Introduction

Peace offerings, also known as "fellowship offerings," are a significant aspect of the sacrificial system outlined in the Old Testament. These offerings were a means for the Israelites to express gratitude, fulfill vows, or seek reconciliation with God. The peace offering is distinct from other sacrifices, such as the sin offering or burnt offering, in its purpose and execution.

Biblical Foundation

The primary instructions for peace offerings are found in the book of Leviticus. Leviticus 3 provides detailed guidelines on how these offerings were to be conducted. The peace offering could be made from cattle, sheep, or goats, and it was characterized by the offering of the animal's fat and certain internal organs on the altar.

Leviticus 3:1-5 states: "If someone’s offering is a peace offering and he offers an animal from the herd, whether male or female, he must present it without blemish before the LORD. He is to lay his hand on the head of his offering and slaughter it at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting. Then Aaron’s sons the priests shall sprinkle the blood on all sides of the altar. From the peace offering he is to bring an offering made by fire to the LORD: the fat that covers the entrails, all the fat that is on them, and the two kidneys with the fat on them, near the loins, and the lobe of the liver, which he is to remove with the kidneys. Then Aaron’s sons are to burn it on the altar atop the burnt offering that is on the burning wood, as an offering made by fire, a pleasing aroma to the LORD."

Purpose and Significance

The peace offering served multiple purposes. It was a voluntary act of worship, an expression of thanksgiving, and a means of making a vow or freewill offering. Unlike the sin offering, which was mandatory for atonement, the peace offering was a voluntary act that symbolized fellowship and communion with God.

The peace offering was unique in that it was shared among the offerer, the priests, and God. The fat and certain organs were burned on the altar as God's portion, the breast and right thigh were given to the priests, and the remaining meat was consumed by the offerer and his family. This communal meal symbolized peace and fellowship with God and among the participants.

Theological Implications

The peace offering underscores the importance of fellowship and communion with God. It reflects the believer's desire to maintain a harmonious relationship with the Creator. The act of sharing the offering with the priests and family members highlights the communal aspect of worship and the unity of God's people.

Furthermore, the peace offering foreshadows the ultimate peace and reconciliation brought about through Jesus Christ. In the New Testament, Christ is seen as the fulfillment of the sacrificial system, offering Himself as the perfect sacrifice for sin and establishing peace between God and humanity. Ephesians 2:14 states, "For He Himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has torn down the dividing wall of hostility."

Practical Application

For contemporary believers, the principles behind the peace offering can be applied in various ways. It encourages a spirit of gratitude and thanksgiving, reminding Christians to acknowledge God's blessings and express their appreciation through acts of worship and service. It also emphasizes the importance of maintaining peace and unity within the body of Christ, fostering relationships that reflect the love and fellowship found in the early church.

In summary, peace offerings in the Old Testament were a vital part of Israel's worship, symbolizing gratitude, fellowship, and reconciliation with God. They point forward to the ultimate peace offering made by Christ, who reconciles believers to God and to one another.Leviticus 9:4
Also a bullock and a ram for peace offerings, to sacrifice before the LORD; and a meat offering mingled with oil: for to day the LORD will appear to you.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

That David Made Great Preparations for the House of God; and That ...
... carpenters and stone-cutters, and a large quantity of ... They also offered peace-offerings,
and slew many ten thousand ... day, together with all the people; and they ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 14 that david made.htm

Scriptural Types.
... both." In accordance with these representations a large part of ... priests also received
specified portions from the peace-offerings of the people, the trespass ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxxvii scriptural types.htm

High Priest
... the altar; to sprinkle the blood of the peace-offerings upon the ... for the priests
to keep their people in dense ... was a space left open sufficiently large for the ...
/.../conversion of a high priest into a christian worker/chapter iv high priest.htm

A Young Man's Wise Choice Op Wisdom
... and offered up burnt offerings, and offered peace offerings, and made ... First, the
reasons for the large gift; and second ... is always true,"that the people who do ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/a young mans wise choice.htm

Princely Service.
... treasury, many that were rich cast in large sums of ... princely offering for a sacrifice
of peace-offerings; two oxen ... as it were, together with His people, and in ...
/.../taylor/separation and service/part iii princely service.htm

The Attack on the Book of Leviticus.
... them, neither will I regard the peace offerings of your ... Again, enumerating the sins
of the people, Amos charges them ... The critics demand large credulity from us ...
/.../concerning the assumptions of destructive criticism/v the attack on the.htm

Interpretation of Prophecy.
... A large part of the prophecies of the Old Testament indicate in their very structure
that ... The reference is to the peace-offerings of the people, on which ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxxviii interpretation of prophecy.htm

The Blood of the Testament
... That first covenant was to a large degree a ... which offered burnt offerings, and
sacrificed peace offerings of oxen ... read in the audience of the people: and they ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 58 1912/the blood of the testament.htm

One Worker Preparing for Another
... The Lord has a large army of the soldiers ... David's great sin in numbering the people;
and they ... LORD, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings, and called ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 38 1892/one worker preparing for another.htm

The Synoptic Gospels
... in which God makes a covenant with his people. ... guilt offerings, but burnt offerings
and peace offerings, it is ... So, in substance, a large school of critics and ...
/.../denney/the death of christ/chapter 1 the synoptic gospels.htm

What is a peace offering / fellowship offering? | GotQuestions.org

What is a free will offering / freewill offering? | GotQuestions.org

What were the various sacrifices in the Old Testament? | GotQuestions.org

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