Ver. 1. Of fine flour.] No quantity is here prescribed, because it was a freewill offering: only it must be fine, no bran in it: to show the purity of Christ’s sacrifice, (Hebrews 7:26) and of our services through him, (Malachi 3:11) by means of the oil of his Spirit and incense of his intercession.
Ver. 2. Shall burn the memorial of it.] Whereby God was reminded, as it were, of the party offering, and acknowledging all his store to be from God.
Ver. 3. Shall be Aaron’s and his sons’.] As meat for them. Hence it was called a meat offering; and sent them to Christ, the meat that endureth unto life everlasting. (John 6:27)
Ver. 4. Unleavened cake of fine flour mingled with oil.] Sincerity is the mother of serenity; truth, of tranquillity.
Ver. 5. Baken in a pan.] Afterwards parted in pieces, and oil poured upon it: signifying the graces of God’s Spirit wherewith Christ was fully anointed within and without, (Psalms 45:8) and wherewith we should be tempered and anointed. (1 John 2:27 2 Corinthians 1:21)
Ver. 6. And pour oil thereon.] Jacob was the first we read of that consecrated his offerings with oil. (Genesis 28:18) Probably he had it from his predecessors.
Ver. 7. Baken in the frying pan.] So, My heart is frying of a good matter, saith David. (Psalms 45:1)
Ver. 8. He shall bring it unto the altar.] God would have all their offerings brought to one altar; both to figure out the one only all sufficient sacririce of Christ, and to teach all the faithful to consent in one and the same truth of the gospel.
Ver. 9. A memorial thereof.] Signifying the perpetual benefit of Christ’s death to all believers.
Ver. 10. Shall be Aaron’s and his sons’.] Ministers’ maintenance.
Ver. 11. Nor any honey.] Which hath a leavening virtue in it. Sweet sins are to be abandoned there will be bitterness in the end. (Proverbs 26:26,27)
Ver. 12. Ye shall offer them,] i.e., With the firstfruits ye shall offer both leaven (Leviticus 23:17) and honey. (2 Chronicles 31:5) Both which are sometimes taken in the better part. (Matthew 13:33 Song of Solomon 4:11)
Ver. 13. Shalt thou season with salt.] Called here the salt of God’s covenant; as signifying the covenant of God made with us in Christ, who seasoneth us, and makes all our services savoury. See the note on Mark 9:49,50.
Ver. 14. Green ears of corn.] To signify that God should be served with the firstfruits of our age, the primrose of our childhood.
Ver. 15. And thou shalt put oil upon it.] Signifying the graces of God in Christ and his members, and the sweet odour of his oblation for us.
Ver. 16. The memorial of it,] i.e., The thing offered for a memorial.