03 Leviticus - Peace Offering

Chapter 3 – Peace offering – one without blemish, male or female animal. Keep in mind that Leviticus, or at least chapters 1-3 are about worshipping GOD. In the peace-offering we may see Jesus as the Way; in the meat-offering Jesus as the Truth; in the burnt-offering Jesus as the Life. In this chapter the peace-offering is brought before us in three aspects. Chapter 3 takes us yet another step further in our walk with God. · In the Burnt Offering we desire to be accepted by God into His presence. I want to spend time with God. I hope He will accept me. · In the Grain Offering we gave ourselves back to God who in turn was able to equip us and seal with His Spirit. We have a salt covenant with Him; a permanent, preserved covenant. · Now through the Peace Offering we acknowledge that we have true joy and fulfillment in our lives! In Chapter 3 the Israelites are given instruction on how to properly offer God a peace offering, or an offering of joy. Joy which stems from a relationship with God which is thorough, perfect, or complete. (Leviticus 101, Lunsford) According to Easton’s Bible Dictionary the Peace Offerings were of three kinds, (1) eucharistic or thanksgiving offerings, expressive of gratitude for blessings received; (2) in fulfilment of a vow, but expressive also of thanks for benefits received; and (3) free-will offerings, something spontaneously devoted to God. The animal used: An Ox, a Lamb, and a Goat 1. The Ox (V. 1). As the ox, Christ was strong and patient – 1-5 an offering of the herd 2. The Lamb (V. 7). As the lamb, Christ was meek and gentle – 6-11 an offering of the flock 3. The Goat (V. 12). As the goat, Christ was despised and rejected – 12-17 an offering of a goat Leviticus 3:1 And if his oblation be a sacrifice of peace offering, (It is not a sin offering) The Hebrew word used here as ‘peace’ is shelem, which means a voluntary sacrifice of thanks. If we were to translate the word peace in its fullest sense, we would find an even better understanding. Zebah Shelamin, (which we translate to be ‘sacrifice of peace’) means the sacrifice of unity or completeness! In essence, giving praise to God for His close relationship with man. The word complete means thorough or perfect; lacking no part. It could just as well read – ‘the sacrifice of well-being.’ I want to give this sacrifice back to God because it is well with me, and I am thankful. “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. 2 Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; 3 Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.” Psalm 46:1-3. Thus, we can say, “It is well with my soul.”Or “I have Peace with God” V1 – Without blemish · Male or female, this not an offering for transgressions but rather an offering of thankfulness. V2 – The one making the offering must kill it – you must be a witness to the cost of your sacrifice. V3 – The fat. Cheleb (Hebrew for fat) means, choicestm or best part. Once again, we see that God desires our best. · The bigger the animal the more fat. A larger animal would have been of more value to the owner as well thus considered a greater sacrifice, or at least more worthy (??). · How great is your sacrifice to God? V4 – The kidney might be more important than we think. It is reference much like we reference the heart. The kidney was considered the place from which emotions came. Consider when a person gets butterflies or that when a person gets upset or nervous their stomach gets upset. Ulcers that bleed, diarrhea which leads to dehydration, nerves which leave a person feeling like their life has spun out of control. All of which are felt within the intestinal region of a person’s body. We cannot say with any certainty at all as to why God wanted the kidneys. We can understand that it is the innermost organ. We can understand how it could be construed that our emotions come from there. We can suggestthat God wanted our innermost feelings for Him; our heart if you will. After all is that not what we try to give HIM when we surrender to Him – our heart, though not the organ but the emotion? Psalm 31:9. V. 5 – The peace offering is laid on top of the Burnt Offering, in effect declare that we are at peace with God. Wherein the Burn Offering was offered hoping God would receive it, the Peace offering is offered to acknowledge that we are at peace with God. Aaron and his sons receive the breast and the shoulders of the Peace Offering. One could suggest that these represent the love and strength of Christ. (McGee). See the Personal Worship: It’s about wanting to spend time with God, not about forgiveness of sin. The three offerings, Burnt, Grain, and Peace offering serve as a means of personal worship of God. · The Burnt offering – seeking and acknowledging acceptance of self, from God. God accepts you. o All of it burnt unto God · Grain Offering – acknowledging the Covenant relationship we are in, God and man. o The Priest got to participate, only a handful was burnt unto God. · The Peace Offering – declaring that we are at peace with God and your thankfulness for it. o Here the person gets to participate and eat of the offering (Heiser). It’s a fellowship meal. o Not making Peace with God but rather acknowledging that I have peace with God. The procedures of verses 1-5 are repeated in verses 6-11 for an offering of the flock, a Lamb. The procedures of verses 1-5 & 6-11 are repeated again in verses 12-17 for an offering of a Goat. So, we don’t really need to revisit these. However, some questions do come to mind. If you were to give God a thanksgiving offering, what would it be? How thankful are you and for what are you thankful? READ - Luke 7:40+ Jesus addresses the idea of who would be more thankful… A Picture of the Peace Offering! Just how much do you love Jesus? Close with: Philippians 4:6-7 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. James 1:2-4 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; 3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. 4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. That you too may be able to say, It is well with my soul. C

THE PEACE-OFFERING fellowship through Christ Leviticus 3 In the peace-offering we may see Jesus as the Way; in the meat-offering Jesus as the Truth; in the burnt-offering Jesus as the Life.In this chapter the peace-offering is brought before us in three aspects. 1. The Ox (v. 1). 2. The Lamb (v. 7). 3. The Goat (v. 12). As the ox, Christ was strong and patient; as the lamb, meek and gentle; as the goat, despised and rejected. Or these three offerings may represent three different degrees of appreciation of the offerings of Christ by His believing people. In looking into this offering we notice that— 1. It could be male or female (v. 1). In our fellowship with God there is neither male nor female—all one in Christ. Children of the living God. 2. It must be without blemish before the Lord (v. 1). Whatever man may say or do concerning His Son, God must see no blemish within or without. Even a demon had to confess “Thou are the Holy One of God.” 3. There must be identification. “He shall lay His hand upon the head of the offering” (v. 2). A peace-maker must be worthy of the trust of both parties. The atoning Blood of Christ, shed for all, justifies only those who by faith identify themselves with it (Rom. 5:1). 4. There must be death. “Kill it at the door” (v. 2). If we are saved by His life, it is His life from the dead. The life of Christ before the Cross could not save, it was the evidence of His fitness to be the sinner’s Substitute before God. Without shedding of blood there is no remission. 5. The blood must be sprinkled on the altar (v. 2). The altar signifies the just claims of God. To Him atonement must be made. The propitiation or covering from sin made by the death and resurrection of Christ is wide enough for all. The blood on the altar speaks of God’s acceptance of the offering. 6. This offering was made by fire (v. 3). The fire of God’s judgment has to fall upon it ere peace can come to the erring soul. He suffered for us, the Just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God. In verses 3 to 5 we see that all the choice parts of the offering were laid upon the altar. The affections and energies of Christ were all toward His Father’s glory. 7. It was a sweet savour unto the Lord (v. 5). This does not mean a bare satisfaction, as if only a debt had been paid, but a sweet delight, as one receiving a great gift. God the Father will be glorified through all eternity because of His Son’s obedience unto death (Isa. 42:1). 8. The offerer had a portion of the offering (see chap. 7:34). The breast and the shoulder were taken by the Lord and given back to the offerer. This is most significant. The breast tells us of affection, the shoulder of strength; both are given to us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour. Love and power come to us by His Cross. 9. It could be eaten on the same day as it was offered (chap. 19:5, 6). Peace and soul satisfaction come at once when Christ the peace-offering is truly trusted. Instant faith brings immediate salvation. 10. It was to be eaten till the third day (chap. 19:6). The third day points on to resurrection. We feed on the love and rest in the strength of our glorified Redeemer till the resurrection morn. The breast and the shoulder will suffice us till the day dawns and the shadows flee away, when we shall see Him as He is, and be for ever with Him. Meanwhile be thankful and adore.[1]

Sermon Starters/Study Notes God’s Offer of Peace

The Peace of God brings …

1) Happiness in our Fellowship (vs. 1-2)

2) Health in our Bodies (vs. 3-4)

3) Hope for our Future (vs. 4-5, 17)

Christ promises a peace, which the world cannot give. That peace is found at the point of sacrifice.

1) The Hebrew word for peace means sacrifice of unity or completeness. In what ways has God made you complete?

2) God not only requires our best; He requires ALL of us heart, mind, and body. Have you given God control over the seat of your emotions? If so, how?

3) Part of the peace offering included the fatty lobe attached to the liver. An organ used by pagan religions, which they believed, helped them foresee the future. Name some ways that modern society uses today to help them gauge the future. Are Christians guilty of these also? What does God requiring the kidneys and the fat of the animal offered in sacrifice mean to you? To your church?[2]

[1]Smith, J., & Lee, R. (1971). Handfuls on Purpose for Christian Workers and Bible Students, Series I–XIII(five-volume edition, Vol. 3, pp. 13–15). Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company. [2]Lunsford, J. (2006). Leviticus 101 (p. 33). Reformation Publishers.