Leviticus 3-4:2
We learn in all these instructions as to the offerings of the Lord just how careful one must be in order to be a partaker, and while we are not under law now, surely the wondrous grace of God which has now been revealed would not make us any less careful. Unless we judge every defiling thing in our lives we will not enjoy communion with the Lord, any more than an Israelite could eat of the peace offering when he was defiled. Even to maintain a connection as a partaker with groups of professing Christians where evil is knowingly allowed would defile us. May the Lord give us a deeper concern about what is suited to those who have “fellowship with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ” (1 John 1:3).
Sharing Christ With Others
The man who offered the peace offering could eat the flesh of it himself, as well as inviting other clean persons to share it with him. This, too, is instructive, for when we have enjoyed something of the sweetness of Christ ourselves it is increasingly precious when we share it with others. May we encourage you to share what you are enjoying with others. It always does us good to meet those who have some precious thoughts about the love of Christ to pass on, and each one of us can do this in our measure.
The children of Israel were forbidden to keep the flesh of the peace offering until the next day. It had to be eaten on the same day, except in the case of a vow, and then, because of this special energy of faith, they could keep it until the second day, but no longer. Sometimes when there is a special spiritual energy, the enjoyment of a particular portion may remain with us, but very often it is just enjoyed in fullness at the time. No doubt we have all enjoyed this special portion on occasion, but even then to keep over to the “third day” was forbidden and evil. The most precious truths are empty and even hateful when they become cold formalities or doctrines held apart from the energy of the Spirit working in us.
Sin Offering
Next comes the sin offering. After giving us the burnt offering, the meal offering, and the peace offering, all presenting more particularly God’s side of things, we now come to that which has to do with the way our deep need as sinners has been met. What a blessed thing it is for the soul to see that the work of Christ has fully met our need, and that, not according to what our measure of sin is, but according to God’s. God in His infinite holiness must punish sin, but when the offender offered the sacrifice which God Himself required, he could be sure that God’s righteous claims were satisfied. Of course we need hardly remark here that the blood of all these annual sacrifices could never put away sin, but when we see that these types point on to Christ, all the details and instructions are full of interest for us. How perfectly His work in putting away sin has met all God’s righteous claims and brought us near.
Sins of Ignorance
Some would tell us that a wrong act could not be called a sin unless you knew it was a sin, but we see at the very outset that a sacrifice was required for sins of ignorance. Let us always remember that God measures sin according to His own standard, and not ours.
For Further Meditation
1. When could a peace offering be eaten the day after it was offered?
2. Virtually everyone enjoys fresh fruit, enthusiasm, ideas and energy. Our God delights in that same newness of our love and enjoyment of Him. What has He done to help us enjoy Him in a real and fresh way each day?
3. Another classic and comprehensive book covering the offerings and much more can be found in The Tabernacle, The Priesthood and the Offerings by H. W. Soltau. You won’t read it through in a night, but all the truth it presents wouldn’t be absorbed that quickly anyway. You will find it to be very profitable reading.