The Drink Offering
When Jesus said, “O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt” (Matt.26:39) he was recognizing the significance of the drink offering and what it was about to cost. He was the great fulfillment of this offering. It is first mentioned in the book of Genesis.
And God went up from him in the place where he talked with him. [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. [15] And Jacob called the name of the place where God spake with him, Beth-el. Genesis 35:13-15 KJV
Jacob, when he was advanced in years and had learnt many hard lessons knew what it was to pour out his life for God. This is what the drink offering symbolizes, the pouring out of our lives for God. We are told in scripture that Jesus actually became sin for us.
For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. 2 Corinthians 5:21 KJV
What we are also told in Scripture is that we are to follow in his steps. For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: 1 Peter 2:21 KJV
It was an offering of wine (Lev.23:13) One is reminded of a passage of Scripture which indicates, not only an actual blessing but a promise that God would bring forth “a seed out of Jacob”.
Thus saith the Lord, As the new wine is found in the cluster, and one saith, Destroy it not; for a blessing is in it: so will I do for my servants’ sakes, that I may not destroy them all. [9] And I will bring forth a seed out of Jacob, and out of Judah an inheritor of my mountains: and mine elect shall inherit it, and my servants shall dwell there. Isaiah 65:8-9 KJV If we find ourselves praying but unable to find the peace that we crave we may be entering the realm of the drink offering. This was the experience of Jacob when he struggled with God. So Jacob was left alone, and a Man [came and] wrestled with him until daybreak. Genesis 32:24 AMP The result of this night of wrestling was a wonderful promise. And he said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob. [28] And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed. Genesis 32:27-28 KJV
Although there was a cost to this blessing.
When the man saw that he did not prevail against Jacob, he touched his hip socket, and Jacob’s hip was put out of joint as he wrestled with him. [31] The sun rose upon him as he passed Penuel, limping because of his hip. Genesis 32:25,31 ESV
We are reminded of Pauls experience.
2 Corinthians 12:7-9 ESV So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. [8] Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. [9] But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Paul seems to be suggesting that there is more to the Christian life than we are sometimes taught. Incidentally this is the very antitheses of Calvanism which teaches that everything is pre-ordained. The drink offering teaches us that we can have an effect on eternity. There will be souls in God’s kingdom who will be there, not simply because God ordained it, but because one or more of God’s children have requested it. This gives meaning to the words of Jesus,
Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. [19] Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. [20] For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” Matthew 18:18-20 ESV
Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. [19] Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. [20] For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” Matthew 18:18-20 ESV
And we are reminded of the following statement: “It is a part of God’s plan to grant us, in answer to the prayer of faith, that which He would not bestow did we not thus ask.” The Great Controversy, 525.
Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church, Colossians 1:24 ESV
When we know what it is to pour out our lives in faith and love for God and our fellow man, then we will know the significance of the drink offering. Jesus poured out his life totally for us. He drained the cup fully for us.
Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.Isaiah 53:12 KJV
As the drink offering was always poured on the altar of burnt offering (Numbers 15:10), never on the altar of incense (Exodus 30:9), it always symbolized that which transpires on this earth, both in the life of Christ and our lives. (The reader is directed to the article ‘The Burnt Offering’ on this website) This offering was always offered “by fire” (Numbers 15:10) signifying that it is only through the purifying power of the Holy Spirit that we can surrender so totally to God. Many would be familiar with the painting of Jesus bowed on his knee in the Garden of Gethsemane, with one hand on the ground supporting himself and the other hand clamped to his breast. Perhaps there is nothing that portrays the pathos of the drink offering more than this illustration. Does this also portray the experience of the last generation of Christians who experience total dependance on a loving God? The drink offering is testament to an experience that gives everything and expects nothing.
“Unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for his sake.” Phillipians 1:29
In the book “The Desire of Ages” we read the following: “And of all the gifts that Heaven can bestow upon men, fellowship with Christ in his sufferings is the most weighty trust and the highest honour.” DA p.225
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