Leviticus 2:16: “Then the priest shall burn the memorial portion: part of its beaten grain and part of its oil, with all the frankincense, as an offering made by fire to the LORD.”

December 16th, 2022 by Pastor Ed in devotional

This chapter records the Old-Testament rituals that had to be followed in order to bring God a meal or grain offering. Many see this fire as a picture of the passion or fervency of spirit that should be burning in all of us who desire to serve God. The picture from the New Testament is that the Holy Spirit is the fire that God puts in us. But we must be continually stirred up. As Paul wrote to Timothy, “Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” (2 Tim. 1:6–7).

The Greek word “stir up” means to “rekindle” or “to keep in full flame.” Just as a campfire needs to be constantly stoked, rekindled, or added to, so our faith constantly needs to be given fuel. The picture is of stirring up the coals of a fire that has died down. When you stir up smoldering embers, the flames come back to life. Like Timothy, we also already have all that is needed for service to God and people, but the intensity of our faith must be maintained.

In Leviticus 2:13 we read that every grain offering was to be seasoned with salt. This is another component best understood from the New-Testament perspective. As Jesus said, “For everyone will be seasoned with fire, and every sacrifice will be seasoned with salt. Salt is good, but if the salt loses its flavor, how will you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace with one another” (Mark 9:49). We know that salt both gives flavor and preserves from corruption. As followers of Jesus Christ, we are to add flavor to life and preserve the world around us from general corruption.

“LORD, fill us with Your fire and salt that we might be stirred up to serve You today.”