Leviticus 3

Leviticus 3:1

C. The Peace Offering (Chap. 3)3:1-15 The peace or fellowship offering (Heb. shelem) celebrated peace with God that was established on the basis of the efficacy of the atoning blood. It was a feast of joy, love, and communion. The offering itself: There were three grades of this offering also: an animal from the herd (oxen or cattle), male or female (vv. 1-5); a lamb from the flock, male or female (vv. 6-11); a goat from the flock, male or female (vv. 12-17). Duties of the offerer: He presented the animal before the LORD at the gate of the court (vv. 1, 2, 7, 12); he laid his hand on the head of the victim (vv. 2, 8, 13); he killed it at the door of the tabernacle (vv. 2, 8, 13); he removed certain portions of the animalthe fat, the kidneys, the whole fat tail, and the fatty lobe attached to the liverto be burned on the altar (vv. 3, 4, 9, 10, 14, 15). Duties of the priests: They sprinkled the blood all around on the altar (vv. 2, 8, 13); they burned the Lord’s portion (the fat, etc.) on top of the burnt sacrifice (v. 5). Distribution of the offering: The Lord’s portion, called the food of the offering made by fire (v. 11), was the fat, the kidneys, the caul, and the fat tail; in Lev_7:32-33 we learn that the officiating priest received the right thigh after it had been first presented as a heave offering; the other priests received the animal’s breast (Lev_7:31). This was first presented as a wave offering before the Lord; the offerer received all the rest (Lev_7:15-21). This is the only offering in which the offerer received a portion. He probably made a feast for his family and friends as a kind of fellowship meal. Thus the offering promoted peace between fellow Israelites within the covenant. The person bringing this offering was expressing his joyful gratitude for the peace he enjoyed in fellowship with Jehovah. A person might also present the peace offering in connection with some vow he was making to the Lord, or in thanksgiving for some special favor. As to its typical (symbolic) meaning, Peter Pell comments: The finished work of Christ in relation to the believer is seen in the peace offering. The Lord Jesus is our peace (Eph_2:14), having made peace through the blood of His cross (Col_1:20). He preached this peace to those who were afar off and to those who were near (Eph_2:17), thus breaking down the middle wall of partition between Jew and Gentile. In Christ, God and the sinner meet in peace; the enmity that was ours is gone. God is propitiated, the sinner is reconciled, and both alike are satisfied with Christ and with what He has done. Lord Adalbert Cecil’s hymn exults in what Christ has done for us: Oh, the peace forever flowing From God’s thoughts of His own Son! Oh, the peace of simply knowing On the cross that all was done. Peace with God! the blood in heaven Speaks of pardon now to me: Peace with God! the Lord is ris’n! Righteousness now counts me free. 3:16, 17 The people of Israel were forbidden to eat fat or blood, since both belonged to the Lord. In addition to its symbolic meaning, this regulation concerning fat was an early form of preventive medicine. Today doctors recommend a reduction in fat intake to reduce the incidence of hypertension, heart disease, strokes, diabetes, and lung disease. These first three offeringsburnt, meal, and peacehad a place in the public worship of the nation, but they could also be brought to the Lord by an individual at any time on a voluntary basis. The next two offerings were commanded to be brought when someone had sinned. Thus we have the twin concepts of voluntary worship and compulsory atonement set forth in the offerings.