Lev. 3 & 7:11-38: The Peace Offering

1. Read Lev 3 and 7:11-38
2. Explaining the Offering
   1. An optional offering (3:1) a "if" instead of a "when" like the other two, but more explicitly, (7:12, 16)
   2. Requirements
      1. Male or female without defect (except Lev 22:23)
      2. If a thanksgiving/confession 4 different kind of cakes, must eat meat that day
      3. Vow or free will meat could be eaten the next day but no later
   3. Fat and kidneys for God
      1. Kidneys were the seat of the emotions
      2. Fat considered the best
      3. God gets our best and our deepest emotions
   4. Breast and legs for priests
      1. Taking care of the ministers
   5. Rest of meat for the worshiper
      1. One of the few times they would have meat
      2. A physical demonstration of the benefits of peace with God
      3. Truly a community event
   6. Often recited Ps 100 with it
3. When and How the Meal Should be Taken
   1. Those doing it improperly will be held responsible (7:18)
   2. Everyone must be "clean" as well as the person (7:19-21)
   3. Do not eat unclean meat, the fat, or the blood, or this person will be "cut off" (7:19-21; 25-27)
      1. Not judgment within community but divine. God will deal with them in some manner, either through sickness or death.
   4. Not given for God to eat, Ps 50:12-13 (v.14)
   5. God's presence is specially near
4. Reasons for having the Meal of Peace
   1. The meaning of "peace/fellowship" offering
      1. "shelamim" — "be complete" concluding sacrifice remembering the covenant
      2. "a gift" or "gifts offered to obtain peace"
      3. "shalom" not absence of war but health and prosperity and peace w/ God, i.e. salvation
      4. "confession" — or simply thanks for God's deliverance or done after fulfilling a vow
      5. Centers on God's mercy more than confession of sinfulness Ps 56:12-13
   2. 3 main reasons; Lev 7:12ff, examples 1 Kings 9:25
      1. Find Peace through Confession your need of God's mercy
      2. Find Peace through Keeping your word
      3. Find Peace through Expressing Thanks — in response to his grace and blessings
      4. Find Peace through orderly worship
   3. Deut 12:7 done out of joy in the presence of the whole church
5. Peace Offering and the Lord's Supper
   1. Ex 24:8 Moses after burnt and peace offerings throws blood on people to ratify the covenant
      1. It is a special meal. Not just any meal, but the one meal. Likely the Passover was a once a year special celebration of this meal
      2. It is a reminder of the covenant we have made with God
      3. It is be taken with a "clean" heart, taking it improperly could result in removal from the community of faith or even death.
      4. It is to be taken with thankfulness and joy recognizing the peace with God and the blessings of being in fellowship with him we now have.
      5. It is a part of worship service with him
      6. It is only for those who are in the community
   2. Worship should be orderly and respectful
      1. Heb 12:28-29; 1 Cor. 14:33
      2. Attention to detail important for those leading others into worship
      3. It is a performance to a certain extent
   3. It is now fulfilled through Jesus in the Lord's supper! Matthew 26:26-30
      1. Heb 13:15-16 "Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise — the fruit of lips that confess his name. And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is please."
   4. It is a celebration. We can express our thanks and gratitude to God through sharing the Lord's supper and remind ourselves of the wedding supper we will have with him.
      1. 1 Cor 11:17-34 — we proclaim the Lord's death until he comes
   5. We do so with reverence and awe in respect for God's holiness
      1. 1 Cor 11:27-30 — some are sick and dying because they take it inappropriately
   6. We as Christians express our thanks to God through remembering our union, our covenant, our peace with God now through Christ.
   7. Once we were forbidden to drink the blood recognizing its sacred life-giving power. Now we drink knowing Christ's blood cleanses us from sin.