Daily Scripture Reading Leviticus 3:1-17
There is much conflict around the world. People are at odds with other people. Nations are at war with other nations. Most humans are opposed to Jesus, our Creator.
Many people spend a lot of time exploring how to have peace in the political realm and the interpersonal realm. Today’s passage prompts us to consider how we can be at peace with God.
The opening chapters of Leviticus explain how the Israelites were to use the tabernacle. Chapter one lists the rules that regulated burnt offerings. The second chapter defines the requirements and procedures for bringing grain offerings. Today, we will read about a third type of sacrifice.
Lev. 3:1 ¶ ‘Now if his offering is a sacrifice of peace offerings, if he is going to bring near one from the herd, whether male or female, he shall bring it near without blemish before Yahweh.
The words “male or female” indicate the Israelites had some freedom to decide what to bring as a sacrifice, but it still had to be a perfect animal.
Notice the word “peace”. Chapter three describes peace offerings, which were distinct and different from burnt offerings.
Life is full of conflict and discord with other people. Throughout the world, there is constant warfare between nations and people groups. Many people wish we would have peace instead.
Likewise, the Old Testament often mentions the existence of strife and discord between God and humans. Yahweh brought vengeance on many nations who rejected Him.
On the other hand, Israel was God’s chosen people. Thus, there was peace between Yahweh and Israel, or at least there was supposed to be peace. The peace offering symbolized the peace that existed when Israel obeyed Yahweh’s commands.
Today, many people are opposed to God. They refuse to obey the commands of our Creator. Thus, they are in conflict with God.
However, we can be at peace with God. Romans 5:1 tells us we can have peace with God through Jesus Christ. Colossians 1:20 explains that we can make peace through the blood of the cross and no longer be alienated from God. There are many verses throughout the New Testament that mention the peace that comes from God.
Lev. 3:2 Then he shall lay his hand on the head of his offering and slaughter it at the doorway of the tent of meeting, and Aaron’s sons the priests shall splash the blood around on the altar.
Lev. 3:3 From the sacrifice of the peace offerings he shall bring an offering by fire near to Yahweh, the fat that covers the entrails and all the fat that is on the entrails,
Look at the words “from” and “an offering”. Unlike the burnt offering in which the entire animal was burned on the altar, when bringing a peace offering, only part of the animal was burned. Verses 3-4 specify the parts of the animal that were to be burned.
Lev. 3:4 and the two kidneys with the fat that is on them, which is on the loins, and the lobe of the liver, which he shall remove with the kidneys.
Lev. 3:5 Then Aaron’s sons shall offer it up in smoke on the altar on the burnt offering, which is on the wood that is on the fire; it is an offering by fire of a soothing aroma to Yahweh.
Take note of the word “soothing”. The aroma of the sacrifice was soothing to Yahweh.
Lev. 3:6 But if his offering for a sacrifice of peace offerings to Yahweh is from the flock, he shall bring it near, male or female, without blemish.
Lev. 3:7 If he is going to bring near a lamb for his offering, then he shall bring it near before Yahweh,
Lev. 3:8 and he shall lay his hand on the head of his offering and slaughter it before the tent of meeting, and Aaron’s sons shall splash its blood around on the altar.
Lev. 3:9 And from the sacrifice of peace offerings he shall bring near as an offering by fire to Yahweh its fat, the entire fat tail which he shall remove close to the backbone, and the fat that covers the entrails and all the fat that is on the entrails,
Once again we see the words “from” and “an offering” repeating the requirement that only part of the animal was burned.
Lev. 3:10 and the two kidneys with the fat that is on them, which is on the loins, and the lobe of the liver, which he shall remove with the kidneys.
Lev. 3:11 Then the priest shall offer it up in smoke on the altar as food, an offering by fire to Yahweh.
Lev. 3:12 ¶ ‘Moreover, if his offering is a goat, then he shall bring it near before Yahweh,
Lev. 3:13 and he shall lay his hand on its head and slaughter it before the tent of meeting, and the sons of Aaron shall splash its blood around on the altar.
Lev. 3:14 And from it he shall bring near his offering as an offering by fire to Yahweh the fat that covers the entrails and all the fat that is on the entrails,
Lev. 3:15 and the two kidneys with the fat that is on them, which is on the loins, and the lobe of the liver, which he shall remove with the kidneys.
Lev. 3:16 And the priest shall offer them up in smoke on the altar as food, an offering by fire for a soothing aroma; all fat is Yahweh’s.
Lev. 3:17 It is a perpetual statute throughout your generations in all your places of habitation: you shall not eat any fat or any blood.’”
Notice the words “you shall not eat any fat or any blood”. The instructions in today’s passage specified that all the fat was to be burned. That was in line with a broader requirement in the Mosaic Law. The Israelites were never permitted to eat fat or blood, even when eating an animal that was not offered as a sacrifice.
There is much conflict around the world. People are at odds with other people. Nations are at war with other nations. Most humans stand opposed to Jesus, our Creator.
Many people spend a lot of time exploring how to have peace in the political realm and the interpersonal realm. We also need to ponder how we can be at peace with God.
The Israelites had peace with Yahweh because they were God’s chosen people. They offered peace offerings which symbolized that peace.
Christians have peace with God through the blood of Jesus Christ.
Are you at peace with God, our Creator?
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“Scripture quotations taken from the (LSB®) Legacy Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2021 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Managed in partnership with Three Sixteen Publishing Inc. LSBible.org and 316publishing.com.”