Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

Today’s devotion comes from Leviticus chapter 2.  Here is a link to this Scripture – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Leviticus%202&version=NASB1995

I quote only the following verses.

“‘Now when anyone presents a grain offering as an offering to the LORD, his offering shall be of fine flour, and he shall pour oil on it and put frankincense on it.  He shall then bring it to Aaron’s sons the priests;  and shall take from it his handful of its fine flour and of its oil with all of its frankincense.  And the priest shall offer it up in smoke as its memorial portion on the altar, an offering by fire of a soothing aroma to the LORD.  …

…

‘No grain offering, which you bring to the LORD, shall be made with leaven, for you shall not offer up in smoke any leaven or any honey as an offering by fire to the LORD.  …  Every grain offering of yours, moreover, you shall season with salt, so that the salt of the covenant of your God shall not be lacking from your grain offering;  with all your offerings you shall offer salt.”  Leviticus 2:1-2 and 11 and 13.

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What is the significance of frankincense, leaven, and salt in the grain offering?

Frankincense represents Christ and that ultimately the grain offering is acceptable because of Christ.  Like Christ is well-pleasing to God, the aroma of frankincense is a fragrant and soothing aroma to God.  Also, we are a fragrance of Christ to God.

“After coming into the house they (the magi a/k/a wise men) saw the Child (Christ) with Mary His mother;  and they fell to the ground and worshiped Him.  Then, opening their treasures, they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.”  Matthew 2:11.

“For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing;  to the one an aroma from death to death, to the other an aroma from life to life.  …”  2 Corinthians 2:11.

Leaven represents false teaching.  We must worship God in spirit and truth.

“Under these circumstances, after so many thousands of people had gathered together that they were stepping on one another, He began saying to His disciples first of all, “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.”  Luke 12:1.

“But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth;  for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers.  God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”  John 4:23-24.

Salt is distinctive.  Food is seasoned with salt to change the food from being bland to being flavorful.  Grain particularly can be bland, and salt is useful to make it more flavorful.  

But, the salt also has a deeper meaning.  Salt represents grace, distinctive and particular grace.  

“Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person.”  Colossians 4:6.

The world tries to push everyone to believe that everyone is the same and to act alike.  But, Reformed Doctrine teaches that there is no common grace.  Those whom God saved are unique, distinctive, fragrant, and  flavorful, and they should believe it and act like it.  They should not be conformed to the world, but they should declare the excellencies of God, including the sovereign particular grace of God.   

“You are the salt of the earth;  but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again?  It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men.”  Matthew 5:11.

“But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God’s OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;  for you once were NOT A PEOPLE, but now you are THE PEOPLE OF GOD;  you had NOT RECEIVED MERCY, but now you have RECEIVED MERCY.”  1 Peter 2:9-10.