TempleProphecy.com
To Dedicate Ourselves
The Israelites were to begin their year in the month that God brought them out of bondage in
Egypt (see Ex. ch. 12 & 13). The Feast Days are signs of being delivered and set apart as
God’s people. As we approach the Biblical New Year, we too must rededicate ourselves to
God and renew our covenant with Him. Yet not only at this time of year, but throughout the
year, as we continue to seek His face. God always requires us to be cleansed before
dedicating, or rededicating, ourselves to Him in service. In this season that God Himself
declared as a time of remembrance (see Ex. 13:3-10), let us all return to our Father in spirit,
soul and body by renewing our covenant and letting Him take us deeper in our love
relationship with Him.
The Israelites were to begin their year in the month that God brought them out of bondage in
Egypt (see Ex. ch. 12 & 13). The Feast Days are signs of being delivered and set apart as
God’s people. As we approach the Biblical New Year, we too must rededicate ourselves to
God and renew our covenant with Him. Yet not only at this time of year, but throughout the
year, as we continue to seek His face. God always requires us to be cleansed before
dedicating, or rededicating, ourselves to Him in service. In this season that God Himself
declared as a time of remembrance (see Ex. 13:3-10), let us all return to our Father in spirit,
soul and body by renewing our covenant and letting Him take us deeper in our love
relationship with Him.
Grain Offerings
The Passover and Feast of Unleavened Bread, which include eating bread made without yeast
and dedicating every firstborn male to God, commemorate God’s deliverance of His people out
of bondage and His faithfulness to bring His people into His promise. In Ex. 13:9, God explains
the importance of these Feast Days: “This observance will be for you like a sign on your hand
and a reminder on your forehead that the Law of the LORD is to be on your lips. For the
LORD brought you out of Egypt with his mighty hand.”
Leviticus chapter 2 explains the grain offering that was to be presented before ADONAI (the
LORD). This offering was made of fine flour, oil, incense and salt. It was presented to God to
demonstrate honor and respect for Him and as an ordination offering for the priests (see Lev.
6:19-23 & 7:37). As with the Passover and Feast of Unleavened Bread, there was to be no
yeast present in the grain offering. In Matthew 16:5-12, the Messiah uses yeast as a
metaphor for false teaching, and in First Corinthians 5:6-8, Paul uses it as a metaphor for
malice and wickedness. In both cases, we see yeast representing defilement. As we present
ourselves to God, He expects us to be undefiled. Thus, placing our flesh on the altar as a
burnt offering must precede dedicating ourselves to His service (just as Lev. ch. 1 about the
burnt offering precedes ch. 2 about the grain offering).
Each ingredient of the grain offering is significant. Fine flour represents bringing our best to
God, in all things. Oil represents the anointing by the Spirit of God. Samuel used olive oil to
anoint David and the Spirit of God came upon him (see 1 Sam. 16:1&13). Also in Zechariah
chapter 4, Zerubbabel and Joshua were anointed to serve ADONAI (the LORD) and they were
represented in the vision as two olive branches that poured oil into the lampstand that lit God’s
House. As we are rededicated to Him, He pours out His anointing upon us that we may be
used in the lives of others. This anointing unites us in the Kingdom as well (see Ps. 133).
Incense, which represents the prayers of God’s set apart people (see Rev. 5:8), was also
added to the grain offerings showing us the importance of prayer as we dedicate ourselves to
Him. Additionally, the salt of the covenant was never to be left out. Salt is a cleansing agent,
a seasoning and a sign of covenant. In Old Testament times, two people entering into a
covenant would each bring a pouch of salt and sprinkle salt into each others’ bags. Just as
the original salt could never be returned, so also the covenant could not be broken. We are
the salt of the earth (see Matt. 5:13-16) and represent God’s covenant with mankind. Lastly, a
memorial portion of the grain offering was offered to God and not eaten by the priests. This
memorial portion is a reminder of deliverance from sin through the Messiah who commands us
to break unleavened bread and eat it in remembrance of Him (see Luke 22:19).
Remembering His sacrifice helps us to honor God and dedicate ourselves to His service.
The Passover and Feast of Unleavened Bread, which include eating bread made without yeast
and dedicating every firstborn male to God, commemorate God’s deliverance of His people out
of bondage and His faithfulness to bring His people into His promise. In Ex. 13:9, God explains
the importance of these Feast Days: “This observance will be for you like a sign on your hand
and a reminder on your forehead that the Law of the LORD is to be on your lips. For the
LORD brought you out of Egypt with his mighty hand.”
Leviticus chapter 2 explains the grain offering that was to be presented before ADONAI (the
LORD). This offering was made of fine flour, oil, incense and salt. It was presented to God to
demonstrate honor and respect for Him and as an ordination offering for the priests (see Lev.
6:19-23 & 7:37). As with the Passover and Feast of Unleavened Bread, there was to be no
yeast present in the grain offering. In Matthew 16:5-12, the Messiah uses yeast as a
metaphor for false teaching, and in First Corinthians 5:6-8, Paul uses it as a metaphor for
malice and wickedness. In both cases, we see yeast representing defilement. As we present
ourselves to God, He expects us to be undefiled. Thus, placing our flesh on the altar as a
burnt offering must precede dedicating ourselves to His service (just as Lev. ch. 1 about the
burnt offering precedes ch. 2 about the grain offering).
Each ingredient of the grain offering is significant. Fine flour represents bringing our best to
God, in all things. Oil represents the anointing by the Spirit of God. Samuel used olive oil to
anoint David and the Spirit of God came upon him (see 1 Sam. 16:1&13). Also in Zechariah
chapter 4, Zerubbabel and Joshua were anointed to serve ADONAI (the LORD) and they were
represented in the vision as two olive branches that poured oil into the lampstand that lit God’s
House. As we are rededicated to Him, He pours out His anointing upon us that we may be
used in the lives of others. This anointing unites us in the Kingdom as well (see Ps. 133).
Incense, which represents the prayers of God’s set apart people (see Rev. 5:8), was also
added to the grain offerings showing us the importance of prayer as we dedicate ourselves to
Him. Additionally, the salt of the covenant was never to be left out. Salt is a cleansing agent,
a seasoning and a sign of covenant. In Old Testament times, two people entering into a
covenant would each bring a pouch of salt and sprinkle salt into each others’ bags. Just as
the original salt could never be returned, so also the covenant could not be broken. We are
the salt of the earth (see Matt. 5:13-16) and represent God’s covenant with mankind. Lastly, a
memorial portion of the grain offering was offered to God and not eaten by the priests. This
memorial portion is a reminder of deliverance from sin through the Messiah who commands us
to break unleavened bread and eat it in remembrance of Him (see Luke 22:19).
Remembering His sacrifice helps us to honor God and dedicate ourselves to His service.
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