Week 46, Day 5: Grain offerings

Today’s Reading:  Leviticus 2:1 – 3:17

Some thoughts from the reading..

We are told about the grain offerings that were to be given by the Israelites.  Notice that only a memorial portion of the offering was actually burnt on the altar, Lev 2:2.  The rest was to go to the priest.  By doing so God had provided a way in which the priests would be provided for through the sacrifices.  The offering would be given and the priests serving would have food.  We are told several different ways that the grain offering could be prepared.  This could be to provide variety of foods for the priests or it could be for a convenience to the people.  Either way, God stated what He expected.  We also see that salt was to be included in the offering.  I suspect that salt was a valuable commodity.  During the days of the Roman empire, the Roman soldiers are said to have been paid with salt.  This could be where the phrase comes from of saying, “any man worth his salt will do…”.  Salt was a valuable additive to foods.  This may be the case here, in which case the people would be adding into this simple offering something very valuable to them. 

Question:  Why do you think God commanded Israel not to eat the fat or the blood (Lev 3:17).  Does it matter if the reason is given?

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