The Peace Offering

 Of all the offerings, the sin and trespass offerings are the best known and understood because of their apparent association with Christ's crucifixion for the world's sins. At the other end of the spectrum, the peace offering is the least understood because its symbolism, while easy to grasp, is perhaps the most difficult to experience in actual practice. It is introduced in Leviticus 3:1-5.

 

When his offering is a sacrifice of peace offering, if he offers it of the herd, whether male or female, he shall offer it without blemish before the Lord. And he shall lay his hand on the head of his offering and kill it at the door of the tabernacle of meeting; and Aaron's sons, the priests, shall sprinkle the blood all around on the altar. Then he shall offer from the sacrifice of the Peace offering an offering made by fire to the Lord. The fat that covers the entrails and all the fat on the entrails, the two kidneys and the fat that is on them by the flanks, and the fatty lobe attached to the liver above the kidneys, he shall remove. Aaron's sons shall burn it on the altar upon the burnt sacrifice, which is on the wood that is on fire, as an offering made by fire, a sweet aroma to the Lord.

 

Biblical commentators have given this offering a variety of titles. "Peace," "fellowship," "praise," and "thanksgiving" are the most common. However, one Commentary states that the most correct is "saving offering." Each title shows a somewhat different aspect of the teaching contained in it. Verse 5 informs us that this too is a sweet-savor offering, indicating that no sin is involved in it, and so, it is most satisfying to God. The word "satisfying" is essential to understanding this offering.

 

Verse 5 also shows us an aspect of the ritual that teaches us about this offering's Purpose. It is burnt upon, that is, on top of, the burnt sacrifice, which in turn had the meal offering on top of it. They were not necessarily layered like a sandwich and then all burned at the same time. However, the daily burnt offering was always made first, and it was followed by the meal offering and the peace offering on the same fire.

 

The Peace Offering sets forth a meaning of the sacrifice of Christ distinct from the other offerings. Every offering has a meaning not contained in the other offerings. While it takes all of them to picture the one sacrifice of Christ, no offering duplicates what is meant by the others.

 

A man starts with the Trespass offering, receiving pardon for his transgressions; then the Sin-offering, being cleansed from his inbred sin, and now meets God in the Peace offering, which has no mention of sin nor trespass.

 

Here he enjoys Peace with God through the work of the Lord Jesus Christ. Leviticus 7:11-18, 29-32 provides more information regarding the specific distribution of the various parts of this animal sacrifice:

 

This is the law of the sacrifice of peace offerings which he shall offer to the Lord: If he offers it for a thanksgiving, then he shall offer, with the sacrifice of thanksgiving, unleavened cakes mixed with oil, unleavened wafers anointed with oil, or cakes of finely blended flour mixed with oil. Besides the cakes, as his offering, he shall offer leavened bread with the sacrifice of thanksgiving of his peace offering. And from it, he shall offer one cake from each offering as a heave offering to the Lord. It shall belong to the priest who sprinkles the blood of the peace offering. The flesh of the sacrifice of his peace offering for thanksgiving shall be eaten the same day it is offered. He shall not leave any of it until morning. But if the sacrifice of this offering is a vow or a voluntary offering, it shall be eaten the same day that he offers his sacrifice; but on the next day the remainder of it also may be eaten; the rest of the flesh of the sacrifice on the third day must be burned with fire. And if any of the flesh of the sacrifice of his peace offering is eaten at all on the third day, it shall not be accepted, nor shall it be imputed to him; whoever offers it shall be an abomination, and the person who eats of it shall bear guilt.

 

He who offers the sacrifice of his peace offering to the Lord shall bring his offering to the Lord from the sacrifice of his peace offering. His own hands shall bring the offerings made by fire to the Lord. The fat with the breast he shall get, that the breast may be waved as a wave offering before the Lord. And the priest shall burn the fat on the altar, but the breast shall be Aaron's and his sons'. The right thigh you shall give to the priest as a heave offering from your peace offerings sacrifices.

 

We need to understand the order followed here: The offerer brought his offering to the altar, laid his hand on it, and slew it. The priest sprinkled the blood upon the altar and around it. The animal was then cut up, and God's portion—almost entirely fat, besides the two kidneys—was placed on top of the already burning burnt and meal offerings.

 

Then the priest received the breast and right shoulder for himself and his children, and the offerer received the remainder of the animal to eat. However, it had to be eaten within one day if it was a thank-offering or within two days if it was a vow or voluntary offering. If any remained on the third day, it had to be burned. In this process, the primary teaching of the peace offering is revealed.

 

Recall that the burning on the altar of the sweet-savor offerings pictures God consuming a meal and being satisfied. Likewise, the priest receiving his portion shows him being satisfied, and the offerer with his piece is also satisfied. "Filled," "gratified," "contented," "accepted," "convinced," "supplied," "persuaded," "pleased," and "assured" all capture the intent of the symbolism.

 

Also, since all parties—God, priest, and man—share the same meal and satisfaction, it shows all in peaceful communion or fellowship. Because it was placed in sequence on top of the other two offerings, the peace offering is directly connected to them. So, it depicts the effect of perfect devotion to God and man: peaceful satisfaction and fellowship, the fruit of devotedly keeping the two great commandments of the law.

 

The Use of the Peace Offering should be carefully noted. The word "if" indicates that the offering was optional. It did not need to be offered to get right with God as in the Trespass and Sin offerings. Of this offering, only certain parts were burned on the altar of brass in the Tabernacle court. The part burned indicates God's amount in the offering. This consisted of the fat and inward parts, signifying love for God. The breast and right shoulder went to the priest, as we find in Lev. 7. 31,32. Christians as priests of this age share in the benefits of Christ's love, signified by the breast of the Peace offering, and are borne up by His strength, indicated by the right shoulder. It should be noted the Peace Offering is not mentioned in the New Testament directly by name.

 

After removing and burning the fat and other portions on the altar and giving the breast and shoulder to the priest, the offerer had the remainder for his use.

 

The offerer had been forgiven, sin cleansed, and there is Peace with God. No accusing conscience is here, for there is nothing now of which conscience can accuse. The smile of God is upon the worshipper while he avails himself of the joys at God's right hand, a foretaste of that time when we shall have joy in the presence of God continually.

 

Continuance of Peace is conditioned on continued obedience. The persistence of any sin after being admitted to this fellowship with God will immediately break off the fact of communion.

 

When Jesus forgave people for their sins, He admonished them to go and sin no more. When Jesus was speaking to His disciples the last night He was with them, He said, "If ye love Me, keep My commandments." On this condition, He said He would pray for the Father, and He would give another Comforter, The Comforter, Who baptizes the believer at the time of sanctification, abides on condition of continued obedience, He is not to be grieved, resisted, nor quenched. The number of unhappy Christians we meet indicates how few enjoy the blessing of continual fellowship and communion with God typified by the Peace Offering.

 

Walking in the Light is essential to fellowship with God. John, in his First Epistle, the first chapter dwells on this fact. He says, "truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ." What a great fellowship is that! Yet how few have it or even seek it! Light increases on a Christian's pathway after being regenerated and sanctified and this Light must be walked in if we keep cleansed from all sin.

 

Here is some interesting information.  Meat eaten at a Hebrew meal was a special occassion so this offering was a blessing to the family.  There were strict regulations enforced regarding the slaying of domestic animals for food. These regulations are outlined in Leviticus 17.3-5: "What man soever there be of the house of Israel that killeth an ox, or lamb, or goat, in the camp, or that killeth it out of the camp, and bringeth it not unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, to offer an offering unto the Lord before the tabernacle of the Lord; blood shall be imputed unto that man; he hath shed blood; and that man shall be cut off from among his people: to the end that the children of Israel may bring their sacrifices, which they offer in the open field, even that they may bring them unto the Lord, unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, unto the priest, and offer them for Peace offerings unto the Lord."

 

As earlier stated, the purpose of this offering was to provide food for the priests. But there is another application. When an offerer brought a peace offering to the tabernacle, it was shared with God, represented by what was burned on the altar, the priest, and the offerer. This sharing of the offering meant a fellowship meal. Feasting together is considered one of the most enjoyable manifestations of fellowship between people there is. This offering was the bond and proof of friendship and Peace, and here the Lord, His priests, and the offerer himself all partook of the same offering. They sat down as they were at the same table. In this rite accordingly, the Jew would read a happy assurance of the Divine favor towards him."

 

Joy in God's Presence seems to be symbolized by this instruction. May we not see this restriction as a suggestion that a Christian should not engage in any pleasure in which God cannot participate? We should go no place where we cannot take God. We should not take pleasure in anything of which we would be ashamed in the presence of God. Indeed there is no joy like the joy a Christian has in the presence of God and companionship with other Christians. Read in this connection Psalm 16.11 "In Thy presence is fullness of joy; at Thy right hand there are pleasures always." See also I Cor. 10.21 "Ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table and the table of devils."

Before we can understand what it means to have peace with God, we must recognize that human beings in our natural state are enemies of God. Because we inherited a sin nature from our first parents, Adam and Eve (Gen. 3; Rom. 5:12), we are born with a disposition to please ourselves and be our gods. That rebellious nature sets us at odds with our perfect Creator. His just nature cannot overlook our sin; justice demands punishment (Romans 3:23; 6:23). We cannot create peace with God because our best day's best efforts are nothing but filthy rags compared to His holiness (Isaiah 64:6). So, in our sinful state, we cannot be reconciled; we cannot have peace with God, no matter how hard we try.

God took the initiative in pursuing Peace with us by sending His Son to earth. Jesus lived a perfect life, His crucifixion paid for the sins of all who would trust in Him (Hebrews 4:15; 2 Corinthians 5:21), and His resurrection guarantees our justification before God (Romans 4:25). Jesus is the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6), and He is the One who gives us peace with God. That's why the message of salvation in Christ is called the "gospel of peace" (Ephesians 6:15).

The angels' words to the shepherds on that first Christmas were "Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased" (Luke 2:14). To whom is God pleased? God's pleasure and peace rest upon those who receive God's Son by faith (John 1:12). "Since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Romans 5:1). Peace with God means that our outstanding sin debt has been paid, and God sees us as righteous (Colossians 2:14; Romans 3:22). We are no longer enemies but beloved children (1 John 3:2). His holy nature can have fellowship with us because He sees us "in Christ."

 

If you do not have peace with God, He has provided the means for you to come to Him and have fellowship with Him.  You need only to accept the invitation to bring your sins to the Cross and transfer your sins to the Lamb of God which takes away the sin of the world.  Allow the Holy Spirit to cleanse your heart from the nature of sin and find peace with God.  You will be free from the guilt of sin.  There is now no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus who walk not after the flesh but the Spirit.