Leviticus 7:22-38
IN THESE verses (22-27) God reminds His people that the fat and the blood were not to be eaten they were for God alone. The fat was the best part of the animal and is typical of the inward energy and will of the Lord Jesus in His offering Himself to God. There was that in the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus which was for man, but there was that also which was for God only, which only He could appreciate.
Neither could the blood be eaten, for “the life is in the blood,” “the blood is the life,” and the life goes back to God who gave it. How solemn a truth we have here, especially to those who live without Christ, who die in their sins, and hope they will not have to meet God as Judge. But meet Him they surely will, as His Word plainly declares, for “after death the judgment.” How dreadful for that life to return to God stained with the sins of years, the sinner to be judged at the great white throne and to be consigned everlastingly to the lake of fire.
Yet how precious to the believer to know that the blood of Christ has cleansed him from all his sins and made him “whiter than snow.” The holy light of God’s presence only brings out the perfection of the work of Christ in redemption, and shows how pure and spotless he now is in His sight.
The blood then here also speaks of the life of the blessed Lord Jesus laid down for the glory of God and for the sinner’s blessing. Thus there was to be no abuse in that which was sacred to God.
Then we have something further as to the peace offering. The “wave breast” was for Aaron and his sons, the whole priestly family; the “heave shoulder” was for the offering priest. Both speak of Christ His affections and His strength, the eternal portion of His people, for He “hath made us kings and priests unto God and His Father.” (Rev. 1:6).
We are told that the “heave shoulder” was moved up and down, while the “wave breast” was waved from side to side. These actions were “before the Lord,” and this would tell us that those who moved these offerings were really in His presence, with their hands filled with Christ.
Primarily the “offering priest” speaks of Christ, and thus He and His own in nearness to God enjoy the love together. He has His special joy in sustaining us who are weak but who are “more than conquerors through Him that loved us.”
Thus we have presented here in this portion a very precious picture, enjoyed in the church now by faith but in its fullest measure in the coming glory — God will have His portion, Christ His, and His redeemed will be enjoying Him and all the fullness of His work of redemption for which He gave Himself upon the cross. To praise Him, and God the Father who gave Him, will be our blest occupation throughout that long and endless eternity.
Rest, Lord, in serving Thee,
As none have served below;
Oh, through that blest eternity
What tides of praise shall flow!
ML-10/03/1971