by Lane Rogers
1) The fundamental idea behind the meal offering: a gift brought by one who worships in recognition of God's supreme authority. At the same time it is asking for continued blessings.
While the burnt offering said all that I am belongs to you, the meal offering says all that I have belongs to you.
2) It must also be noticed that the meal offering had to come from cultivated grains, only products of the soil. Must also be cooked and never raw. Often included grinding, sifting and other forms of labor. One had to have work involved. The very minimum requirement was parching (vv. 14-16).
3) The meal offering then represents the product of a man's labor as being returned to God. For Israel and us, it was an obligation or duty. See Deut. 26:1 ff. Israel's calling was the cultivation of the land given to them by YHWH. That is: they were to go into the fields and work and return the products of their works back to the Lord. We have exactly the same calling. There are endless ways in which modern society works. There is the City Mission, Poor Committees, YMCA, Prison Reform groups and the list is endless. But - here is the point. Because we often labor for the good of mankind does not necessarily mean our labors are for God. The fruit of labors for God must be consecrated.
A. The meal offering is done by God's covenant people.
B. It was done inside a covenant relationship.
C. It was consecrated to God by His people.
The meal offering breaks down the barrier between the religious and the secular. God wants the fruits of your labors devoted to Him exclusively. The NT has the same idea. "Whatever we eat or drink, or whatever we do, do all to the Glory of God (I Cor. 10:31). The meal offering then teaches that God claims all of our activity, even to the food we eat. Thus, if God claims our labor (and he does), we have an investment in everything that we offer. David used the same idea. "I will not offer to God that which cost me nothing." II Sam. 24:24.
by Lane Rogers