“Thou shalt not offer the blood of my sacrifice with leavened bread; neither shall the fat of my sacrifice remain until the morning.”
Exodus 23:18 is part of a larger passage that contains various laws and regulations given by God to the Israelites. These laws were meant to guide the people in their worship and daily lives, promoting holiness, justice, and righteousness.
In this specific verse, God instructs the Israelites regarding the offering of sacrifices. There are two main aspects mentioned: the use of leavened bread and the disposal of the fat of the sacrifice.
“Thou shalt not offer the blood of my sacrifice with leavened bread”: Leaven is a substance used in baking to make dough rise. In biblical times, leaven was often associated with fermentation, corruption, or impurity. In the context of sacrifices, leavened bread was prohibited because it represented impurity or sinfulness. Offering sacrifices was an act of worship and atonement, meant to approach God in a state of purity and holiness. Therefore, the use of leavened bread was not allowed in these offerings. Unleavened bread, on the other hand, symbolized purity and sincerity, which was to be offered instead (Exodus 12:8).
“Neither shall the fat of my sacrifice remain until the morning”: The fat of the sacrifice refers to the fatty portions of the animal offered as a sacrifice. God commanded that the fat should not be left overnight but should be burned on the altar as an offering to Him. This instruction emphasized the principle of giving God the best portion of the sacrifice and not delaying it until the next day. It also prevented the possibility of the fat spoiling or being used for other purposes, ensuring its exclusive dedication to God.
These regulations regarding sacrifices were designed to teach the Israelites about the importance of approaching God with reverence, purity, and obedience. They reflected God’s desire for a sincere and wholehearted worship from His people.
It’s worth noting that as Christians, we are not under the Old Testament ceremonial law. Jesus Christ’s sacrifice on the cross fulfilled and superseded the need for animal sacrifices (Hebrews 10:1-18). However, studying these Old Testament laws helps us understand the principles of worship, reverence, and obedience that are still applicable to our lives today.
In summary, Exodus 23:18 emphasizes the importance of offering sacrifices to God in a manner that reflects purity, sincerity, and wholehearted devotion. The prohibition of leavened bread and the prompt disposal of the fat of the sacrifice were symbolic acts that taught the Israelites about the need for reverence and obedience in their worship of God.
