“And their meat offering shall be of flour mingled with oil: three tenth deals shall ye offer for a bullock, and two tenth deals for a ram;”
Historical Context:The book of Numbers records the events that took place during the Israelites’ wilderness journey after their deliverance from Egypt. This particular verse is part of the instructions given to Moses by God regarding the daily offerings to be made at the tabernacle.
The Meat Offering: In this verse, the focus is on the “meat offering,” also known as the “grain offering” or “cereal offering.” The meat offering was a type of sacrifice presented to God by the Israelites. It consisted of fine flour mixed with oil and frankincense, and no leaven or honey was to be used. It was a voluntary offering that accompanied other types of sacrifices.
Quantities for Offerings: Numbers 28:20 specifies the quantities of the meat offering to be presented with different animals. For a bullock, the offering was to consist of three-tenths of an ephah (a dry measurement), which is approximately 3.6 liters or 7.6 pints of flour mixed with oil. For a ram, the offering was to be two-tenths of an ephah, or approximately 2.4 liters or 5.1 pints of flour mixed with oil.
Symbolism and Spiritual Meaning: The meat offering symbolizes dedicating the fruits of one’s labor to God. It represents an acknowledgment of God’s provision and gratitude for His blessings. The use of fine flour, which was produced through a process of grinding and refining, suggests a life that has been purified and consecrated to God.
The mingling of flour with oil signifies the union of humanity and divinity. Oil is often associated with the Holy Spirit, and it represents the anointing and empowerment of God. By combining the flour with oil, the offering becomes an expression of the believer’s dependence on the Holy Spirit to enable them to live a life that honors God.
Application:
- Although the specific regulations regarding the meat offering are part of the ceremonial practices of ancient Israel, we can still draw spiritual principles and lessons from this verse:
- Gratitude and Dedication: Just as the Israelites were instructed to offer the meat offering as an act of gratitude and dedication to God, we are called to present our lives as a living sacrifice to Him (Romans 12:1). Our daily activities, work, and resources should be offered to God with thanksgiving, recognizing that He is the source of all our blessings.
- Consecration: The use of fine flour, produced through a refining process, symbolizes a life that has been purified and consecrated to God. As believers, we are called to pursue holiness and allow God to refine our character, transforming us into vessels fit for His use (1 Peter 1:15-16).
- Dependence on the Holy Spirit: The oil represents the Holy Spirit, who empowers and anoints believers for their service to God. We should seek to rely on the guidance, strength, and empowerment of the Holy Spirit in every aspect of our lives (Galatians 5:16, Ephesians 5:18).
In conclusion, Numbers 28:20 provides instructions regarding the meat offering presented to God. While the specific regulations are part of the Old Testament ceremonial practices, we can draw spiritual lessons from this verse, including gratitude, dedication, consecration, and dependence on the Holy Spirit in our daily lives as believers.
