The rest of the grain offering belongs to Aaron and his sons; it is a most holy part of the food offerings presented to the LORD. – Leviticus 2:3

Today's Scripture Reading (October 30, 2021): Leviticus 2

American Novelist Alice Walker comments that "'Thank you' is the best prayer that anyone could say. I say that one a lot. Thank you expresses extreme gratitude, humility, understanding." Thank you are words that, along with a sincere apology, help us make our way through life. None of us can make it through this life without the help of, and relationships with, others, even though sometimes we appear to believe the opposite. Life is a team sport, and we need each other if we are going to win. That means that people will constantly be doing things, even small things, for which they deserve our thanks, and we will continuously be doing something for which we need to apologize. A sincere "thank you" encourages those who have chosen to journey with us and, as Walker asserts, expresses gratitude for the things that have been done, the humility to admit that we need each other on this trip, and an understanding about where we are on the journey. Even for things for which we are not responsible, apologies remind us that there are moments on this journey for which we should mourn. And both are necessary if the ride is to continue.

There was a series of sacrifices and offerings that Israel was commanded to bring to their God. And one of those offerings was the grain offering. But the grain offering was unique. A portion of the grain offering was burned, and it was believed that the smoke of the sacrifice rose up to heaven where it was received by God, an image that also described how God welcomes our prayers.

But another portion of the grain offering was given to the priests. Because they were God's representatives on earth, they were to receive part of the grain offering for their needs "Because the priests represent God, they have a right to those sacrifices offered to God. The grain offering apparently provided the main source of income for the priesthood" (Mark F. Roker).

Pastor David Guzik instructs that "the emphasis of the grain offering was gratitude. That it was called most holy of the offerings shows the high regard God has of our thankfulness." The grain offering rose up to God as an offering of thankfulness and was extended to the priests who journeyed with the people as an expression of gratitude. And because of that thankfulness, the journey was able to continue.

Paul extends the same promise that was brought by the grain offering to us when he writes, "You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God" (2 Corinthians 9:11). Thanksgiving still flows from all of our actions of generosity; it is a prayer that we offer to God and each other, and, in the process, our journeys get to continue.

Tomorrow's Scripture Reading: Leviticus 3