Leviticus Chapter 3
The peace offering held a different purpose than the burnt offering. The burnt offering was a dedication of one’s life to God recognizing that man is a sinner and he needs to submit one’s whole life to God who is holy. The peace offering was representative of a person who sought a petition with God or wanted to offer praise to God for the peace that exists between God and His people.
The sacrifice that was given to make peace with God is discussed in the next chapter; it is the sin offering. The peace sacrifice was a recognition of the joy that is shared between God and man which exists because of the peace He offers.
Let's Reflect
1. The person offering the sacrifice would put his hand on the animal. What do you think this signifies?
2. What gender could the animal be for the peace offering?
3. There was a concerted effort to burn all of the fat and the blood from the animal in this sacrifice to God. There was a special instruction regarding the fat and the blood that was to be passed down to future generations. What was the instruction?
4. Again, the animal chosen for this sacrifice was to be without blemish. To be without blemish symbolized that they needed a sinless sacrifice. It also symbolized that we give our best to God and it symbolized a need for a future perfect sacrifice. The perfect sacrifice that would come later, is Jesus. I Peter 1:18a-19 Knowing that you were ransomed…but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. What does it mean to you to read that Jesus was like a lamb that was sacrificed?
5. The rest of the meat of the peace offering was shared between the priests and the one who offered the animal. There is literally a sharing of a meal with God and His representatives, the priests in this offering called a peace offering. Do you think of fellowshipping with God when you sit down to the table to eat? God wants us to enjoy the peace that He has provided for us. I am His and He is mine.
Devotionals
