Leviticus 7:11-18 And this is the law of the sacrifice of peace offerings, which he shall offer to the LORD.… I. THE PEACE-OFFERING A SACRIFICE OF THANKSGIVING. Three forms of it are specified — 1. The offering of thanksgiving, i.e., for some special blessing. 2. The vow, the fulfilment of a promise to God. 3. The voluntary offering, made from a principle of gratitude, when, with no special occasion, the worshipper called upon his soul and all within him to praise and bless God's holy name. It was a peace-offering, a national thanksgiving, which Solomon made at the dedication of the Temple. It is this sacrifice which is so frequently referred to in the Psalms. In connection with the celebration of the Passover there were two peace-offerings. The former of these is continued in the Lord's Supper, which is a feast of thanksgiving for God's greatest gift to men. We should thank God at the sacramental table for all special exhibitions of the Divine goodness. II. THE PEACE-OFFERING IS A SACRIFICE OF FELLOWSHIP. This, taken with thanksgiving, is its characteristic idea. The feature peculiar to it was the sacrificial meal; the partaking of that which was offered by the worshipper. The priests shared in what was offered in the meat and sin-offerings. The worshipper also partook of the peace-offering. The sacrifice was an act of holy communion. Also a social meal. III. THE BASIS OF COMMUNION IN THE PEACE-OFFERING IS SACRIFICE; AND IN THE SACRIFICE, THE SHEDDING OF BLOOD. The shedding of the blood in this particular sacrifice does not represent, as in the sin-offering, the act of atoning for sin. The bleeding Christ as our Peace-offering is not our sin-bearer. But His blood in this offering also declares that an atonement has been made, and that the sole ground of fellowship with God is the reconciling blood of the Lamb (Ephesians 2:13, 14). IV. THE PEACE-OFFERING REQUIRES HOLINESS IN THE WORSHIPPER. This fact is expressed in the provision that unleavened bread should be offered as a part of the sacrifice. Yeast, or leaven, was a symbol of corruption. The principle of corruption must be carefully excluded, if our offering is to find acceptance. Is there old leaven of sin in your life? V. IN THE PEACE-OFFERING THE SINFULNESS OF A NATURE PARTIALLY SANCTIFIED IS CONFESSED. The curse of sin is no more on us, but it is in us. (G. R. Leavitt.) Parallel Verses KJV: And this is the law of the sacrifice of peace offerings, which he shall offer unto the LORD.WEB: "'This is the law of the sacrifice of peace offerings, which one shall offer to Yahweh. |
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