Bible Commentaries
Leviticus 3

Verses 1-17

1. Intro:
   1. We continue in looking at the Priests 5 Offerings!
      1. Burnt(Dedication “I surrender all”), Grain(Sinless Service, fine flour, 1^st fruits), Peace(Fellowship), Sin, Trespass.
      2. The 5 types of Offerings all depict a different characteristic of Jesus Christ,…the ultimate sacrifice!
      3. There is not one offering that gives a complete view of Christ. It is only by putting all 5 together which make up the whole of the picture of redemption.
   2. Religion is man’s attempt to make peace with God on his own terms.
   3. Redemption is God’s offer of peace through Jesus Christ.
      1. This peace only comes through “the blood of the cross”.
      2. Col.1:20 “…and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.”
2. THE PEACE OFFERING! (1-17)
   1. WHAT IT IS?
      1. Peace offering or Fellowship offering/Thank Offering – (shelamim from shalom)
         1. Applied to those sacrifices that concluded with a sacrificial meal.
      2. It symbolized reconciliation, as shown in the fellowship of eating.
         1. Fellowship is the highest point of Christian privilege!
            1. Haiti Pastors Conf. – Kill a goat, or a chicken, then put on a meal for us.
            2. Today we say, “let’s do lunch”, “Meet you at Starbucks”.
            3. I’ve had a dinner where Kelly & I had to walk away from it, when fellowship was broken.
            4. I’ve tried to mend relationship by saying lets do breakfast.
         2. Eating is always an element in a covenant. (One today? - communion)
      3. The Peace offering existed before the time of Moses.
         1. Gen.31:54 “Then Jacob offered a sacrifice on the mountain, and called his brethren to eat bread. And they ate bread and stayed all night on the mountain.”
         2. Ex.32:6 “Then they rose early on the next day, offered burnt offerings, and brought peace offerings; and the people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.”
      4. Peace – Is.26:3 “You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.”
         1. Peace means ‘the war is over”! (we were enemies)
         2. Peace is “the Peace of mind that’s rested in Christ”. (it’s inner peace)
         3. Peace rests not on your frames of feelings, but on His finished work.
         4. You must know the God of peace before you can know the peace of God.
            1. 1 Thes.5:23 “Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
            2. Col.3:15 “…let the peace of God rule in your hearts,”
            3. Phil.4:7 “…the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
      5. 2 Paintings of peace – (1) a picture of a serene scene w/still water everything tranquil in it. (2) a scene of a crashing waterfall, very turbulent water, but at the base, off to the side, in the tall grass, sleeps a little bird with its head under its wing. [#2 won}
         1. Haiti dog - curled up in the grass amidst the med clinic, cars driving in, wind blowing, 250 Haitians.
      6. It is peace in the midst of turmoil, trouble, conflict. – It’s Jesus asleep in the boat amidst the storm. – Its Peter asleep in jail the day before what looks to be his imminent death.
      7. It’s having peace when we don’t know who will be our next president?
         1. It is a good reminder our savior will never show up on Air-Force-1
      8. It is a peace “not as the world gives”: [1] By changing the circumstances. [2] By trying to forget them & run away from them(vacation, drugs, drinking) [3] By blaming his circumstance on someone else.
      9. My peace I give you – He gives it within. Not based on circumstances.
   2. DISTINCTIONS?
      1. Female? - Not permitted for other animal sacrifices.
      2. Some Defects? – It could have some defects & still be accepted.
         1. The exception was the Vow offering, it had to be w/o blemish.
      3. Shared w/Worshippers? – A large portion went to the priests; the rest went to the offerer & his family & friends.
      4. Q: Why was it ok for this sacrifice to be a female or to have a blemish?
         1. It was basically going to be used for the priest, & the offerer’s family, therefore the defects wouldn’t matter.
   3. ITS TYPES?
      1. Thank Offering – To express gratitude for an unexpected blessing or deliverance.
         1. What other ways can we show thanks today for an unexpected blessing? (If a financial blessing we might tithe part of it, or send it to a missionary)
      2. Vow/Votive Offering – To express gratitude for a blessing or deliverance granted when a vow had accompanied the petition.
         1. When God answered your prayer.
         2. Like Hannah, when her prayer was answered, immediately she “rose early in the morning and worshiped before the LORD”.
      3. Freewill Offering - To express gratitude to God w/o regard to any specific blessing or deliverance.
         1. Thanks just because! Thanks for just being you.
         2. 1 Chron.29:13 "Now therefore, our God, We thank You And praise Your glorious name.”
         3. I like vs.14 also, “But who am I, and who are my people, That we should be able to offer so willingly as this? For all things come from You, And of Your own(hand) we have given You.”
   4. ITS PORTIONS?
      1. There were 3 portions:
         1. [1] One consumed by Fire – Indicating Gods acceptance & participation.
            1. See vs.16 – “All the fat is the Lord’s”! (not an excuse to be over weight)
            2. The fat was esteemed the “richest & best” part of the animal.
            3. Also “the whole fat tail” – (9) Possibly referring to a special breed of sheep.
               1. One commentary said that one breed of Syrian sheep had tails that weighed as much as 15 lbs. (this included the fat & marrow from which the tail hung)
         2. [2] One consumed by the Priests –
            1. The Breast – (wave offering/waved to & fro. Lev.7:30-32)
            2. The Right Thigh – (heave offering = presented/contribution)
            3. Breast(love/affection) – John leaning on Jesus breast.
            4. Thigh(power/strength) – “And He has on His robe and on Histhigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.”
            5. “It is the privilege of all true believers to feed upon the affections of Christ – the changeless love of that heart which beatsw/deathless & changeless love for them.” (CHM)
         3. [3] One consumed by the offerer –
            1. By him & his family & friends.
      2. Note - The Peace offering was always preceded by the burnt offering, which were offered daily.
         1. The fat portions were placed on the already burning Burnt Offering.
   5. APPLICATIONS?
      1. Jesus à Jesus is our Peace-Offering having made reconciliation.
         1. Col.1:20 “…and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.”
      2. Us à Our appropriation of Christ & participation in His sacrificial work brings peace to us.
         1. Rom.5:1 “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,”
      3. On the cross Jesus purchased Reconciliation w/God; Peace w/God; & Fellowship w/God.
      4. At the dedication of Solomon’s temple Solomon sacrificed 142,000 peace offerings & the people feasted for 2 weeks.
         1. 1 Kings 8:62-66
      5. In the East, to eat with people is to make them your friends & allies.
         1. The Lords supper is to show the unity of Gods family.
      6. The Peace Offering meant more than enjoyment of good food & fellowship w/loved ones.
         1. It was also an expression of Joyful Thanksgiving as the worshipper was “at Peace w/God” & “in communion w/God”.
      7. Today instead of bringing animal sacrifices we can still bring:
         1. The Sacrifice of Thanksgiving – Ps.116:17 “I will offer to You the sacrifice of thanksgiving, And will call upon the name of the LORD.”
         2. The Sacrifice of Praise – Heb.13:15 “Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.”
         3. They should be offered from a pure heart that are grateful for His Mercies!
      8. 7:17,18 deals with not getting to far from the sacrifice & the fellowship meal. They should not be separated.
   6. You must know the God of peace before you can know the peace of God.
      1. Is.26:3 “You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.”