In verses 22-27, the Lord reiterates to Moses what he has already emphasized through chapters 1-7. The fat offering belongs to the Lord, and blood should not be eaten. The fat offering included the best part of the meat. The blood has life in it. The person who freely offered the fat offering was offering his best to the Lord. The one who refrained from eating blood acknowledged that life comes from the Lord. A person with real faith is willing to offer the best to God and sees God as the Author and Creator of Life. As Abraham obeyed God to sacrifice his son Isaac (Gen 22), we offer our best, acknowledging all life belongs to God.

In verses 28-38, the Lord commands the people to give the most delicious part of the offering, the wing and the thigh to the priests as their portion. The priests wave them in the air (hence, the name the wave offering) as a sign of being offered to God, and then the priests were entitled to eat them. Likewise, in our time, tithes and offerings are for the ministry of the word. Believers should give gladly and generously to support the ministry leaders who serve our spiritual needs as of utmost importance. Sharing freely reveals our faith and sense of grace.


Application: Father, thank you for saving my life through Jesus. I freely offer to you my best and my life. May you use my offerings to further your life-saving work here and abroad through the ministry of your word.
One Word: Offer my best and my life to God; share generously for the ministry of the word