In Philippians 2:17 Paul writes, “Yes, and if I am being poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all.” Trained under Gamaliel as a Pharisee of Pharisees, Paul knew all about the Old Covenant sacrificial system. As a Gentile, almost 2,000 years removed from such a system, I have to ask: what is a “drink offering” and why does Paul compare himself to it?
The first mention of a drink offering is in Genesis 35:14 when “Jacob set up a pillar in the place where He [God] talked with him, a pillar of stone; and he poured a drink offering on it, and he poured oil on it.” This is the place where God spoke with Jacob and changed his name to Israel.
The drink offering wasn’t a sacrificial offering, itself, but an offering that accompanied the sacrificial burnt or grain offerings. Wine was poured out upon the altar along with the sacrifice “as a sweet aroma to the Lord (Numbers 15:3).” Unlike the animal or grain sacrifices that could be consumed in part by priests or worshippers, the drink offering was completely poured out to God.
When comparing the drink offering to a person, it is symbolic of the complete devotion, joy, and surrender of the worshipper. It represents the pouring out of one’s life in service to God.
Understanding the meaning of a drink offering helps us to appreciate Paul’s words with more impact. Like the burnt or grain offering, the Philippians faith represents the main sacrifice, while Paul’s faithful service to Christ and the church is the poured-out offering on top of theirs.
Again, like the drink offering, Paul’s comparison means total surrender and service to God. Once offered it is completely consumed. He uses this imagery to describe his life as being “poured out” for the sake of the Gospel. As an offering, his life is a gift for the service of others. In context, those “others” are the brothers and sisters at the church in Philippi.
Imagery of the drink offering as a personal sacrifice has been included in faith-based songs. Song number 655 in our songbook is a clear example. Consider the question the first verse asks of us as we sing: “Would you be poured out like wine upon the altar for Me? Would you be broken like bread to feed the hungry? Would you be so one with Me that you would do just as I will; Would you be light and life and love My Word fulfilled?” The “Me” and “My” in this verse is Christ. The “you” is you and me. How would you answer the questions?
The songwriter crafted an answer for us to sing: “Yes, I’ll be poured out like wine upon the altar for You? Yes, I’ll be broken like bread to feed the hungry? Yes, I’ll be so one with You that I would do just as You will; Yes, I’ll be light and life and love Your Word fulfilled?” The “You” in this verse is Christ. As we sing it the “I” is you and me.
Prayerfully, like the Apostle Paul, we all are willing to be poured out as a drink offering in sacrifice and service to Jesus Christ and His church.
