The burnt offering was to be wholly consumed on the altar as a symbol of complete surrender and total dedication to God. Unlike other offerings where portions could be eaten by the priests or the offerer, the burnt offering belonged entirely to the Lord.
Leviticus 1:9 says:
“But he shall wash its entrails and its legs with water. And the priest shall burn all on the altar as a burnt sacrifice, an offering made by fire, a sweet aroma to the Lord.”
Nothing was held back because this offering represented absolute devotion and consecration. It was a visible declaration that the worshiper was giving themselves fully to God, holding nothing in reserve.
The continual burnt offering, commanded in Exodus 29:38–39, reinforced this idea:
“Now this is what you shall offer on the altar: two lambs of the first year, day by day continually. One lamb you shall offer in the morning, and the other lamb you shall offer at twilight.”
This complete consumption foreshadowed Christ’s sacrifice, where He gave Himself entirely for our redemption. Ephesians 5:2 says:
“And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.”
The whole burnt offering illustrates that true worship demands full surrender, not partial commitment.
