2.3. PEACEFUL COMMUNION - PEACE OFFERINGS (Leviticus 3:1-17, 7:11-34)

Saved sinners delight in their access to God in service as an act of personal devotion, and persistent labour. The peace offering sets forth the reason for their delight in serving God.

Ephesians 2:14 "For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation,"

By Christ's shed blood we are brought near to God (Ephesians 2:13 ). Both Israelites and Gentiles have access to God in Christ, enjoying communion with God and one another. Unlike the burnt offering which represents Christ offering Himself to God, peace offerings could be male or female (Leviticus 3:1 ). Probably because in the peace offering Christ is seen as the representative of each of the many individuals whom He reconciles to God and each other, of both sexes and of every sort of tribe and nation, language and class.

There is a portion given to God.

Leviticus 7:30 "... the breast may be waved as a wave offering before the LORD."

Leviticus 7:32 "Also the right thigh you shall give to the priest as a heave offering from the sacrifices of your peace offerings."

The wave and heave was a symbolic way of setting the pieces aside as a contribution to God for the use of the priests. What man regards as the best, the fat, was given to God as an offering made by fire (Leviticus 3:9 ). In our times of fellowship God should be given the best.

Ryrie says: "The peace offering (Literally, a sacrifice of concord or happiness) was the only offering in which the offerer shared by eating a portion of the sacrifice (Leviticus 7:15 ), thus, it illustrated fellowship between God and man (as well as between man and man) on the basis of blood sacrifice."

The underprivileged and Levites were also given a portion (Deuteronomy 12:18; 16:11 ). All God's people are to be provided for in fellowship.

Deuteronomy 12:18 "... before the LORD your God ..."

Communion in fellowship with the redeemed is to be enjoyed as the guests of God. The peace offerings were a close parallel of the Lord's Supper as we feast on His presence.

1 Corinthians 10:16 "The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?"

So God's workmen are strengthened in communion with God and one another.

1 Corinthians 10:17 "For we, through many, are one bread and one body; for we all partake of that one bread."

The local body feasting on Christ will be strong in the work of the Lord.

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QUESTIONS FOR GROUP INTERACTION

1. Why did the peace offering illustrate fellowship between God and yourself? What would you regard as giving your best in fellowship with your Lord (Leviticus 7:30,32; 7:15 )?

2. Would you say the peace offerings were a close parallel to the Lord's supper (1 Corinthians 10:16,17 )?