The Meat-Offering by CLARENCE SANTEE

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Sep 22, 1914

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 41, No. 37.

The Meat-Offering

By CLARENCE SANTEE

Its Significance in the Sanctuary Service

By CLARENCE SANTEE

THE meat-offering is described in Lev. 2:1-3. This would follow the burnt offering. It was an offering of praise to God for His blessing of acceptance and freedom from sin.

While called a meat-offering, it used no flesh. It could be called a food-offering, or as in the A. R. V., a "meal-offering." It had no life taken, no blood shed. These were the central figures in the sin-offering and the burnt offering. Not so of this. It was to be of fine flour, oil, and frankincense. Verse 1.

THE IMPULSE OF THANKFULNESS

The first impulse of the one delivered from sin is to thank God for the bread of life, the righteousness of Christ, and the ability to reflect His beautiful character in the flesh.

To praise God should be the first thought of every soul that has been set free. Yet when Christ was upon earth, and from His abundant grace He at one time healed ten lepers, only one thought to return to thank and praise Him. Luke 17:15-19.

A spirit of true gratitude and appreciation for favors bestowed, is one of great value in the sight of God.

HE GIVES THE WILL AND IMPUTES THE DOING

The fine flour of the offering represents the bread of life. Lev. 24:5-7; John 6:48-51. One has said, "That oil represents the righteousness of Christ." The frankincense fitly represents the "sweet savor" of the Christian life. 2 Cor. 2:15. The man took of the flour and the oil his "handful"—all that he could contain—and all the frankincense. While God gives the will to undertake, and the power to do, of His good pleasure (Phil. 2:13), He imputes the doing all to the man who has placed himself in His hand.

That which remained of the meat-offering was for "Aaron and his sons." Lev. 2:3. The joy of a soul saved remains not alone with Christ and the one made free, but angels join in the rejoicing. "Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth." Luke 15:10.

THRILLED BY THE SPIRIT OF PRAISE

What must have been the emotions of the man with heart full of praise for his deliverance, as he, under the guidance of the priest, made this offering! He saw a Saviour to come, that spotless character now his own, and his soul filled with new desires for a high and holy life and the power to attain to it. He thrilled with the thought of joy in heaven over his acceptance of the life so freely given. Every soul that has been made free by the Spirit of God, knows in his own heart the truthfulness of this experience.

Under the inspiration and guidance of the priest in making the offering, there would be no unseemly demonstration, no exhibition that would create mirth or derision.

After returning praise to God for his new life, new hope and expectation, there was another step in the Christian pathway. No person can retain a living connection with God

and a bright experience, unless he tells to others the blessings he has received. The Saviour said to the demoniac who was healed, "Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee." Mark 5:19. "For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." Rom. 10:10.

Those in the shadow were not left in doubt as to their duty and privilege. An impressive offering was made which embodied a model testimony to the goodness of God, and the joy of His child.

"LEAVEN" AND "UNLEAVENED"

The offering of thanksgiving followed the meat-offering, and taught that after returning thanks to God for freedom from sin, a confession of this blessing must be made before men. This offering is recorded in Lev. 7:12-15. A few points will be of interest. Unleavened cakes mingled with oil were used. "Leaven" and "unleavened" are words often used in the Scripture. Their meaning is explained in 1 Cor. 5:8. It reads, "Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth."

In this verse, "leaven" stands for "malice and wickedness," and "unleavened" for "sincerity and truth." Keeping these definitions in mind, we can see the force of expression in many figures.

MALICE AND WICKEDNESS IF LEFT ALONE

The first requirement in an acceptable testimony to God's goodness is "sincerity and truth" (Lev. 7:12), "mingled with oil," which represents the righteousness of Christ. The Lord has said, "Whoso offereth praise glorifieth Me." Ps. 50:23. Ascribing praise to God for His deliverance and acceptance, is a part of true worship.

In Lev. 7:13, the one making a thank-offering is told also to offer "leavened bread." God does not bless the man who, in his pride, points to himself as an example, one who does not sin. Instead, while ascribing all praise to God for victories gained, in sincerity, one must add to this offering the acknowledgment that in himself there is nothing good—that if left alone, "malice and wickedness," represented by the leaven, would fill the heart.

TO BE EATEN THAT DAY

This sacrifice was to be eaten the same day that it was offered. Perhaps you have known a brother or a sister who never wearied of telling some bygone experience, possibly years in the past, good enough in itself, but not a present experience. If anything is needed to kill the interest in a meeting, this will usually accomplish the task. God does not want His children forever living in the past. The offering "shall be eaten the same day that it is offered." Verse 15.

IT GROWS ON NEW WOOD

There should be a present feasting upon God's word, an ascription of praise for the present blessing. God compares His children to the branches of the vine. John 15:1-8. The vine never bears its clusters on the branch that grew last year. The fruit appears on the part that grows new itself while the clusters are forming.

The last year's growth has its place in connecting the new growth with the vine, but the new growth alone bears the fruit. In the same way, our experience of the past is a strong factor in holding us faithful, making us helpful to others and sound in counsel. But the new, present experience in the things of God, bears the fruit that glorifies Him.

Testifying before men, in sincerity, ascribing all goodness to God, praise for present freedom, recognizing our own weaknesses, and basing all on the present experience,—this constitutes a sacrifice well pleasing to God.