The cow face article: What we should really be giving to God
- I. M. Koen
- Aug 30
- 5 min read
I’ve read a verse many times in Deuteronomy, and I always flew right by it because it just seemed senseless to me. But I’ve learned that any time something seems weird in the Bible, the problem isn’t with the Bible. It’s with me. Here’s the backstory before I show you the verse.
Deuteronomy chapter 18 talks about the tribe of Levi not being included with the other tribes because they belong to God. They will get no geographic inheritance when the land of Canaan is doled out to the other eleven tribes. But they are to live everywhere, mingled among the people as priests. It’s reminiscent of Christians today. We are priests and ministers for Jesus, sprinkled everywhere.
Moses then instructs the people to give a portion of their sacrifice to God to the priests. But what they get, I never understood.
“And this shall be the priests’ due from the people, from those offering a sacrifice, whether an ox or a sheep: they shall give to the priest the shoulder and the two cheeks and the stomach.” 18:3.
The shoulder, I understand. That is a lot of meat that would smell good, sliced and sizzling on a barbecue grill. But to thank a priest for all his comfort, prayers, service, and ministry by saying: “Here. Take these two cow cheeks as a token of my gratitude. And let me throw in a stomach as a special blessing.” That seemed bizarre to me. And almost offensive.
Although I live in Texas, apparently, I don’t know squat about cattle.
Is a cow cheek a great gift? You bet it is! I discovered there is a surprising amount of good meat on the cheek of a bull (or cow). The cheek muscles are used constantly when the animal chews, so the meat is tough and sinewy if cooked quickly. But when braised or slow-cooked, they become very tender and flavorful.
Modern chefs prize beef cheek for rich stews, barbacoa, and soups. It’s considered a delicacy because of its gelatin-rich texture, like short ribs or oxtail. When simmered, the collagen melts into the broth or sauce. While not the most significant cut, the cheeks are meaty enough to be unbelievably valuable, and in slow cooking, they yield some of the richest meat on the animal.
Giving it to the priest ensured they received something desirable, not scraps. It was a way of honoring the priest with choice portions. Something rare and valuable.
But wait, there’s more. I started looking at cheek offerings through spiritual eyes.
The practical reason is that it was valuable meat. That’s true. But look deeper.
In the ancient Near East, the face of a person or animal was symbolic of honor and dignity. To “give the cheek” meant giving something from the most honored part of the body. It’s sadly why many Muslims demand that women wear niqabs or burkas to hide their faces (honor). By giving the Levitical priests the cheeks of the animal, the people were in effect giving them a share of the animal’s dignity and honor, not just its flesh.
There is a spiritual connection to blessing and speech. The cheek is near the mouth, the organ of speech. Priests were the ones who taught the Torah and blessed Israel with their mouths (Numbers 6:22–27). Some Jewish commentators saw this as a fitting parallel: the people provided the priest with the part near the mouth, and the priest, in turn, used his mouth to pray and bless on their behalf.
It Was The Complete Gift.
The priestly portion or gift was the shoulder (strength/work), the cheeks (speech/blessing), and the maw (inner being/heart condition). Some rabbis explained that these three symbolize giving the priest a share of the whole person: what one does (shoulder), what one says (cheek), and what one is inwardly (maw or stomach lining). The cheek was not just about meat, but about the symbolism of honor, blessing, and wholeness. And it gave the priests a meaningful share of the people’s offerings.
There are symbolic explanations in the Talmud:
Shoulder = action/strength → Priests serve God with their labor.
Cheeks = speech → Priests bless Israel and teach Torah with their mouths.
Maw = inwardness → Priests engage with Israel’s inner life and intercede spiritually.
What part of you does God want? All of you. All three parts.
Christians began to see profound spiritual insight in that peculiar verse.
Origen (3rd century): Saw the priestly gifts as symbols of offering one’s whole self to God’s service.
Shoulder = strength and good works offered to Christ.
Cheeks = speech, confession, prayer, proclamation of the gospel.
Maw (stomach) = the inner being, purified to receive God’s word.
Augustine (4th–5th century): Emphasized that these commands symbolized the support of ministers. Just as Israel gave the priests a share, so Christians should support pastors materially.
Today, the “cheeks” represent our speech as a sacrifice to God. The sacrifice of prayers. The sacrifice of praise. The sacrifice of confession of sin to God and one another. The way we bless and comfort others is an offering to God. Our proclamations of faith in the world of doubt are a treasured gift. The source of our words and songs of worship to God is a sweet savor and a delicacy to our Great High Priest, Jesus.
John saw what our two cheeks can do at the throne of God:
“Then another Angel, carrying a gold censer, came and stood at the Altar. He was given a great quantity of incense so that he could offer up the prayers of all the holy people of God on the Golden Altar before the Throne. Smoke billowed up from the incense-laced prayers of the holy ones, rose before God from the hand of the Angel.” Rev 8: 3–4
Can you see it? I finally do. This is not a gag gift to the tribe of Levi. This is the Torah pointing us to our eternal position on earth and in the spiritual realm. It is a snapshot of our future, as a kingdom of priests. It is a thank-you note from the King of Kings for the daily gifts we give him. He will take our sinewy cheeks and slow cook what we do and say to become a rare and costly delicacy.
A Confession:
I have spent most of my Christian life only offering one cheek to God. Yes, one was given to Him. But the other I kept for this present world. The Bible is clear: we are to offer both cheeks, along with our inner being and the works we do. It’s the complete gift. No parts missing. No assembly required.
That Awkward Party
Have you ever shown up to a gathering that said “no gifts” on the invitation? And then the host says something like: “I know the invitation said no gifts, but I got you a little something”, and then hands you a wrapped box? It feels awkward not to have a gift to give when others do.
Luckily, that will never happen to us spiritually. We always have our words, our works, and our hearts to offer to God freely every day. It’s a gift that makes Him smile. As He receives it, He’ll say, “It’s perfect. Thank you”. And give you a spiritual hug.
I hope you are bringing both cheeks to God and not having one for blessing and the other for cursing. I hope your shoulder is broad and strong from consistent work to make others better. And I hope your inner lining is healthy when brought out into the light. It’s a gift we are required to give to the chosen priests.
Never forget how much you are loved. God believes in you more than you believe in yourself. You and God got this! -Issachar
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