Study #16: AYIN

AYIN: THE 16TH LETTER OF THE HEBREW ALPHABET

THE AYIN WORD: OLAH ( BURNT OFFERING )  PART 1

The Burnt Offering (OLAH) was the one sacrifice for sin most acceptable to God as a “sweet smelling aroma” because the whole sacrifice was burnt completely without any leftovers for the Levites – unlike the other offerings in the Old Testament.

It denotes the submission of our whole being ( body, soul and spirit ) unto God. Needless to say, only Jesus was the Perfect Sacrifice – the OLAH – for the Sin of Mankind.

The word OLAH was spelt with an Ayin ( See ), Vav ( the connection ), Lamed ( Ascending ), Hei ( by God’s Grace ). It literally means  “See the rising of the smoke of the Burnt Offering that connects us to the grace of God”.

The Burnt Offering was offered twice a day – in the morning and in the evening. The prophet Malachi gave an unusual prophecy regarding this particular sacrifice:

Malachi 1:11 King James Version (KJV)

11 For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same My Name shall be great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense shall be offered unto My name, and a pure offering: for My Name shall be great among the heathen, saith the Lord of hosts.

Yes, the Gentiles are supposed to offer the Burnt Offering day and night! How is this possible since there is no longer either a Temple or a Levitical Priesthood?

Thankfully we have a great High Priest in our Risen Saviour. And we are called priests of Christ ( Rev. 1:6; 5:10; 20:6 ).

Thus we as the saints of the Most High God can fulfill our priestly duties by serving our Lord “through our twice daily prayer and praise ” ( i.e. continual worship throughout the day ). As Paul wrote:

1 Thessalonians 5:16-23 New King James Version (NKJV)

16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Abba Father, “Let my prayer be set before Thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice” ( Ps.141:2 ). Let all my unceasing prayers be acceptable to You in the Name of Jesus our Lord and Master ( 1 Peter 2:5  ).

1 Peter 2:5 King James Version (KJV)

5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.