Dictionary of Bible Themes Dictionary of Bible Themes » 7000 God's people » 7300 Institutions and culture of OT » 7402 offerings Anything offered up to God by human beings, including sacrificial offerings. A distinction can be made between offerings which involve the taking of life and other gifts made to God. Sacrificial offerings as a sign of gratitude or repentance Tithes were a regular form of offering Genesis 28:20-22; Leviticus 27:30 See also Genesis 14:20 Part of every harvest was given as a freewill offering to God As firstfruits: Exodus 22:29; Numbers 18:12; Deuteronomy 18:4; Nehemiah 10:35 Leviticus 19:23-25 Fruit from a tree could not be eaten until the fifth year; Leviticus 23:38 Extra gifts were offered on the Sabbath. Offerings and the tabernacle For its construction At its dedication See also Numbers 7:2-3 Offerings and Solomon's temple David's personal gift Offerings for upkeep and restoration In the reign of Joash: 2 Kings 12:4-5; 2 Chronicles 24:8-12 In the reign of Josiah: 2 Kings 22:4-6 pp 2 Chronicles 34:9-11 Offerings and the second temple Ezra 3:5; Ezra 7:16; Ezra 8:24-30 Offerings and Herod's temple Mark 12:41-43 pp Luke 21:1-3 The poor widow was participating in a regular practice; Luke 21:5 Some offerings are not acceptable Matthew 5:23-24 Offerings are unacceptable unless the worshipper is reconciled to God. See also Genesis 4:3-5 Cain's offering was not accepted on account of his incorrect attitude. Boasting about offerings makes them unacceptable: Amos 4:4-5; Luke 18:12 Matthew 23:23 pp Luke 11:42 Meticulous tithing, without mercy or justice, is unacceptable. Offerings in the future kingdom From the Gentile nations Psalm 76:11; Isaiah 18:7; Malachi 1:11 From God's people Gifts and offerings in the NT To help the needy Acts 4:34-35; Acts 11:29-30; 1 Corinthians 16:1-4 In several of his letters Paul mentions the freewill offering he was organising for poor Christians at Jerusalem; Hebrews 13:16 To support God's servants Offerings of praise God's people are themselves an offering to God Jeremiah 2:3; James 1:18; Revelation 14:4 Offerings as “Corban” Mark 7:9-13 “Corban” is a technical Jewish religious term, meaning “something dedicated, especially on oath”. What Jesus Christ says implies that once the children had donated the amount they would have spent on their ageing parents for religious purposes, they were no longer responsible for their upkeep. See also
4442 firstfruits |
  |