The Peace, Communion, or Prosperity Offering
Leviticus 3
Leviticus 3
The Peace Offering. The third offering given in Leviticus is the peace offering (Heb. ‘Shelem’ meaning ‘communion’). It is the final sweet-savor offering. As the name implies, the offering represents Christ in death as the ground of communion for both God and man. It isn’t Christ making peace by putting away sin: that is the sin offering.1 The characteristic feature of the peace offering is that, while the whole animal was presented to Jehovah, only a part of the animal was offered up: specifically, the fat, kidneys, and membrane above the liver. As the law of the peace offering (Lev. 7:11-36) shows, the remainder was food for the offeror and for the priests! Leviticus 3 focuses on God’s part, as that must come first, but the law of the offering brings in the communion. Further, it is called “it is the food of the offering by fire for a sweet odour” (v.11). In this way, the peace offering was the common food of God Himself, the one who brought the offering, and the priests. The various motives for the peace offering are given in the law of the peace offering. It was usually offered in thanksgiving to Jehovah, or as payment for a vow. Another name for the peace offering is the “prosperity” offering. It was that which the Israelite offered in thanksgiving to God.23 The peace offering is closely connected with the burnt offering, but differs from it in that the burnt offering was Christ offered up wholly for God, while the peace offering is Christ in death as the basis of communion for God and man. The peace offering differs from the sin offering in that it does not deal with the expiation of sin. Hence, sin does not enter in, except as the backdrop. Therefore, the peace offering is a sweet-savor to Jehovah!
Peace Offerings of the Herd (3:1-5)
CHAPTER 3
1 And if his offering be a sacrifice of peace-offering, — if he present it of the herd, whether a male or female, he shall present it without blemish before Jehovah.
v.1 The Offering. As the burnt offering and meal offering, so the peace offering also was a voluntary offering. In its general form, the peace offering was not required, but was what a godly Israelite would bring out of the thanksgiving of his heart. Therefore, he would “present it… before Jehovah”. The first class of animals is cattle; the largest, which represents the highest character of understanding in worship. The peace offerings of cattle could be “a male or female” as opposed to the burnt offering which could only be a male. This brings out the broadness of the peace offering; a communion that all may share in. Yet the offering represented Christ, and therefore it must be “without blemish”.
2 And he shall lay his hand on the head of his offering, and slaughter it at the entrance of the tent of meeting; and Aaron’s sons, the priests, shall sprinkle the blood on the altar round about.
v.2 Identification, and the Blood. Like the burnt offering, the offeror was to lay his hand on the head of the offering, not to transfer guilt to the sacrifice as with the sin offering, but so the acceptability of the sacrifice might be transferred to the offeror! Yet death was required, and so the offeror must “slaughter it”. It was the priest’s work to handle the blood, which was “presented” and “sprinkled” on the altar of burnt offering and around it, because “without shedding of blood is no remission” (Hebrews 9:22).
3 And he shall present of the sacrifice of peace-offering an offering by fire to Jehovah; the fat that covereth the inwards, and all the fat that is on the inwards, 4 and the two kidneys, and the fat that is on them, which is by the flanks, and the net above the liver which he shall take away as far as the kidneys; 5 and Aaron’s sons shall burn it on the altar upon the burnt-offering which lieth on the wood that is upon the fire: it is an offering by fire to Jehovah of a sweet odour.
vv.3-5 The Fat and the Fire. The fat, which is the inward energy of the animal, was for Jehovah only. We see this in the very first mention of fat, which was in connection with Abel’s offering; “And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof” (Gen. 4:4).4 His will, His motivations, His inward energy was all for God! The fat came from several areas: that which covered the inwards, was on the inwards, was on the kidneys, and was by the flanks. Also offered to Jehovah were the kidneys and the net or membrane that is above the liver. I suggest the following distinctions, not as definite interpretation, but only as the mediation of one’s heart.
- The fat that was on the inwards and covered them speaks of the will, which in the Lord’s case was always to do the Father’s will, and finish His work, except in the matter of being made sin, and there He said “not my will, but thine be done”.
- The kidneys and the fat on them speaks of the motives, which in the case of Christ was perfectly and wholly for the glory and joy of His Father. Note that the Hebrew word ‘kilya’ is translated as ‘kidneys’ (the physical organ) as well as ‘reins’ (motives) nearly equally, as the context shows (see Job 16:13; Psa. 16:7; 139:13; Jer. 11:20; 17:10; 20:12). There is certainly a connection between the kidneys and the motives of the heart, or ‘reins’, the internal controlling influences, that direct a man.
- The fat which is on the flanks, which the body draws from its reserves in time of need, suggests the energy of the soul, which in the case of Christ was all for God; “I have meat to eat that ye know not of” (John 4:32), and “the zeal of thine house hath eaten me up” (Psa 69:9).
- Finally, the net or membrane above the liver is either the diaphragm, which is the major muscle of respiration and separates the vitals from the abdominal cavity. The diaphragm would represent the inward desire for life which every person has – the desire to keep breathing – but which was laid aside by the blessed Savior as sacrificed to the Father’s will (Psa. 88:3; 102:24).
All of this was offered up by the sons of Aaron, burned upon the altar where the burnt-offering was laid, and was “an offering by fire to Jehovah of a sweet odor”. There was also that which was for the offeror, and for the priests, but the fat of the peace offering, as with the burnt and meal offerings, was a sweet savor for the pleasure and satisfaction of God.
Peace Offerings of Smaller Animals (3:6-17)
Smaller Animals. Now we arrive at a second class of animals for peace offerings; the smaller animals. Three types are given: small cattle, sheep, and goats. These smaller animals represent the a lower character of understanding in worship, but nevertheless a sweet order to Jehovah. The deeper our knowledge of the grace of God, of the Lord Himself, the greater our appreciation of Christ given in death.
Peace Offerings of Small Cattle (3:6)
6 And if his offering for a sacrifice of peace-offering to Jehovah be of small cattle, male or female, he shall present it without blemish.
v.6 Small Cattle. The various peace offering begin with the most significant (large cattle), then range to smaller animals. The smaller cattle were nevertheless qualified as a sacrifice of peace offering, and male or female was acceptable. However, the offering must be “without blemish” as it typified the holiness of Christ, as that which was due to God.
Peace Offerings of Sheep (3:7-11)
7 If he present a sheep for his offering, then shall he present it before Jehovah, 8 and shall lay his hand on the head of his offering, and slaughter it before the tent of meeting; and Aaron’s sons shall sprinkle the blood thereof upon the altar round about. 9 And he shall present of the sacrifice of peace-offering an offering by fire to Jehovah; the fat thereof, the whole fat tail, which he shall take off close by the backbone, and the fat that covereth the inwards, and all the fat that is on the inwards, 10 and the two kidneys, and the fat that is on them, which is by the flanks, and the net above the liver which he shall take away as far as the kidneys; 11 and the priest shall burn it on the altar: it is the food of the offering by fire to Jehovah.
vv.7-11 Sheep. The instructions concerning sheep are very similar to that of the herd. The major difference is that the fat by the tail was also to be added. W. Kelly remarked, “in the sheep of Syria no portion was more prized or valuable, not only for its size but for its quality as fat with the delicacy of marrow. This was therefore claimed for Jehovah, and ungrudgingly given.” These were all the richest parts of the animal, and they were offered up to God as a sweet smelling savor. It is remarkable that in the case of the sheep is found the beautiful recognition that the peace offering was “the food of the offering by fire to Jehovah”.
Peace Offerings of Goats (3:12-17)
12 And if his offering be a goat, then he shall present it before Jehovah. 13 And he shall lay his hand on the head of it, and slaughter it before the tent of meeting; and the sons of Aaron shall sprinkle the blood thereof on the altar round about. 14 And he shall present thereof his offering, an offering by fire to Jehovah; the fat that covereth the inwards and all the fat that is on the inwards, 15 and the two kidneys, and the fat that is on them, which is by the flanks, and the net above the liver which he shall take away as far as the kidneys; 16 and the priest shall burn them on the altar: it is the food of the offering by fire for a sweet odour. All the fat shall be Jehovah’s. 17 It is an everlasting statute for your generations throughout all your dwellings: no fat and no blood shall ye eat.
vv.12-17 Goats. There was not as much latitude with the peace offering as there was with the burnt offering, where a bird could be offered. The least valuable animal for a peace offering was a goat. There was no fat tail with the goat, nevertheless, it is still called “the food of the offering by fire for a sweet odour”. The two things the children of Israel were not to eat was the blood and the fat. It was a statute throughout their generations, the one representing the life of the flesh, which was sacred to God, and the other represented the deep devotion of Christ which was all for God! This last was the food of God Himself, but the meal was shared with the priest (right shoulder) and the offeror (remainder). Thus we have Christ in death as the communion of God Himself, Christ as the priest, and the believers!
- It is not a question merely of the word, but of the truth which is intended by it. In no way does it indicate the means of making peace for a sinner with God, though it may, as in the plural, imply things relating to peace, of which communion and thanksgiving are chief. The ground of peace for us laid in the blood of the cross so naturally suggested by the common rendering, is what one would guard souls against: it could only mislead. The thought seems to be a feast-offering. It is not here all going up to God… nor only has God His portion … but Christ is alike the means and object of communion. – W. Kelly. The Offerings.
- “Peace-offering” is a bad name: “sacrifices de prospérite” they are called in French. … The force of the offering is communion, no doubt, because the people eat of it; but the name has nothing to do with that. It is a prosperity-offering, either a thanksgiving, or for vows. The man brought his animal, laid his hand upon its head, killed it at the door of the tabernacle, and the priest took the blood, and sprinkled it upon the altar. The fat went to Jehovah, to be burnt upon the altar for a sweet savor. You cannot separate that from Christ offering Himself as a burnt offering. – J.N. Darby. Hints on the Sacrifices in Leviticus, Bible Treasury: Volume 9
- The peace offering now presents itself to our notice. It is the offering which typifies to us the communion of saints, according to the efficacy of the sacrifice, with God, with the priest who has offered it in our behalf, with one another, and with the whole body of the saints as priests to God. – J.N. Darby. Synopsis of the Books of the Bible.
- The use of this symbol, fat, is sufficiently familiar in the Word. “Their heart is fat as grease.” “Jeshurun waxed fat and kicked.” “They are enclosed in their own fat, with their mouth they speak proudly.” It is the energy and force of the inward will, the inwards of a man’s heart. Hence, where Christ expresses His entire mortification, He declares they could tell all His bones; and, in Psa. 102 “By reason of the voice of my groaning my bones cleave to my skin.” – J.N. Darby. Synopsis of the Books of the Bible.