The Libation

– Pastor Rusty – Aug. 7th, 2026

“With each lamb for the burnt offering or the sacrifice, prepare a quarter of a hin of wine as a drink offering.” Num. 15:5

One of the unheralded responsibilities of the priesthood was the offering of libations (drink offerings to the LORD). These were required with burnt offering, peace offerings and grain offerings. The people were to bring their best wine for these offerings. (Num. 18:12). The priest would mix their wine and pour these out before the LORD as a Holy Offering in worship. I’m not sure what mixture was used in the the process of the libation (if it was a mixed wine or pure) but about 30 oz were used in this particular offering. It varied in other offerings up to about a gallon of wine per libation. I’ve seen in the throes of worship a similar action coming from the believer, that through extravagant worship we are pouring out libations unto the Lord Jesus. But these libations are unique to the believer offering them. They all have personal elements that are in the libation of worship that is being poured out unto the Lord. They are a “mixed wine” that is personalized by the heart and spirit of the individual believer. Heaven hears a different sound coming from each vessel that only that vessel can make by the nature of the “shaping” of the Lord. Like every shofar has a unique sound (though subtle) because of its’ shape or fluting. Each and every believer releases a unique sound based on time and life experiences used in the shaping of the vessel. Like an old Martin guitar that gets sweeter with time because of the aging of the wood. The longer you walk with Him, the sound of the praise coming out of your spirit man is altered with every season and trial by fire 🔥.

Pain in the Cup

When we worship God through our pain it indeed has a sharpening effect on our spirit. Our spirit man is eternally altered.

My wife and I made a trip to California several years back. We joined Papa Jack Taylor with about twenty of his spiritual sons and daughters out at Bethel Church in Redding for Bill and Bennie’s 20 year anniversary at Bethel. On one afternoon we all went for a ride up to a mountain lake for fellowship and fun. On the ride out Belinda and I jumped into a suv with three brothers we barely knew. The ride was special as we all began to share familial hardships that was a common thread with us all. Belinda and I shared the loss of our firstborn son with them and the trail by fire that ensued. This was over eight years ago. Since then, everyone of these men have buried their firstborn son. We have grieved with them and prayed with them through their heartache. Your spiritual dna is altered in seasons like this. Your libations have pain in the cup, but God is able to establish a greater reality of heaven and a closeness to bring hope, help, and healing. Your spirit man is altered so that in worship a different sound is released. “Oh, death where is your sting? Oh, grave where is your victory?” Becomes your battle cry!

“The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me,

because the LORD has anointed me

to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,

to proclaim liberty to the captives,

and the opening of the prison to those who are bound;

to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor,

and the day of vengeance of our God;

to comfort all who mourn.” Isa. 61:1-2

Pastor Rusty

Image created by Belinda with AI