The Calves of our Lips

In his letter to the Hebrews, the apostle Paul used the phrase ‘the fruit of lips’. He wrote, ‘Let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips’. Heb 13:5. At first glance, we could perceive the fruit of our lips to be our song of praise. However, if we limit our thinking to this, we will miss the true depth of Paul’s meaning. What does ‘the fruit of lips’ really mean? For many Christians, the Old Testament is considered secondary in application to the immense teachings of the New Testament. In this month’s ‘On That Note’, we will see how the Old Testament is essential for understanding the language of the New Testament. Our key example will be the phrase, ‘the fruit of lips’.

Throughout the Old Testament, the context in which God met with His people was within the tabernacle established by Moses. It was at the tabernacle that the Israelites would bring and present a diverse range of offerings before God. The first and foremost of these was called the burnt offering. ‘If his offering is a burnt offering… he shall offer it at the doorway of the tent of meeting [tabernacle], that he may be accepted before the LORD. He shall lay his hand on the head of the burnt offering, that it may be accepted for him to make atonement on his behalf.’ Lev 1:3,4. The Israelites were accepted by God through the sacrificing of a young bullock or calf as representative of themselves.

When King David ruled over Israel, we witness a most extraordinary occurrence. David brought the Ark of the Covenant, the centerpiece of the tabernacle, from Gibeon to Jerusalem. The order of animal sacrifice continued at Gibeon. But in addition to this, David instigated a new mode of offering before the Ark of the Covenant in Jerusalem. He wrote to God, ‘Let my prayer be set forth before You as incense, and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.’ Ps 141:2. If we understand the language of the Old Testament, we know the evening sacrifice refers to the burnt offering. David replaced the sacrifice of animals, with the lifting of hands and the singing of song! ‘I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify Him with thanksgiving. This also shall please the LORD better than an ox or bullock that hath horns and hoofs’. Ps 69:30 ,31.

Now Paul’s wording, ‘Let us continually offer a sacrifice of praise’ has tremendous meaning! Paul was writing in Old Testament language, referring to the order of animal sacrifice now replaced by song. Did you know that as we praise God, our song ascends before Him and is counted as the burnt offering representative of our whole lives? What a comforting thought. Our song ascends as the evening sacrifice, rendering us acceptable before God! The prophet Hosea wrote, ‘Take with you words, and turn to the LORD: say unto Him, Take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously: so will we render the calves of our lips.’ Hos 14:2.

Lachlan Perrin

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Feature Articles
April 2008

Nothing is Impossible

The Calves of our Lips

Blind Guides

The Light of the World

Found Worthy

Seven Kingdoms

Christian Business