Day 2 of studying Leviticus. (To return to the start of the journey, click here.)
“Give me a teachable spirit Lord.” I prayed as I began my study today. I jotted down my 3 categories, in short-hand this time.
- God is…
- I should…
- Q’s…
Reading about the grain offering could have been boring, monotonous…. another chapter to check off my list. However, I knew if I was planning to find relevance in this chapter, I would have to unleash my inquisitive nature chained behind my desire to read something easier. With my curiosity running wild like a 3rd-grade kid, I began to ask “why” as I read. Here’s what I wrote down:
Q’s…
- What does the grain offering represent?
- Why was yeast forbidden?
- Why did God require salt in the grain offering?
Again, I am so grateful for the helpful charts and notes in my Bible. I found the answer to yesterday’s question in this chart detailing how each offering differs from the others. As I observed, the burnt offering (ch. 1) is very much about offering one’s whole self to God in worship. I now realize that the grain offering (ch. 2) is a representation of dedicating one’s work to God. As Proverbs 3:9 repeats,
“Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the best part of everything you produce.”
If the grain offering represents our work, how does the “no yeast” rule apply (verse 11)? The notes in my study Bible presented a debated theory that God often used yeast to represent sin. If so, then Leviticus is urging its readers to keep their work free of sin.
God is not interested in his people compartmentalizing our lives: spiritual life, work, family life, friendships, me-time, etc. I believe He wants us to not just include God in each category, but centralize Him in every part of our lives. Leviticus commands the people to dedicate their work to God through a yeast-free grain offering. We too can dedicate our work by a sin-free work ethic. By forbidding laziness, inappropriate get-ahead mentalities, personal use of the time we are being paid for, etc. from our work, we can fully worship God.
“Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.” Colossians 3:23
The 3rd question addresses Leviticus 2:13: “You are to season each of your grain offerings with salt; you must not omit from your grain offering the salt of the covenant with your God. You are to present salt with each of your offerings.” What was so important about salt that the author repeats the same command 3 times in one verse!
According to the notes in my Bible, salt signified preservation or lasting for eternity. God is committed in his covenant with us for eternity. Again, that covenant (I will be your God, you will be my people, etc.) is not just for the spiritual compartment of our lives. It encompasses everything. God is interested in our work, and He is able to make our work efforts last and make an eternal difference. That gives me goosebumps!
To those who feel their day is a repetitive, task-oriented, exhausting, meaningless checking-off-the-to-do list, THIS chapter is for you. For those living for the weekends, charting, planning, streamlining efficiency just to make time for more monotonous tasks… Leviticus 2 is here to offer you HOPE! By inviting God into your work, your tasks can be “salty,” in other words, make a difference and last a lifetime.
The waitress who serves one rude party after the next can shine Christ’s light to her tables with a smile and gracious attitude.
The mom who picks up endless toys and folds bottomless laundry can be transformed into a prayer warrior as she serves her family.
The student who must pour over her notes to achieve a passing grade can exemplify, to her professor and peers, a Christ-like dedication and excellence in her approach to studying.
God has the power to redeem the most mundane task, transforming it into a daily masterpiece-in-progress. I cannot tell you how much hope this gave me. It’s chapter 2, and already I have found more relevance and application to my life than I ever expected out of Leviticus. Of course, it’s not about me, but God is glorifying himself in opening my eyes to see His great plan.
Here’s a recap:
God is…
- Interested in my work life.
- He is worthy of my best work.
- He is able to make my work last
I should…
- Dedicate my work to God.
- Pursue a sin-free work ethic.
- See my work as “salty” because of God
Q’s…
- What does the grain offering represent?
- Why was yeast forbidden?
- Why did God require salt in the grain offering?
- What does verse 3 mean “holiest part of the fire offerings”?
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