05/07/2014 THE DRINK
Genesis 35:14 And Jacob set up a pillar in the place where he talked with HIM, even a pillar of stone: and he poured a drink offering thereon, and he poured oil thereon. And Jacob called the name of the place where GOD spake with him, Beth-el. [King James translation]
Numbers 6:17 And he shall offer the ram for a sacrifice of peace offerings unto the LORD, with the basket of unleavened bread: the priest shall offer also his meat offering, and his drink offering. [King James translation]
John 7:37 On the last day, the climax of the holidays, JESUS shouted to the crowds, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to ME and drink." [Living Bible translation.]
2 Timothy 4:6 For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness....
[New International translation]
Summary:
One of the first recorded occurrences of a drink offering was when GOD appeared to Jacob, blessed him and changed his name to Israel. Jacob called the place where GOD met him and communed with him, Bethel, meaning "house of GOD." Then, Jacob built a stone alter and worshipped GOD, and poured out a drink offering to GOD.
The drink offering became a part of the Israelite worship service. In addition to the burnt grain offering or animal sacrifice of the ram, the drink offering, along with oil, was made to GOD with other offerings. It was part of the service to GOD.
When JESUS offered HIMSELF as a living sacrifice to GOD, HE also became our "drink offering." In John 7.37, HE invites everyone to drink of HIM. At the Passover supper, it is written that: HE took a cup and giving thanks for it gave it to HIS disciples and instructed them (and us) to "drink" for "this is MY BLOOD," symbolic of HIS drink offering "HIS SACRIFICIAL BLOOD," which HE would soon shed for us. HE asked us to commemorate HIS DRINK OFFERING by taking communion with one another and in our worship service to GOD, in remembrance of HIM (JESUS). Our communion is to be symbolic of our recognition of HIM, our worship of GOD, our fellowship with each other and the repentance of our sins, which we were to acknowledge [to GOD] through self-examination during our communion worship. The drink is in remembrance, to worship and, like the Israelites, the drink offering is a symbolic request for forgiveness of our sins.
In 2 Timothy 4:6, Paul reminds us that all disciples of CHRIST must become like HIM, a "sacrificial offering" or a "drink offering" to GOD with our very lives. Paul cannot BE HIM, but we must all strive to be like HIM, pouring ourselves out to HIM daily, with the guidance, direction and help of HIS HOLY SPIRIT, in us. Our lives are not our own.