“And he shall take of it his handful, of the flour of the meat offering, and of the oil thereof, and all the frankincense which is upon the meat offering, and shall burn it upon the altar for a sweet savour, even the memorial of it, unto the LORD.”
Context and Background: The book of Leviticus is part of the Pentateuch, the first five books of the Bible, traditionally attributed to Moses. Leviticus focuses on the laws and regulations given to the Israelites, particularly the Levites, concerning worship, sacrifices, and priestly duties.
The verse in question falls within a section that provides instructions for the burnt offering, which was one of the primary offerings presented to God in the tabernacle or later in the temple.
The Meat Offering: The verse refers to the “meat offering” or “grain offering” (depending on the translation), which was an offering of grain made without yeast, oil, and frankincense. It was usually presented alongside animal sacrifices but had distinct purposes and symbolism.
The offering consisted of fine flour mixed with oil and frankincense. It was a non-blood sacrifice, symbolizing gratitude, devotion, and dedication to God. The meat offering expressed acknowledgment of God’s provision and the worshipper’s desire to honor Him.
The Ritual of Burning: In Leviticus 6:15, a portion of the meat offering is to be taken by the priest. He would take a handful of the flour, oil, and frankincense and burn it upon the altar. This act of burning represented the worshipper offering the best of what they had to God, acknowledging His worthiness and sovereignty.
The burning of the offering produced a “sweet savour,” a pleasing aroma to the Lord. It signified the acceptance of the worshipper’s devotion and was a visible sign of the worshipper’s desire for communion with God.
The Memorial: The verse also refers to the offering as a “memorial” unto the Lord. This memorial aspect highlights the idea of remembrance. The offering served as a perpetual reminder of God’s faithfulness, the worshipper’s commitment, and the covenant relationship between God and His people.
The burning of the meat offering on the altar created a lasting impression and symbolized the eternal bond between God and His people.
Application and Spiritual Significance: Although the context of Leviticus primarily relates to the Israelites’ worship practices in the Old Testament, there are spiritual principles we can draw from this verse:
- Gratitude and Dedication: The meat offering represents an attitude of gratitude and dedication to God. We can apply this principle in our lives by presenting our talents, resources, and ourselves as living sacrifices to God (Romans 12:1).
- Worship and Communion: The act of burning the offering as a “sweet savour” signifies the desire for communion with God. As believers, we can approach God through prayer, praise, and worship, desiring to fellowship with Him and honor His presence.
- Remembrance: The meat offering being a “memorial” reminds us to continually remember God’s faithfulness, His covenant, and the redemption we have through Jesus Christ. It encourages us to reflect on God’s goodness and offer our lives as living memorials to Him.
In summary, Leviticus 6:15 emphasizes the act of presenting an offering to God as an expression of gratitude, dedication, and worship. While we may not offer grain sacrifices today, we can learn from the principles behind the
verse and apply them in our daily lives as we seek to honor and worship God.
