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113_The peace offering

Lev 3:1-5 “If his offering is a sacrifice of peace offering, if he offers an animal from the herd, male or female, he shall offer it without blemish before the Lord. 2 And he shall lay his hand on the head of his offering and kill it at the entrance of the tent of meeting, and Aaron’s sons the priests shall throw the blood against the sides of the altar. 3 And from the sacrifice of the peace offering, as a food offering to the Lord, he shall offer the fat covering the entrails and all the fat that is on the entrails, 4 and the two kidneys with the fat that is on them at the loins, and the long lobe of the liver that he shall remove with the kidneys. 5 Then Aaron’s sons shall burn it on the altar on top of the burnt offering, which is on the wood on the fire; it is a food offering with a pleasing aroma to the Lord.

Lev 7:11-16 “And this is the law of the sacrifice of peace offerings that one may offer to the Lord. 12 If he offers it for a thanksgiving, then he shall offer with the thanksgiving sacrifice unleavened loaves mixed with oil, unleavened wafers smeared with oil, and loaves of fine flour well mixed with oil. 13 With the sacrifice of his peace offerings for thanksgiving he shall bring his offering with loaves of leavened bread. 14 And from it he shall offer one loaf from each offering, as a gift to the Lord. It shall belong to the priest who throws the blood of the peace offerings. 15 And the flesh of the sacrifice of his peace offerings for thanksgiving shall be eaten on the day of his offering. He shall not leave any of it until the morning. 16 But if the sacrifice of his offering is a vow offering or a freewill offering, it shall be eaten on the day that he offers his sacrifice, and on the next day what remains of it shall be eaten.

The village was buzzing with excitement as preparations for the annual feast began. Families gathered, setting up long tables, bringing out the best dishes they had prepared. These gatherings had a way of bringing people together, mending strained relationships, and fostering a spirit of gratitude. As the aroma of roasted lamb filled the air, an old man leaned toward his grandson and said, “Son, a shared meal is more than food; it is fellowship, a reminder that we belong to each other.”

Shared meals hold deep significance. They not only sustain the body but build and sustain relationships, bind the community together, and prompt reconciliation. The peace offering in Leviticus 3 is unique among the Old Testament sacrifices. Unlike the burnt offering, which was wholly consumed on the altar, or the grain offering, which was mostly given to the priests after burning a memorial portion on the altar, the peace offering was mostly eaten by those who offered it, with as many others as could be fed. It was a celebration of God’s blessing and favor, a meal in the presence of God.

Leviticus 17:3-4 reminds us of the solemn nature of killing any animal suitable for sacrifice to God: “Any man from the house of Israel who slaughters an ox, or a lamb, or a goat in the camp, or who slaughters it outside the camp, and has not brought it to the doorway of the tent of meeting to present it as an offering to the LORD before the tabernacle of the LORD, bloodguiltiness is to be reckoned to that man.” Every sacrifice belonged to God. The shedding of blood was a sacred act, reminding the people that the atonement for their sins was costly. This was especially important because many surrounding nations practiced idolatrous rituals, offering blood to pagan deities. God was teaching His people that life belonged to Him alone. Their worship had to reflect that truth.

The peace offering was brought for different reasons: as an act of thanksgiving (Leviticus 7:12; 22:29-30), to seek God’s mercy, to fulfill a vow (Leviticus 7:16; 22:21), or as a freewill offering (Leviticus 7:16; 22:18, 21, 23). Whatever the reason, the process was the same. The offerer would select an animal without blemish, lay their hands on its head, and then slay it at the entrance of the tabernacle. The blood would be thrown against the altar, and the fat portions would be burned as an offering to God. The priest received a designated part. The rest was cooked and eaten by the worshipper with any others he invited to share his joy.

What made the peace offering so special? Unlike other sacrifices that focused on atonement and cleansing from sin, the peace offering was about thanksgiving. The Hebrew word for peace, “shalom,” conveys more than the absence of conflict. It means completeness, harmony, and well-being. When the offerer brought the sacrifice, they were celebrating God’s favor, his goodwill towards them. As they ate the rich food in the presence of God, they displayed gratitude for his blessings and confidence that he was pleased by their rejoicing in his presence.

In 1 Samuel, Hannah is described as pouring out her heart to God at the Tabernacle, in deep distress. This happened while the peace offerings were being offered, when families gathered to partake of the sacrifices. God answered her prayer by giving her a son, Samuel, and as she had vowed, she dedicated him to the Lord. Her act of worship illustrated the very essence of the peace offering—a joyful and satisfied response to God’s mercy and faithfulness.

The peace offering included leavened bread (Leviticus 7:13). Leaven, which represents sin and corruption in many parts of Scripture, was strictly forbidden in the offerings made by fire. But here, since only the fat was burned on the altar, leavened bread was also to be brought so that the meal would be complete and satisfying. The peace offering was not a sacrifice for sin but a celebration of a restored relationship. It acknowledged that while human imperfection remained, God’s grace was greater.

Romans 5:1-2 tells us, “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through Him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.” Just as the Israelites celebrated God’s favor, we rejoice that we have peace with God through Jesus Christ. He is our ultimate peace offering, for we all partake of him. He is the source of our joy and full satisfaction, as we give thanks through him to the Father.

Ephesians 2:14 declares, “For He Himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in His flesh the dividing wall of hostility.” Christ our Lord made peace not only between God and humanity, but also between people. The barriers of colour, geography, class, and nationality are torn down in Him. The Lord’s Supper expresses the same idea as the peace offering. When we partake of the bread and cup, we solemnly but joyfully remember Christ who is our reconciliation with God and with each other.

The peace offering reminds us that gratitude is an essential part of worship. Psalm 50:23 says, “The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me; to one who orders his way rightly I will show the salvation of God!” A heart at peace with God will overflow with thanksgiving. Whether in times of joy or trial, we can be grateful that God is on our side. This is the source of true contentment.

Let our lives reflect the peace Christ has given us. Let us live in unity with others. Instead of holding grudges, let us make peace just as we have been reconciled to God by his Son. Christ said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” (Matthew 5:9). Let us be people who reconcile, who forgive, who build bridges instead of walls.

God wants his people to rejoice and live in peace as a daily reality and not a mere theological abstraction. We do not live in the shadow of sin, but in the light of His grace. The peace offering was a joyous occasion, a celebration of peace with God. As we walk in this peace, let us reflect His love and reconciliation, living witnesses to the wholeness that Christ brings. God bless.