LEVITICUS 2 - GRAIN OFFERING: THE WORK OF OUR HANDS AS A PLEASING AROMA BEFORE GOD
- Pr Enos Mwakalindile
- Jul 14
- 5 min read
Updated: Jul 30
Drawing Close to God: Walk in the Levites, Look to Christ
❓ Can your daily tasks—baking, farming, weaving, teaching—be part of true worship befo
🪔 INTRODUCTION AND CONTEXT
After the burnt offering (Leviticus 1)—a symbol of total dedication—we are now introduced to the grain offering (Heb. minchah מִנְחָה), a bloodless offering, made from the work of human hands. Unlike the burnt offering which involved an animal, here we encounter flour, oil, and frankincense—everyday items, but considered holy before the Lord.
In the grain offering we see that not only blood can be an offering, but even the sweat of your face can ascend as a sweet aroma to the Lord.
This is an offering that represents the fruits of daily life set aside for God. Therefore, Leviticus 2 is an invitation to turn every ordinary task into a special act of worship.
📖 Read First: Leviticus 2
Consider the various types of grain offerings—unleavened dough, baked cakes, and fried offerings. Why no leaven? Why was only incense burned?
📖 STRUCTURE OF THE GRAIN OFFERING
The offering of unleavened flour (vv. 1–3)
The offering of baked bread (vv. 4–10)
A grain offering roasted in a frying pan or pot (vv. 5–10)
Provisions regarding yeast and honey—not permitted (v. 11)
Putting salt—an everlasting covenant (v. 13)
The offering of the firstfruits of the new grain (vv. 14–16)
📖 STUDY STRUCTURE FOR THIS CHAPTER
📘 ORDINARY LIFE EDITION: THE FRUITS OF THE SWEAT OF THE FACE – V. 1–3
The grain offering is an offering of the produce of the hands —fine flour, pure oil, and frankincense. This is a picture of everyday life: food on the table becoming worship at the altar. God accepts not only the spiritual life, but also the work of our hands.
God does not only ask for blood for atonement; he also asks for sweat for fellowship.
The flour was not just ordinary—it had to be soft, of good quality, unleavened. In today’s language: our work should not be haphazard; it is excellent, genuine, and honest.
📘 BAKED BREADS: A DILIGENTLY PREPARED WORK – V. 4–10
It was not enough to pour the dough. It had to be cooked—whether in the oven, in the frying pan, or in the pot. The act of cooking is a picture of preparation, patience, and effort. God reminds us that even kitchen chores—when done with a sincere heart—can be a holy offering.
“By offering this offering, a person was placing his work in God's hands, saying: 'These are the fruits of my hands. They are yours, O Lord.'”
In the New Testament, Paul says: “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31)
📘 THE SALT OF THE COVENANT: THE OATH OF FAITH – V. 13
All grain offerings required salt. Why? Salt was a sign of the everlasting covenant (Numbers 18:19). It was a permanent oath, a proof of God’s faithfulness. In everyday life, God calls us to put the salt of grace, love, and faithfulness in every action.
“You shall season every grain offering with salt. You shall not allow any offering to be offered without the salt of the covenant of your God.” — Leviticus 2:13
Jesus said to his disciples: “You are the salt of the earth…” (Matthew 5:13)
📘 THE ABSENCE OF LEAVEN AND HONEY – V. 11–12
Yeast and honey, although good things in everyday life, were not allowed in the burnt offering on the altar. Why?
Yeast symbolized corruption and the process of fermentation, becoming a symbol of sin or inner corruption.
Honey (debash), according to Jacob Milgrom and L. Michael Morales , did not burn well and was sometimes associated with pagan rituals. It was not suitable for offering as a fragrant fire offering.
Tim Mackie explains that this is a picture of removing external influences and providing a clean version, free from dirt or hypocrisy.
“Not everything that is sweet is suitable for the altar.” —Proverbs 2:11
📘 FIRSTFRUIT: FIRSTFRUIT UNTO THE LORD – V. 14–16
The grain offering was concluded with the offering of the firstfruits —that is, the first fruits of the harvest. This meant that God was not to be given the leftovers, but the best and the first.
The firstfruits are a testimony that this life, this harvest, is not ours—it is God’s.
In Christ, we learn that he is the “firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.” (1 Corinthians 15:20) —the first offering of the new creation.
📖 SUMMARY OF THE STUDY
The grain offering teaches us that worship is not only a blood offering but also a daily offering of life. Flour, oil, salt—all become ingredients of true worship. Therefore, your work—whether it is cooking, teaching, or farming—can be a sweet aroma before the Lord if you do it with a holy heart.
In the life of Christ, we see not only a burnt offering but also a grain offering—a daily life anointed with the Spirit, filled with the incense of prayer, and offered in its entirety to the Father.
🧱 LIFE USE
“Work hard, as for the Lord, and not for men.” (Colossians 3:23)
Today, change your perspective on your daily work. See it as an altar—a place to offer the pure offering of a grace-filled heart. Treat your work as an act of worship.
🔍 Reflect More
Is there any work you do without associating it with God?
How could you turn that work into a sweet-smelling offering to God?
👥 For Study Groups
Discuss: In our daily lives, what grain offerings do we offer to the Lord? Can we truly turn ordinary activities into worship? Do we involve God in our daily tasks?
📣 Feedback & Partnership
What have you learned today about the meaning of daily work as worship? Share with us via maisha-kamili.com
🙏 FINAL PRAYER AND BLESSING
O Lord of the harvest and the morning sun, open my eyes, That I may see the common meal shining like gold upon thine altar. O anoint me with the Spirit like the early rain, Cook my work in the frying pan of grace, upon the fire of prayer. Today, it is not only I who do—it is You in me. Today, it is not just work—it is the worship of my whole heart.
Amen.
➡️ Next lesson: "Peace Offering – Leviticus 3"
Is there a way to share the same table with God as a friend, entering into the peace of fellowship with him?
📚 SOURCES FOR FURTHER STUDIES
L. Michael Morales , Who Shall Ascend the Mountain of the Lord? Morales explains how the grain offering reflects the offering of a daily life filled with holiness and worship. He shows that this offering is not of blood but of complete surrender to God through ordinary work.
John Walton , The Lost World of the Torah. Walton makes it clear that the Torah was not just about the law, but about the order of temple life and the presence of God. He emphasizes that ordinary work can be worship if it is accompanied by a covenantal order.
Tim Mackie , BibleProject , "Sacrifice & Atonement Series." Mackie teaches through video and text that all sacrifices are about bringing fellowship between God and humanity. He emphasizes that the grain offering is a picture of a daily life anointed with the Spirit.
Jacob Milgrom , Leviticus: Anchor Yale Bible , Vol. 1. Milgrom provides a scholarly analysis of the law of not allowing leaven and honey in a burnt offering. He explains that honey is unsuitable because of its reaction to fire and its liturgical nature in pagan cultures.
Ellen G. White , Patriarchs and Prophets , chapter 30. White explains the importance of sacrifice and its meaning for daily life. She shows how the sacrificial system was a shadow of Christ and an invitation to a holy life before God.
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