Wine – joy of the Lord
Three things were not allowed in or with the offerings:
- Yeast – religious and sinful invasion of God’s will for us
- Honey – human sentiment, emotional responses
- Blood – given to the ground that we might walk (live) where we are securely saved