Leviticus
chapter 3 describes the “fellowship
offering”
or peace offering. This offering differs from the burnt offering
(which was to make atonement for sin) in several distinct ways. This
offering was divided between the altar, the priest, and the offered.
It could be male or female, and it was only done AFTER the burnt
offering. This offering was in addition to, as an extra offering,
given along with a prayer need, or as thanksgiving. The peace
offering COULD NOT replace the atonement offering. The chapter
begins, “If
someone’s is offering is a fellowship offering… from the herd…
male or female… present before the Lord… without defect“.
God does not lower His standards ever. In our service, in our
worship in our giving even in our relationships, God desires only our
best. Human nature is that the more power one attains, the more
corrupt he becomes; but by God’s Holy Spirit, the closer we draw to
God, the more we desire to please Him. If we know God’s standards
and accept God’s standards, then we must put His priorities before
our own selfish desires. That is why we must elect leaders that
honor God.
Both
the blood and the fat were offered to God. “The
priests shall sprinkle the blood on the altar on all sides.”
Verse 3 says, “all
the fat that covers the inner parts… burn it on the altar on top of
the burnt offering“.
ON TOP OF, means the atonement MUST come first. Since fat is a
symbol of contentment, rest and fellowship, it is important to note
that we can only have true peace after we have experienced
forgiveness. At the end of the chapter we are told, “You
must not eat any fat or any blood“.
The fat referred to here is the “suet” the fat of the
inner parts. Like the blood, it belongs to God. the importance of
the shedding of blood for the remission of sin is so important that
God does not want us to ever mistake it for anything as common as
food. Hebrews 10:29 tells us we “insult
the Spirit of grace”
when we treat the blood of the covenant as common.
The
fellowship offering can be of a bull, or sheep or goat. The
important thing to remember is the offering was not to MAKE peace
with God, but rather to ENJOY the peace we have with God. In Romans
chapter 8, the wonderful chapter of living out a victorious Christian
life, we are given the source of our peace. “Christ
Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right
hand of God, who intercedes for us“.
Jesus has already won the victory, our part is to simple accept our
portion by faith. If you want peace with God you must accept the
Prince of Peace as Savior. Then we can say in full confidence, “Who
can separate us from the love of Christ?”
Amen!