Posted on by Abe Austin

Scriptural Analysis- Leviticus 2:13

13 And every oblation of thy meat offering shalt thou season with salt; neither shalt thou suffer the salt of the covenant of thy God to be lacking from thy meat offering: with all thine offerings thou shalt offer salt.

Previously we heard how leaven was forbidden from the offerings, and how it could be a symbol for corruption or worldly secularization. Today, we learn how salt, on the other hand, was an essential component. For each type of offering, it had to be seasoned with the salt. So, if leaven symbolized corruption, what did salt represent?

Well, salt fulfills two functions when applied to food. One is to add flavor to the dish, and the other is to serve as a preservative. Thus, salt can represent our spiritual flavor, and the preservation of God within us. Like leaven, a little bit of salt can affect the entire whole, but it does not mutate and bloat it like leaven does. Once salt is mixed into a dish, you can’t even see it, but when you taste it, you can tell that it is there. So it is with the Spirit in our hearts. You can’t see it, and we are still very much our own selves, but our actions are savory, and they preserve God’s kingdom on the earth.

SacrificeEligible oblationStepsExplanation
Meat OfferingFlour, oil, frankincenseGiving gratitude for blessings
Firstfruits from the fieldBlessings of raw potential
Separate ingredients burned on altarBody, spirit, and prayer uniting in gratitude
Ingredients baked into unleavened cakesDevotion to God’s law, unsullied by pagan practices
All offering types seasoned with saltSpiritual action and preservation
Portion given to priestsGod’s treasures shared with us

Full table.

Posted on by Abe Austin

The Nature of Sacrifice- John 12:24, Matthew 16:25

Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.

For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.

COMMENTARY

Except a corn of wheat die, it abideth alone
Whosoever will save his life shall lose it
Each one of us is given something at birth: a life to live. It is the greatest gift we possess, and it is ours to do with as we will. Understandably, we tend to put a lot of value in that life and guard it jealously. We avoid anything that we deem a danger to it, and prickle at the notion of someone else taking control of it. These instinctive tendencies of ours are good things, and they represent a healthy mentality.
But then, sometimes, the one that gave us that life asks us to give Him back a part of it. In some cases He even asks for all of it! And then those protective tendencies start to prove a hindrance. They naturally balk at the request. If we listen to them, and refuse our creator’s request, then we might be able to keep our life, but now it will be alone and empty.

But if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit
Whosoever will lose his life shall find it
If, however, we overcome the natural man, we might be able to give a completely bizarre and unnatural response, instead. We might agree to part with that which we have. In this case we take our precious life and hand it over, saying “it isn’t for me to choose anymore, God, you steer this thing where you want it to go.”
Make no mistake, it is a hard thing to do. Even Jesus hesitated at the prospect of it, and wondered if the cup could be taken from him. But, in the end, he settled on the mantra “not my will, but thine be done.” And because of it, he was resurrected, and the life he gave up was replaced by one that was better. So it will be for each of us as well. We have to be willing to part with the good things we have if we are to ever have space to receive the better.