Scripture Daily

Context No. 2931 of 4322 · Leviticus

Context · Reflection

Leviticus 3:1-5: in context

1“‘If his offering is a sacrifice of peace offerings, if he offers it from the herd, whether male or female, he shall offer it without defect before the LORD. 2He shall lay his hand on the head of his offering, and kill it at the door of the Tent of Meeting. Aaron’s sons, the priests, shall sprinkle the blood around on the altar. 3He shall offer of the sacrifice of peace offerings an offering made by fire to the LORD. The fat that covers the innards, and all the fat that is on the innards, 4and the two kidneys, and the fat that is on them, which is by the loins, and the cover on the liver, with the kidneys, he shall take away. 5Aaron’s sons shall burn it on the altar on the burnt offering, which is on the wood that is on the fire: it is an offering made by fire, of a pleasant aroma to the LORD.

This is the law of the peace offering. The worshiper brings an animal without defect, lays his hand on its head, and it is killed at the entrance of the tent; the priests sprinkle the blood on the altar and burn the fat as an offering, a pleasant aroma to the LORD.

The peace offering, or fellowship offering, was set apart from the others by one thing: the worshiper himself shared in eating it, a meal in God's presence, a sign of peace and communion with him. Laying his hand on the animal's head, he identified himself with his gift, and the fat, the richest part, was given wholly to God. Underneath the ritual is a picture of restored fellowship: peace with God, celebrated at a shared table, the best handed over to him. It quietly anticipates the deeper peace and communion offered through Christ, who is himself our peace.

Do I know the peace and fellowship with God that this offering pictured, seated at his table, at peace with him through Christ?

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