Offerings

In the biblical context, offerings are acts of worship and devotion to God, often involving the presentation of gifts or sacrifices. The concept of offerings is deeply rooted in the Old Testament, where they serve as a means for the Israelites to express gratitude, seek atonement, and maintain a covenant relationship with God.

1. Types of Offerings: The Old Testament outlines various types of offerings, each with specific purposes and regulations. These include burnt offerings, grain offerings, peace offerings, sin offerings, and guilt offerings (Leviticus 1-7). Each type of offering had distinct requirements regarding the animals or materials used, the manner of presentation, and the role of the priests.

2. Burnt Offerings: These were entirely consumed by fire on the altar, symbolizing complete surrender to God. "If the offering is a burnt offering from the herd, he is to offer a male without blemish. He must present it at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting, so that it may be accepted on his behalf before the LORD" (Leviticus 1:3).

3. Grain Offerings: These were offerings of fine flour, oil, and frankincense, representing the fruits of human labor and dedication to God. "When anyone presents a grain offering to the LORD, his offering must consist of fine flour. He is to pour olive oil on it, put frankincense on it" (Leviticus 2:1).

4. Peace Offerings: Also known as fellowship offerings, these were shared between the offerer, the priests, and God, symbolizing reconciliation and communion. "If he offers it as a peace offering to the LORD, he is to present an animal from the herd, male or female, without blemish" (Leviticus 3:1).

5. Sin and Guilt Offerings: These offerings were made to atone for unintentional sins and transgressions against God's commandments. "If someone sins unintentionally in any of the LORD’s commandments and does what is forbidden, he is guilty" (Leviticus 4:2).

6. New Testament Perspective: In the New Testament, the concept of offerings is transformed through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who is seen as the ultimate offering for sin. "But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, He sat down at the right hand of God" (Hebrews 10:12). Believers are encouraged to offer themselves as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God (Romans 12:1).

Incense

Incense in the Bible is closely associated with worship and prayer, symbolizing the prayers of the faithful ascending to God. It is often mentioned in conjunction with offerings and is a significant element in the liturgical practices of the Israelites.

1. Composition and Use: The incense used in the Tabernacle and Temple was a specific blend of spices, as commanded by God. "Take fragrant spices—gum resin, onycha, and galbanum—and pure frankincense, all in equal measures, and make a fragrant blend of incense, the work of a perfumer, seasoned with salt, pure and holy" (Exodus 30:34-35).

2. Symbolism: Incense represents the prayers and intercessions of the people. In the Psalms, David writes, "May my prayer be set before You like incense, my uplifted hands like the evening offering" (Psalm 141:2).

3. Priestly Role: The priests were responsible for burning incense on the altar of incense, located in the Holy Place of the Tabernacle and later the Temple. This act was performed daily, signifying continual prayer and worship. "Aaron must burn fragrant incense on it every morning when he tends the lamps" (Exodus 30:7).

4. New Testament Imagery: In the Book of Revelation, incense is depicted as the prayers of the saints. "And the smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of the saints, rose up before God from the hand of the angel" (Revelation 8:4).

5. Spiritual Application: Incense serves as a reminder of the importance of prayer and the believer's relationship with God. It emphasizes the need for purity and devotion in worship, as well as the intercessory role of Christ, who mediates on behalf of humanity.

Offerings and incense, therefore, are integral to understanding the biblical framework of worship, sacrifice, and prayer, reflecting the covenant relationship between God and His people.