Leviticus 6:17Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The children of Aaron shall bring it before the Lord unto the altar: and let the priest take with his handful of the grain-offering, and of the flour of wheat, and of the oil, and of all the leaven that is upon the sacrifice, and burn it upon the altar: it is a pleasant savour, a memorial before the Lord: and the rest thereof let Aaron and his children eat the rest thereof: it shall be eaten unleavened in the holy place, in the court of the tabernacle of the congregation, let them eat it: it shall not be baked leavened. These things I give unto them as a portion of My sacrifices. It is a great holy thing, like the sin offering and the sacrifice of obedience. All the male descendants of Aaron may eat it. It is an everlasting portion in your generations of the Lord's sacrifices. Everything that touches it shall be sanctified" (Lev. 6:14-18). The burnt offering represents a complete and perfect dedication of the chosen faithful, while the sacrifice denotes a lesser degree of holiness and a subordinate existence before God, as suggested by the wheat flour, a handful of oil, and the presence of leaven provided by the priest. A life dedicated to God, even if partially, must emit a pleasing aroma infused with the brightest of hopes.

Do you not perceive the sweetness in our virtuous actions? Of course, I do. Then, are not these acts performed with hope? Indeed, they are, as they are accompanied by God's promises. Thus, the leavened wheat flour infused with oil signifies a life that is both fragrant and glorious. Yet what kind of existence can be termed partially holy? It is neither one that reaches the pinnacle of holiness, nor one that walks a lofty path like that of John or the holy Apostles. It also does not derive honor when governed by earthly desires. Would not the lives of those engaged in worldly affairs who choose to conduct themselves commendably be seen as ‘divided’ between God and worldly matters, as expressed by the blessed Paul (1 Cor. 7:33)? Indeed, if it were any other way, how could it be?

Thus, a lifestyle that is not entirely devoted to God, but rather straddles both realms, epitomizes the partial consecration of the fragrant and joyful wheat flour, which is meant to serve as a memorial to the one who presents it through the priesthood. Our offerings, infused with their own fragrance, create a lasting remembrance for God, as Christ intercedes and presents both a wholly sacred offering akin to a burnt offering and a less complete offering due to the divide of worldliness. Each offering must be free from leaven, as our actions should be pure and aim to glorify God. In the same spirit, the Saviour warned against ostentatious prayers in public, gloomy fasts, or showy displays when giving alms (Matthew 6:1, 5, 16); these behaviors corrupt sacred offerings. Actions done for the glory of God should remain untainted by human motives, ensuring their status as truly leavenless and holy.

Furthermore, the remaining portions of the sacrifice are intended as sustenance for the priests. Every male from the offering is to be consumed within the holy place. The consumption of the sacrifices by the priests in this sacred environment deepens the understanding of our significant sacramental expressions. The directive that every male is to be eaten highlights the ugliness and dishonorable nature of being indulgent among God's chosen; such indulgence leads to defilement, spiritual loss, and a disconnect from the blessings granted to the saints. Judas exemplified this, having succumbed to indulgence, which led him away from divine favor and left him estranged from the graces shared among the faithful.