Leviticus 2 and 6:14-18 are devoted to the Grain Offering. It was an offering of praise to God and had the special purpose of providing food for the priests on duty. Along with the peace and sin offerings, it was eaten each day. The priest on duty was only required to burn a portion of the grain. “The priest on duty will take from the grain offering a handful of the choice flour moistened with olive oil, together with all the frankincense. He will burn this representative portion on the altar as a pleasing aroma to the Lord. Aaron and his sons may eat the rest of the flour, but it must be baked without yeast and eaten in the sacred place within the courtyard of the Tabernacle.” Lev. 6:15-16 (NLT).
The purpose of this offering was for the people to praise God for His blessings on their lives. In Exodus 20, the people had given up their right to a special relationship with God so God chose the tribe of Levi and set them apart from the rest of Israel without any land except for special towns with their pasture lands. Because they could not farm to earn a living, they were given portions of the sacrifices as part of their income. God had told them He would be their portion instead of a portion of the land; they were His special people to serve Him by not only working at the tabernacle but also as scribes and teachers explaining the Word of God to the people.
The priests were to serve the people until Christ came. “Here is the main point: We have a High Priest who sat down in the place of honor beside the throne of the majestic God in heaven. There He ministers in the heavenly Tabernacle, the true place of worship that was built by the Lord and not by human hands.” Hebrews 8:1-2 (NLT).