Steaks on the Grill

O. T. #267  "Steaks on the Grill"
April 11, 2014
Leviticus 1-Part 1
Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour. 
Ephesians 5:2 KJV


LET IT GLOW

Nothing smells more luscious than a steak on the grill, to me. My mouth waters when I drive by the local steakhouse. I resist the urge to pull into the parking lot of that place and eat what I am smelling.
However, the best steak in the state is cooked by our son on his grill. Those are home grown on the farm. Apparently, the Lord likes the smell of cooking meat. How does He get it? Read on to find out.


The Book of Leviticus starts out describing the five sacrifices/offerings which God accepts:

1. The Whole Burnt offering
2. The Meal offering
3. The Peace offering
4. The Sin offering
5. The Trespass offering.

The first three offerings mentioned are sweet savor offerings (1:1-3:17).The last two listed above are the non-sweet savor offerings (4:1-6:7). (Falwell)


LET IT GROW

The Whole Burnt Offering

Requirements for the animal include:

• a male
• without blemish (perfect inside and outside)
• a voluntarily offered
• owner put his hand on the animal's head, transferring his sin and guilt to the animal)
• its blood was collected and sprinkled on the Brazen Altar by the priest
• it was skinned and burnt completely on the altar
• it was offered by fire, as a sweet smelling savor, fragrance. (verse 9)

Sweet smelling savor pictures Christ in all His perfections offering Himself entirely to God in our place. Christ's death was voluntary (John 10:17-18) and was powerful enough to save sinners completely. (Heb. 7:25) the requirements were the same for all the animals. However, the bullock was the most expensive. Turtledoves and pigeons were acceptable offerings from the poorer people. God is no respecter of persons (Rom. 2:11).  (Falwell)

Do we give our best in our offerings? Do we daily offer ourselves as a living sacrifice to God for His glory and use? In Romans 12:1-2, Paul tells to do so.

Just as priests were to maintain a "continual burnt offering" (6:12-13), so we are to be constantly dedicated to the Lord for His glory.  (Wiersbe)

A continually burning fire on the altar was a sign of a continual atonement and a sign of Israel's devotion to God.

2 Corinthians 2:15 and Ephesians 5:2 explain our challenge.

LET IT GO

Offer myself unto Christ as an offering.

Be sweet today.

Walk in love as Christ love us.