In Leviticus chapter seven, verse thirty, the wave offering was the priest’s portion of the peace offering. The hand or hands waved toward the sanctuary are a sign of dedication to God in those Old Testament days. The wave activity repeats toward the offerer or priest. This action indicates that the Lord was now putting the offering at their disposal. However, offerings in the Old Testament were associated with regular sacrificing of animals that were a part of the people giving to God.
The first wave offering appears in Exodus chapter twenty-nine, verse twenty-four, where God speaks to Moses instructing him concerning the offerings of the tabernacle, which starts in Exodus chapter twenty-five. He tells him to put all the wave offerings into Aaron’s hands and his son’s hands to wave them as a wave offering before the Lord. Other notables are in Numbers chapter eighteen verse eleven, where God instructs Aaron of the duties of the priests, which he was in the Old Testament, to perform the wave offerings on behalf of the children of Israel. The responsibility of carrying out the instructions by God regarding wave offerings was important. Regular activity of the wave offering at the appointed time was a sign of dedication to God.
In the New Testament, Christ became our sacrifice for potential believers to receive salvation. Therefore, the only requirement to God is to give a portion of our tithes and offerings. In the book of Malachi, chapter three, verses eight to ten, this offering is a token of appreciation and obedience to His Word. The wave offering for believers today is to praise, worship with thanksgiving, and glorify God with our hands high. This sign of gratitude to a Mighty God who inhabits this activity and welcomes Him to us.