Are You at Peace?

O. T. #269  "Are You at Peace?"
April 16, 2014
Leviticus 3-Part 1
And he shall offer of the sacrifice of the peace offering an offering made by fire unto the LORD...  Leviticus 3:9a

LET IT GLOW

Isn't it wonderful to have peace in our home? Isn't it sweet when husband and wife are in agreement and at peace with each other? What about being at peace with our children, or is there turmoil and disagreement? Are we at peace with ourselves and with God? Or is there bitterness, hurt, unsettled matters in your life? Isn't it time to resolve them?

I found several definitions for the word peace in Webster's Dictionary, with one being a state of tranquility or quiet. Other words mentioned were freedom, security, order, harmony, silence, calm, end hostility.  
Yes, I enjoy the times when my home has peace, harmony, in agreement, quietness within it. I also enjoy it within my soul. When it is missing, I cry out to God in repentance, for I realize that my sin has removed the peace of God within me.
Did you know that the Israelites could give a peace offering to God? Read on, friend.

We are continuing with the third of the five sacrifice requirements told to the Israelites. We have read about the burnt offering, which was the atonement made for their sins whenever the Israelites failed to keep the Law. The burning meat gave a pleasant smell which signified the sacrifice of obedience that pleased the Lord. The first three sacrifices were to be freewill offerings. The grain offering signified the homage and thanksgiving one made to God.

MacArthur Bible Commentary informs us that:

The third offering, the peace offering, expressed fellowship and peace between God and the one offering. There were three types:

1. A thank offering express gratitude for an unexpected blessing or deliverance.
2. A votive offering expressed gratitude for a blessing or deliverance granted when a vow had accompanied the petition.
3. A freewill offering expressed gratitude to God without regard to any specific blessing or deliverance. 

What were the requirements of the peace offering?

• According to the wealth of the Israelite, it was a male or female without blemish from the herd (cattle) or from a flock (sheep or a goat).
• The blood was sprinkled upon the altar and the fat and the kidneys of the animal was burned on the altar of burnt offerings. This signified that the blood and fat belonged to God.
• The offering was so the Israelites could enjoy peace with God, not to make peace with God.
• The difference between the burnt offering and the peace offering was that the peace offering's meat of the breast and right thigh was given to the priests to eat and the rest of the meat could be eaten in the court by the one offering it and his family (except the kidneys).

In the peace offering, God and His people would feast together as a token of friendship. If a man was in pursuit of any mercy, he would add a peace-offering to his prayer for it. This offering was offered by way of thanksgiving for some mercy received. (Matthew Henry)

The largest peace offering, history's greatest barbecue was given by Solomon when he dedicated the temple, offered 22,000 cattle and 120,000 sheep (1 Kings 8:63). Hezekiah gave a festival of 2,000 bulls and 17,000 sheep were given for peace offerings (1 Chr. 30:24). (Guzik)

By Israel not eating the fat of the animals, their controlled their cholesterol and heart disease. Tapeworms were often found in fatty tissue.

Do we seek peace with God? Are we at peace with God? Are we obedient to God's Word and His will?


LET IT GROW

Christ is peace, our Peace-offering; for through Him alone it is that we can obtain an answer of peace to our prayers. (Henry)

Hebrews 13:15-16  refers to Jesus, By Him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to His name. But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

Hebrews 10:3 reminds us, But those sacrifices are annual reminder of sins, because it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.

Again in reference to Jesus, in Hebrews 10:10 it is And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

Hebrews 9:22b says, Without shedding of blood is no remission. (NIV says forgiveness.)

Through Christ the believer is reconciled to God in his heart. (M. Henry)

This offering pictures the fellowship we enjoy with the Lord on the basis of His sacrifice for us. The offering was brought because of the thankfulness of the grateful worshiper.  (Falwell)

Are we continually giving thanks and praise to God? If we know Jesus as our Savior, we can.
Jesus came to be our peace offering to God. He gave His blood and body as a sacrifice for us sinners.
Especially this week leading up to Easter do we consider all that Jesus did for us when He died on the cross.

LET IT GO

Continually give thanks and praise to my Lord Jesus for all He has done for me.

Thank Him for the peace that I have knowing Him as my Savior.