Leviticus Chapter 2

Leviticus 2 — “The Offering of Fine Flour: The Gift of Daily Life Given to God”

Leviticus 1 taught that sinful man approaches God through blood sacrifice.
Leviticus 2 now teaches that redeemed man must also offer his labor and sustenance to God.

The burnt offering dealt with guilt.
The grain offering deals with gratitude.

This chapter teaches one central truth:

Life itself — its work, its food, and its fruit — must be offered back to God in holiness, and this offering is fulfilled in Christ.

1. An Offering Without Blood

“When anyone brings a grain offering to the LORD, his offering shall be of fine flour.” (Lev 2:1)

This offering is different:

• no animal
• no blood
• no death

It represents the fruit of human labor.

St Augustine writes:

“After sacrifice for sin comes sacrifice of praise.”
(City of God)

Typology:

The burnt offering = Christ’s death.
The grain offering = Christ’s life.

Christ does not only die for us —
He lives for us.

2. Fine Flour

(v. 1)

The flour is:

• ground
• refined
• purified

St Jerome comments:

“The flour is made fine by grinding, as Christ’s body was made ready by suffering.”
(Commentary)

Typology:

The wheat must be crushed
before it becomes bread.

So Christ is bruised
to become Bread of Life.

“I am the bread of life.” (John 6:35)

3. Oil Poured Upon It

“And he shall pour oil on it and put frankincense on it.” (v. 1)

Oil signifies:

• the Spirit
• consecration
• joy

St Gregory the Great teaches:

“Oil signifies the grace of the Spirit poured upon the offering.”
(Homilies)

Typology:

Christ is conceived by the Spirit.
Christ is anointed by the Spirit.
Christ offers Himself in the Spirit.

The Church also is offered
only when anointed with grace.

4. Frankincense

(v. 1)

Frankincense rises in fragrance when burned.

St Ambrose writes:

“Prayer ascends like incense when joined to sacrifice.”
(On the Mysteries)

Typology:

Christ’s life is fragrant obedience.
His prayers rise to the Father.

Our works must smell of heaven,
not of pride.

5. A Memorial Portion

“And the priest shall take from it a memorial portion…” (v. 2)

Part is burned.
Part is given to the priest.

St Augustine explains:

“What is offered to God feeds His ministers.”
(City of God)

Typology:

Christ is offered to the Father.
Christ is given to the Church.

The Eucharist fulfills this:
God receives — and we receive.

6. “Most Holy”

(v. 3)

The grain offering is called “most holy.”

St Gregory the Great says:

“Holiness does not depend on blood alone but on obedience.”
(Homilies)

Typology:

Christ’s ordinary life —
His work, His eating, His teaching —
is holy.

Holiness is not only in death,
but in daily bread.

7. Baked Offerings

(vv. 4–7)

The grain may be:

• baked in an oven
• cooked on a griddle
• fried in a pan

Different methods,
same offering.

St Jerome comments:

“Many forms, one sacrifice.”
(Commentary)

Typology:

Christ suffers in many ways:
hunger, fatigue, rejection, death.

The Church suffers in many ways:
persecution, sickness, labor, poverty.

Yet all are one offering
in Christ.

8. Broken in Pieces

(v. 6)

The bread is broken before offering.

St Augustine writes:

“The bread is broken that it may be shared.”
(Sermons)

Typology:

Christ is broken
to be given.

“Take, eat.” (Matt 26:26)

The Cross makes communion possible.

9. No Leaven

“No grain offering… shall be made with leaven.” (v. 11)

Leaven represents corruption and pride.

St Ambrose teaches:

“Leaven is the swelling of sin.”
(On Repentance)

Typology:

Christ is without sin.
His offering is pure.

The Church must remove
the leaven of hypocrisy.

10. No Honey

(v. 11)

Honey symbolizes natural sweetness.

St Gregory the Great says:

“Honey is pleasure without discipline.”
(Homilies)

Typology:

Worship is not emotional indulgence.
It is disciplined love.

Christ’s obedience
is not sentimental —
it is costly.

11. Seasoned With Salt

“You shall season all your grain offerings with salt.” (v. 13)

Salt signifies:

• covenant
• preservation
• truth

St Augustine writes:

“Salt guards from corruption as wisdom guards from sin.”
(Sermons)

Typology:

Christ is the salt of the earth.
His covenant does not decay.

Disciples must preserve the world
by holiness.

12. The Covenant of Salt

(v. 13)

Salt marks permanence.

St Jerome comments:

“Salt endures; so God’s covenant endures.”
(Commentary)

Typology:

The New Covenant in Christ
cannot rot or expire.

The Church is salted
with the Gospel.

13. Firstfruits Offering

(vv. 14–16)

The first of the harvest
belongs to God.

St Ambrose writes:

“God is honored with the first, not the leftovers.”
(On the Duties of the Clergy)

Typology:

Christ is the firstfruits
of the resurrection.

We offer to God
what we are
before we keep what we want.

14. Crushed Grain Again

(v. 14)

The firstfruits are crushed.

St Augustine teaches:

“Fruit is prepared by breaking.”
(Sermons)

Typology:

Glory follows suffering.
Resurrection follows death.

15. The Meaning of the Grain Offering

This offering teaches:

• thanksgiving
• consecration of labor
• holiness of daily life

It says:

My work belongs to God.
My food comes from God.
My life returns to God.

16. Christ and the Grain Offering

Christ fulfills Leviticus 2 as:

• the true Bread from heaven
• the wheat that dies
• the Anointed One
• the fragrant obedience
• the unleavened purity
• the salted covenant
• the firstfruits of resurrection

“I am the living bread.” (John 6:51)

17. The Church and the Grain Offering

In Christ, the Church offers:

• prayer
• labor
• suffering
• daily obedience

St Paul writes:

“Whether you eat or drink, do all to the glory of God.” (1 Cor 10:31)

Our kitchens
become altars.
Our work
becomes worship.

Spiritual Application

Offer God your daily bread.

Let your work be holy.

Remove the leaven of sin.

Be salted with truth.

Give God the first, not the remainder.

Let your life become Eucharistic.

Christ in Leviticus 2

Jesus is:

• the Bread of Life
• the Crushed Grain
• the Anointed Offering
• the Fragrant Obedience
• the Unleavened Purity
• the Covenant of Salt
• the Firstfruits of Heaven

Closing Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ,
true Bread from heaven and gift of the Father,
You were crushed for our salvation
and anointed by the Spirit
as the offering of perfect obedience.

Teach us to offer You
our work, our food, and our days.
Remove the leaven of sin from our hearts.
Season us with the salt of truth and fidelity.
Make our lives a pleasing offering
joined to Your sacrifice,

until the day when earthly bread
gives way to the Bread of heaven
and we feast with You
in the Kingdom of God
forever and ever.

Amen.