Of fine flour with oil and frankincense, ver. 1 - 11.
Of the first fruits, ver. 12 - 16.
1: A meal - offering - (Not meat - offering, an ancient false print,
which has run thro' many editions of our bible.) This was of two kinds, the
one joined with other offerings, (Nu 15:4,7,10), which was prescribed,
together with the measure or proportion of it: the other, of which this
place speaks, was left to the offerer's good will both for the thing, and
for the quantity. And the matter for this offering was things without life,
as meal, corn, or cakes. Now this sort of sacrifices were appointed,
because these are things of greatest necessity and benefit to man, and
therefore it is meet that God should be served with them, and owned and
praised as the giver of them.
In condescension to the poor, that they might not want an offering for
God, and to shew that God would accept even the meanest services, when
offered with a sincere mind.
These were necessary provisions for the feast which was to be presented
to God, and for the use of the priests, who were to attend upon these
holy ministrations. He shall pour oil - This may note the graces of
the Holy Ghost, which are compared to oil, and anointing with it,(Ps 45:7,1Jo 2:20), and which are necessary to make any
offering acceptable to God. Frankincense - Manifestly designed
Christ's satisfaction and intercession, which is compared to a sweet
odour, (Eph 5:2).
2: He shall take - That priest to whom he brought it, and who is
appointed to offer it. The memorial - That part thus selected and
offered; which is called a memorial, either
to the offerer, who by offering this part is minded, that the whole of
that he brought, and of all which he hath of that kind, is God's to whom
this part was paid as an acknowledgment. Or
to God, whom (to speak after the manner of men) this did put in mind of
his gracious covenant and promises of favour, and acceptance of the
offerer and his offering. A sweet savour unto the Lord - And so are
our spiritual offerings, which are made by the fire of holy love,
particularly that of almsgiving. With such sacrifices God is
well - pleased.
3: Sons - To be eaten by them, (Le 6:16).
Most holy - Or such as were to be eaten only by the priests, and that
only in the holy place near the altar.
4: In the oven - Made in the sanctuary for that use.
6: In pieces - Because part of it was offered to God, and part given
to the priests.
11: No leaven - Namely, in that which is offered of free - will; for
in other offerings it might be used, (Le 7:13, 23:17).
This was forbidden, partly to mind them of their deliverance out of
Egypt, when they were forced thro' haste to bring away their meal or
dough (which was the matter of this oblation) unleavened; partly to signify
what Christ would be, and what they should be, pure and free from all error
in the faith and worship of God, and from all hypocrisy, and malice or
wickedness, all which are signified by leaven.
Nor any honey - Either,
because it hath the same effect with leaven in paste or dough,
making it sour, and swelling. Or,
in opposition to the sacrifices of the Gentiles, in which the
use of honey was most frequent. Or,
to teach us, that God's worship is not to be governed by men's
fancies and appetites but by God's will.
12: Ye may offer them - Or either of them, leaven or honey.
They shall not be burnt - But reserved for the priests.
13: Salt - To signify that incorruption of mind, and sincerity of
grace, which in scripture is signified by salt, (Mk 9:49,Col 4:6),
and which is necessary in all them that would offer an acceptable offering
to God. Or in testimony of that communion which they had with God in
these exercises of worship; salt being the great symbol of friendship in
all nations is called, either,
because it represented the perpetuity of God's covenant with them,
which is designed by salt, (Nu 18:19, 2Chr 13:5). Or,
because it was so particularly required as a condition of their
covenant with God; this being made absolutely necessary in all their
offerings; and as the neglect of sacrifices was a breach of covenant on
their part, so also was the neglect of salt in their sacrifices.
14: First - fruits - Of thine own free - will; for there were other
first - fruits, and that of several sorts, which were prescribed, and the
time, quality, and proportion of them appointed by God.
16: Made by fire - The fire denotes that fervency of spirit, which
ought to be in all our religious services. Holy love is the fire, by which
all our offerings must be made: else they are not of a sweet savour to God.
