Offering of a Holy Life

Written By amy krahe

Amy K

A Study of the Levitical Sacrifices

The Book of Leviticus tests the II Timothy 2:16 verse, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.” While Leviticus is clearly God-breathed, it is hard to see how it would be useful in ‘teaching or training’ in our very modern, New Testament focused era.  Consequently, this book is one rarely preached on and even more rarely studied for daily devotion.  Yet, through my Christian journey, I have learned that God’s greatest revelations often appear in the most unexpected places - and Leviticus did just that for me.  

Though Leviticus primarily serves as an instruction guidebook for the Levitical priests on helping the Israelites atone for their sins, it is also a profound guidepost pointing directly to the New Testament's Gospel message and the Messiah to come. The five offerings detailed are the Burnt, Grain, Peace, Sin, and Guilt offering. The first three relate to maintaining a right relationship with God, while the final two address a believer in a broken relationship with Him.

As I began to study the first three offerings, I saw that this scripture truly is ‘useful in teaching, rebuking and correcting and training’.  How great is our God that He never fails us in His Truth!!  As we look at the first three offerings we not only see the provision for a relationship with His chosen people in the Old Testament but a purposeful and complete shadow of our relationship with our Lord and Savior today.  

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The First Three Offerings 

The Burnt Offering is an offering not for any specific sin but an atonement for all sin.  It was to be a freewill offering of a perfect animal.  A perfect substitute for our imperfect and blemished lives.  The offerer would lay his hand on the head of the animal signifying the transference of sin onto the animal and they, not the priest, would kill the animal.   Jesus is our perfect substitute; upon Him was laid each of our sins as He sacrificed Himself on our behalf. It was a total and complete sacrifice, wholly consumed by fire, just as Christ paid the total and complete price for us. In response, we are to give our lives totally and completely in surrender to Him, holding nothing back.The Grain Offering

The Grain Offering represents reliance on God and devotion to Him. Every element of this offering points directly to the coming Messiah, reinforcing that the Bible is divinely inspired.

  • The Finest Flour: As described in Leviticus 2:1-2, the finest flour represents Jesus as the "Bread of Life" or the "Living Bread" referenced throughout the New Testament.

  • The Olive Oil: The oil represents the Holy Spirit. Zechariah 4:6 states, "Not by might nor by power but by My Spirit, says the Lord of Hosts," as symbolized by the oil lampstands. Similarly, in the New Testament (James 5:14), elders anoint the sick with oil for healing, symbolizing the Spirit's work.

  • Frankincense: Creating a sweet aroma to the Lord, frankincense was one of the three gifts presented to Jesus by the Magi at His birth.

  • Salt: Salt symbolizes grace and has a preserving power, as noted in Matthew 5:13: "You are the salt of the earth..." It also represents gracious speech in Colossians 4:6: "Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person."

  • Yeast and Honey (Exclusions): The leavening agents, yeast and honey, were to be excluded. Yeast, which causes dough to puff up, consistently represents sin and pride in the Bible—a spirit that makes us think we know better than God. Christ, in contrast, came in complete humility, as Philippians 2:8 reminds us: "And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross." As we strive to be like Christ, humility must be our guidepost.  

The Peace (or Thanksgiving) Offering is an act of praise and gratitude, signifying fellowship. While it is a freewill offering sacrificed by the individual, it is not all consumed. The fat is entirely burned, but a portion of the meat is shared and eaten with the priest. This act brings peace between us and God, as well as with others in fellowship, aligning with Colossians 3:15: "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful."The Order of Reconciliation

Often, these offerings occurred together, and the priests followed a specific order: first the Burnt, then the Grain, and finally the Peace offering. This sequence directly illustrates the order of our reconciliation with God. We first give ourselves wholly to God, who atoned for our sins by the once-for-all sacrifice of His Son (Burnt). "Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He did this once for all when he offered himself." (Hebrews 7:27). In response to this atonement, we offer thanksgiving and praise (Grain). Finally, through the peace made possible by Jesus's death and resurrection, we are not only reconciled to God but also brought into fellowship with other believers (Peace).

Digging further into these offerings reveals a beautiful picture of the Christian walk—not as an archaic, bloody ritual, but as a living reflection of our relationship with our Maker. Praise be to God!

Responsive Prayer: Lord, may we never take for granted Your Word.  How vast and deep it is but how gracious you are to allow the Holy Spirit to reveal it to us at the exact perfect time that we need it.  We praise you for the perfect sacrifice of Your Son, who willingly laid himself down as a substitute for our sins.  May we never grow tired of gratitude and thankfulness for Your great love toward us and may we enjoy the fellowship that you have brought us into, not only with You but also with Your people.  In Jesus name, Amen.

amy krahe