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Pentecost's Two Leavened Loaves (Part One)

CGG Weekly by David C. Grabbe

The unique offering on the Feast of Weeks (Pentecost) serves as a parable that teaches about the Messiah through the two loaves baked with leaven. The number two signifies that there is another, highlighting a fundamental difference. This difference can be benign, as seen in examples like Paul and Barnabas with their shared testimony, or David and Jonathan in their friendship, where the two are distinct but not opposed. It also appears in the ritual for cleansing leprosy in Leviticus 14, where two clean birds have different roles but a common ceremonial purpose without opposition. However, the number two often progresses beyond simple difference into division, opposition, or hostility, as illustrated by conflicts between God and satan, Cain and Abel, or Jacob and Esau. Frequently, when there are two, one or both desire sovereignty, leading to strife. In this offering, the priest bakes the two wave loaves with leaven, symbolizing corruption, which suggests that the difference between the two may not be benign and could produce division or enmity. This raises the question of how God could accept an offering characterized by carnality.

Two Loaves, Baked with Leaven

Sermonette by David C. Grabbe

The leavening indicates that the wave loaves speak to this life rather than the resurrection. It is accepted by God only because of the other sacrifices.

Pentecost's Two Leavened Loaves (Part Four)

CGG Weekly by David C. Grabbe

The significance of the two loaves in the Pentecost offering embodies the concept of difference among God's servants. These differences, seen in varied approaches and even in striving for preeminence, taint the service and duty to each other, reflecting the leavening within the loaves. Despite such flaws, the High Priest can use these imperfect works because God accepts the leavening alongside Christ's perfect work as Priest and the ultimate representation of the burnt, sin, and peace offerings. In the New Testament Pentecost in Acts 2, these differences are divinely overcome within the church, as the apostles were of one accord and in one place, united in purpose. God's acceptance and the gift of the Holy Spirit, including the gift of languages, overcame significant barriers and fostered unity, reversing the confusion of Babel. Though this unity is not yet perfect, it surpasses what could be achieved alone, demonstrating what is possible when our High Priest makes imperfect labors acceptable to the Father through His own essential contributions.

Pentecost's Two Leavened Loaves (Part Two)

CGG Weekly by David C. Grabbe

In Scripture, the number two signals a difference, often one with incomplete harmony or even outright opposition. The two leavened loaves, central to the Feast of Weeks, carry this significance, highlighted by the curious inclusion of leaven, a symbol of corruption. As a grain offering, these loaves represent the fruit of one's labors from God's bounty, emphasizing devotion to others through service and generosity. This offering, unlike the burnt offering, is not substitutionary but focuses on giving humanity its due, with a portion burned as a memorial to God and the bulk benefiting the priest. The two loaves also bear the designation of firstfruits, symbolizing the early, abundant sample of a harvest, signifying not a completed harvest but one that has begun. This underscores the theme of Pentecost, reflecting a commitment to supporting others, as seen in the instruction to leave gleanings for the poor and the stranger.

The Two Wave Loaves of Pentecost

Sermon by David C. Grabbe

The significance of the number two in the context of the Pentecost offering, particularly with the two leavened loaves, centers on the concept of difference. In biblical usage, two often indicates that there is another, suggesting a distinction or variance. This difference can be benign, as seen in examples like Paul and Barnabas or David and Jonathan, where two individuals share a common testimony or friendship despite their differences. However, the number two frequently progresses beyond mere difference to imply division, opposition, or even hostility, as illustrated by pairs such as God and satan, Abel and Cain, or Jacob and Esau. Often, when there are two, one or both may strive for sovereignty or dominance, leading to strife. In the specific case of the two leavened loaves, which are baked with a symbol of corruption, the idea of difference may not be benign. Differences combined with carnality tend to produce division and enmity. This raises a profound question within the offering: how can God accept loaves characterized by corruption and difference? The drama of this parable lies in the tension of presenting two distinct, leavened objects before a holy God. Moreover, the two loaves reflect ongoing differences among God's servants, as seen in the early church with disputes among the disciples over greatness and later divisions between figures like Peter and Paul or Paul and Barnabas. These differences, often crossing into competition or strife, leaven relationships and mirror the adversary's desire for preeminence. Yet, through the perfect work of Jesus Christ as High Priest, God accepts these imperfect labors. The resolution of this difference is hinted at in the New Testament, where two becomes subsumed into one—one Body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father of all. On Pentecost in Acts 2, the apostles were of one accord, different yet united in purpose, and God's Spirit began to overcome divisions, such as the language barrier of Babel, fostering a unity that, though not yet perfect, surpasses human effort alone. This unity is further challenged by historical and ongoing differences within the church, such as between Jews and Gentiles or in modern doctrinal disagreements, yet the accompanying offerings of Pentecost—burnt, peace, and sin offerings—teach lessons of devotion, fellowship, and humility that help maintain the bond of peace until Christ resolves all differences in His time.

Unsharpened (Part Two)

CGG Weekly by Joseph B. Baity

Have we convinced ourselves that unity of fellowship within our group, our congregation—our spiritual family—is just too hard?

Pentecost's Two Leavened Loaves (Part Three)

CGG Weekly by David C. Grabbe

We may do the right thing toward a neighbor but not do it with the exact, perfect attitude that God does it in. Thus, our 'good' work contains corruption.

The Two Great Commandments: First Principles

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

God made male and female in His image and has determined that the binary metamorphize into unitary in order to accomplish higher Spiritual purposes.

Passover and New Creation

Sermon by Charles Whitaker (1944-2021)

God has a two-phased project, first a separation process, followed by a unification process, in which all will be gathered and unified into Christ.

Reconciliation and Unity

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

It is foolish and pointless to use the same charm, social skills, and duplicity toward God as we use to deceive others and, sadly, even ourselves.

Numbers Don't Lie

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Mike Ford

There are responsible and irresponsible uses of numbers. Only God's numerical patterns are reliable, while all humanly-devised uses of numbers are bogus.