Topical Bible: Peace offerings: Offered by Joshua

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Topical Encyclopedia

In the biblical narrative, peace offerings hold a significant place as a form of sacrifice that symbolizes reconciliation and fellowship with God. These offerings are detailed in the Mosaic Law, primarily in the book of Leviticus, where they are described as voluntary sacrifices made by the Israelites to express gratitude, fulfill vows, or seek peace with God.

Biblical Context and Purpose

Peace offerings, also known as "fellowship offerings," are distinct from other types of sacrifices such as burnt offerings or sin offerings. They are characterized by the communal aspect of the sacrifice, where a portion of the offering is consumed by the worshiper, symbolizing a shared meal with God. The peace offering is a means of expressing thanksgiving, making a vow, or simply seeking to maintain a harmonious relationship with the Divine.

Joshua's Peace Offerings

The Book of Joshua recounts the leadership of Joshua, the successor of Moses, as he leads the Israelites into the Promised Land. While the specific mention of Joshua offering peace offerings is not detailed in the same manner as other leaders like Moses or David, Joshua's role in the covenant renewal ceremonies and his adherence to the Law of Moses imply the inclusion of such offerings.

In Joshua 8:30-31 , it is recorded: "At that time Joshua built an altar to the LORD, the God of Israel, on Mount Ebal, as Moses the servant of the LORD had commanded the Israelites. He built it according to what is written in the Book of the Law of Moses: an altar of uncut stones on which no iron tool had been used. And they offered burnt offerings to the LORD and sacrificed peace offerings."

This passage highlights Joshua's commitment to the covenantal laws given through Moses. The peace offerings here are part of a larger ceremony of covenant renewal, emphasizing the Israelites' dedication to God and their desire for continued peace and blessing in the land they were to inhabit.

Significance in Israelite Worship

The act of offering peace offerings by Joshua and the Israelites on Mount Ebal is significant for several reasons. Firstly, it underscores the importance of obedience to God's commandments as laid out in the Law of Moses. Secondly, it reflects the communal and covenantal nature of Israel's relationship with God, where peace offerings serve as a tangible expression of fellowship and gratitude.

Moreover, the location of the altar on Mount Ebal, as commanded by Moses, is symbolic. It represents the fulfillment of God's promises and the establishment of Israel in the land. The peace offerings, therefore, are not only acts of worship but also declarations of faith in God's continued provision and protection.

Theological Implications

From a theological perspective, peace offerings offered by Joshua and the Israelites illustrate the broader biblical theme of reconciliation and communion with God. They foreshadow the ultimate peace offering made through Jesus Christ, who, according to Christian belief, reconciles humanity to God through His sacrificial death and resurrection.

In summary, while the specific instances of Joshua offering peace offerings are not extensively detailed, the context and implications of such offerings in the narrative of Joshua highlight their importance in Israelite worship and their enduring theological significance.

Nave's Topical Index

Joshua 8:31
As Moses the servant of the LORD commanded the children of Israel, as it is written in the book of the law of Moses, an altar of whole stones, over which no man has lift up any iron: and they offered thereon burnt offerings to the LORD, and sacrificed peace offerings.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Altar and Temple
... and of every one that willingly offered a freewill ... month began they to offer burnt
offerings unto the ... or, Zechariah says, 'the counsel of peace' was 'between ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/altar and temple.htm

Scriptural Types.
... the symbolical act of crowning Joshua is typified ... burnt-offerings, sin-offerings,
trespass-offerings, and peace-offerings. ... or more of them were offered on the ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxxvii scriptural types.htm

Manner of Covenanting.
... Moses "sent young men of the children of Israel, which offered burnt-offerings,
and sacrificed peace-offerings of oxen unto the Lord. ...
/.../cunningham/the ordinance of covenanting/chapter ii manner of covenanting.htm

Covenanting Provided for in the Everlasting Covenant.
... in him, that the saints, in early times, while they offered sacrifice by ... which were
never merely voluntary: the burnt-offering: the peace-offerings, that were ...
/.../cunningham/the ordinance of covenanting/chapter vi covenanting provided for.htm

The Greater Prophets.
... come before him with burnt-offerings, with calves ... Jerusalem, where alone sacrifices
could be lawfully offered. ... glorious visions of future peace and prosperity ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxii the greater prophets.htm

The Fact of the Redeemer's Return was Typified in the Lives of ...
... the Peace, the Sin, and the Trespass offerings"were required to ... He shall rule as
the "Prince of Peace." He was ... Temple, Solomon was the one who offered up the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the redeemers return/4 the fact of the.htm

The Typical Significance of the Scriptures Declare their Divine ...
... Gentile; like the Burnt, the Meal and the Peace "sweet savor" offerings, which
proclaimed ... flock"speaking of the Good Shepherd who offered Himself to God ...
/.../the divine inspiration of the bible/chapter six the typical significance.htm

In Judaea
... as far from Jerusalem as Migdal Eder, and within that circuit on every side, the
males were offered as burnt-offerings, the females as peace-offerings. ...
/.../edersheim/sketches of jewish social life/chapter 5 in judaea.htm

Nature of Covenanting.
... on the altar of God, and all offerings of obedience ... Isaac: and he that received the
promises offered up his ... in practice, or the preservation of peace and truth ...
/.../cunningham/the ordinance of covenanting/chapter i nature of covenanting.htm

Following the Cloud.
... The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.". ... Afterward, Aaron and
his sons offered burnt offerings for their sins, and the sins of the ...
/.../lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter xii following the cloud.htm