Leviticus 3
Peace (Fellowship) offering from the herdverses 1-5
And if his oblation be a sacrifice of peace offering
if he offer it of the herd – whether it be a male or female
he shall offer it WITHOUT BLEMISH before the LORD
And he shall lay his hand upon the head of his offering
and kill it at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation
and Aaron’s sons the priests shall sprinkle the blood
on the altar round about
And he shall offer of the sacrifice of the peace offering an offering
made by fire unto the LORD – the fat that covers the inwards
and all the fat that is upon the inwards – and the two kidneys
and the fat that is on them – which is by the flanks
and the caul above the liver – with the kidneys
it shall he take away
And Aaron’s sons shall burn it on the altar on the burnt sacrifice
which is on the wood that is on the fire
it is an offering made by fire
of a sweet savor to the LORD
Peace offering from the flockverses 6-11
And if his offering for a sacrifice of peace offering to the
LORD be of the flock male or female
he shall offer it WITHOUT BLEMISH
If he offer a lamb for his offering
THEN shall he offer it before the LORD
And he shall lay his hand upon the head of his offering
and kill it before the tabernacle of the congregation
and Aaron’s sons shall sprinkle the blood thereof
round about on the altar
And he shall offer of the sacrifice of the peace offering an offering
made by fire unto the LORD
the fat thereof – and the whole rump
it shall he take off hard by the backbone
And the fat that covers the inwards
and all the fat that is upon the inwards – and the two kidneys
and the fat that is upon them – which is by the flanks
and caul above the liver – with the kidneys
it shall he take away
And the priest shall burn it upon the altar
it is the food of the offering made by fire unto the LORD
Peace offering of a goatverses 12-16
And if his offering be a GOAT – then he shall offer it before the LORD
and he shall lay his hand upon the head of it
and kill it before the tabernacle of the congregation
and the sons of Aaron shall sprinkle the blood
thereof on the altar round about
And he shall offer thereof his offering
even an offering made by fire unto the LORD
the fat that covers the inwards
and all the fat that is on the inwards
and the two kidneys
and the fat that is upon them
which is by the flanks
and the caul above the liver
with the kidneys it shall he take away
And the priest shall burn them on the altar
it is the food of the offering made by fire for a sweet savor
all the fat is the LORD’S
Command to never eat fat or bloodverse 17
It shall be a PERPETUAL statute for your generations throughout all
your dwellings – that you eat neither fat nor blood
COMMENTARY:
DAILY SPIRITUAL BREAKFAST: Young Believers
: 1 And if his oblation be a sacrifice of peace offering, if he offer it of the herd; whether it be a male or female, he shall offer it without blemish before the LORD. (7133 “oblation” [qorban] means offering, sacrifice, gift, or an offering made to the God of Israel whether the sacrificial offering of an animal or produce)
DEVOTION: There was no atonement associated with this offering therefore it could be a male or a female sacrifice. It was presented to the priest who had a portion of the offering but the fat, kidneys, liver were all to be burned. The blood was to be sprinkled on the altar.
Included in the descriptions was the fact that it was to be “without blemish.” So even in a fellowship offering there had to be an examination that would make sure that the animal was right.
Our fellowship has to be just right as well. It should be without the wrong motives or actions. We should want to have fellowship with one another. We should want to show love for one another.
It seems that the fellowship offering was offered to make sure the people had fellowship with the priests at that time. In the early days of the church there were fellowship dinners in the church. It was even a habit to invite the pastor of the church over for dinner on a regular basis.
Many times these dinners turned in a time to roast the preachers. Our conversations should always be encouraging with regard to our pastors. Every member of the church should try to have the preacher over for a good dinner at least once a year. If you can’t cook it would be good to take them out for the meal.
Fellowship is very important in the eyes of the writers of the New Testament. Here it is important between the priest and the giver of the offering. God wants us to fellowship together as often as is possible.
The Israelites seemed to celebrate special occasions when they gave this offering.
CHALLENGE: When we have special occasions we can include our leaders in our times of celebration.
DAILY SPIRITUAL LUNCH: Transitional Believers
:5 And Aaron’s sons shall burn it on the altar upon the burnt sacrifice, which is upon the wood that is on the fire: it is an offering made by fire, of a sweet savor unto the Lord. (801 “an offering made by fire” [ʾishshah] means burnt-offering, offering made by fire, fire offering. [Strong, J. (1995). Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon. Woodside Bible Fellowship].)
DEVOTION: Burnt offerings were designed by nature to be burned up! It is clear that God arranged that the fire would take away all that was put on the fire, as a way of symbolizing that the worshipper was giving up the rights to the offering in its totality. As the fire consumed the offering, the worshipper could realize that the offering was being accepted by God.
In the same way, God wishes to purify us, even through the fires of testing and temptation (1 Peter 1:7). As we make our bodies an offering to the Lord, we can expect that He will bring fire in our lives in order to make us more like Him and to test our faith. The purpose of testing our faith is never for God to see if we will withstand the test, but always to have us succeed in trusting Him fully with our lives and coming out of the testing and trials stronger in our faith as a result of having obeyed Him fully during the test (James 1:2).
The first example of this was God calling Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac on the altar at Mount Moriah. Abraham demonstrated his willingness to do so (and Isaac demonstrated his willingness to be sacrificed), and yet God intervened after Abraham had demonstrated his faith in Him (Hebrews 11:17-19). The test was an extreme one for Abraham, and yet God sustained His faith through it. In the same way, God sustains our faith in the midst of the most difficult trial that He allows us to be put in.
CHALLENGE: Is God purifying you in some way today? If so, resolve to be as pure as God wants you to be (1 John 3:3). (MW)
: 11 And the priest shall burn it on the altar; it is the food of the offering made by fire to the LORD. (6999 “burn” [qatar] means incense, offer, kindle, make sacrifices smoke, or to offer odors.)
DEVOTION: Offerings are always made to the LORD first and foremost. The giver of the offering was doing something that he thought would please the LORD. When the priest offered up the sacrifice it was done with fire. The offering would cause the LORD to smell the sweet aroma of the offering.
This was the proper food for God. The offering of one of HIS servants was to show his dedication to the LORD. It was one more way the people of Israel could show the LORD their love for HIS provision for them.
God wants us to know that we owe HIM everything and when we offer HIM part of our wealth HE knows we appreciate HIM.
CHALLENGE: We are telling HIM that we truly want to have fellowship with HIM on a regular basis because we are thankful for all that HE is doing for us.
DAILY SPIRITUAL SUPPER: Mature Believers
: 16 And the priest shall burn them upon the altar: it is the food of the offering made by fire for a sweet savour: all the fat is the LORD’S. (3899 “food” [lechem] means bread, meat, grain, shew-bread, wheat, nourishment, provision, loaf, or victuals)
DEVOTION: The fat of this offering was the only thing that was offered to the LORD. The blood was sprinkled on the altar. The flesh of the animal was shared between the priest and the giver of the animal. Both would have a meal from the sacrifice. It is the only sacrifice that the giver had a part.
The other name for this offering is “fellowship offering” which meant that the priest and the give had a connection. It also was used by some to invite others to a meal.
So we have an offering commanded of the LORD that caused fellowship between God and the giver and the giver and the priest and also others could be involved in the eating of the meat.
The church is to have fellowship dinners where all the congregation get together to show their love for one another. It was also called a love feast. The feast was usually after a communion service.
The problem the early church had in Corinth was that everyone brought food but the ones who were wealthy eat their food and let those who were poor not have anything that they had brought. So the rich were eating their normal food and the poor were eating their normal food without a real attitude of love and sharing.
God wants us to share what we have with others. When this is done in church everyone eats all the different type of food brought by both the rich and poor.
Also our homes are to be places where there should be a sharing of food with others in the church. We had a couple in our last church that would take visitors out for a meal after church. If there was any visitors, they would invite them to have fellowship with them.
CHALLENGE: Our responsibility is to share what we have with others around a meal at times. Usually it is better to invite someone who doesn’t have a lot to come have fellowship with you.
: 17 It shall be a perpetual statute for your generations throughout all your dwellings, that ye eat neither fat nor blood. (5769 “perpetual” [‘olam] means concealed, eternity, always, continuance, or at any time)
DEVOTION: These first three offerings are different from one another. The burnt offering had to be a male only. It was wholly burnt up on the altar. The grain offering was only part burned on the altar and the priests eat the rest. Now the peace or fellowship (or thanksgiving or votive or freewill) offering could be male or female. The only part of the offering that was burnt on the altar was the fat of the animal. The rest was given to the people to eat in a time of fellowship with one another. The offering of the fat signified the best of the animal was given to the LORD. The blood of the animal was to be sprinkled on the altar.
The LORD was establishing rules for the Israelites to follow for their protection. The Israelites were not to eat any fat or blood. These seem to be health issues for the Israelites. The LORD was protecting them from health problems. There are rules that are for all time. These rules never change.
God never changes. Some of his dealings with men change, as far as, ceremonial rules and other such rules but there are rules that stay continual.
The Ten Commandments were divided into our relationship with God and our relationship with men. Jesus told the Pharisees that the two greatest commandments were a combination of this division. The only thing that changed was the day that we worshiped the LORD.
We celebrate on the first day of the week because of the resurrection of Christ from the grave. The children of Israel celebrated on the seventh day to commemorate the rest that God took after creating the world in the first six days.
They remembered the Creator of the universe. We remember the Redeemer of those who are followers of the LORD. We must never forget that God created the world in six twenty-four – hour periods. This is being challenged by even some who say they believe the Bible.
We have to offer our best to the LORD. We should never just offer the LORD our leftovers. We need fellowship with one another and that was the purpose of this offering. CHALLENGE: Our first fellowship should be with God and then with each other.
DISCIPLINES OF THE FAITH:
BODY
Chastity (Purity in living)
Fasting (Time alone with LORD without eating or drinking)
Sacrifice (Giving up something we want to serve the LORD)
Submission (Willing to listen to others and LORD)
Solitude (Going to a quiet place without anyone)
SOUL
Fellowship (Gathering together around the Word of God)
Frugality (wise use of resources)
Journalizing (Writing down what you have learned from the LORD)
Study and Meditation (Thinking through your study in the Word)
Secrecy (Doing your good deeds without others knowing but God)
SPIRIT
Celebration (Gathering around a special occasion to worship LORD)
Confession (Tell the LORD we are sorry for our sins on a daily basis)
Prayer (Conversation with God on a personal level)
Silence (Letting the LORD deal with some problems and needs)
Worship (Time to praise the LORD alone or in a group)
Peace offeringverses 1-17
Herd or Flock or goat
Without blemish
Kill at door of tabernacle
Sprinkle blood on altar
DOCTRINES OF THE FAITH:
Scripture (66 inerrant books of the Bible)
God the Father (First person of the Godhead)
LORD (Jehovah)verses 1, 3, 5-7, 9, 11, 12, 14, 16
God the Son (Second person of the Godhead – God/man, Messiah)
Without blemishverses 1, 6
God the Holy Spirit (Third person of the Godhead – our comforter)
Trinity (Three persons of the Godhead who are co-equal = ONE God)
Angels (Created before the foundation of the world – Good and Evil)
Man (Created on the sixth twenty-four hour period of creation)
Sin (Missing the mark set by God on man and angels)
Eating fatverse 17
Eating bloodverse 17
Salvation (Provided by Christ’s death on the cross for our sins)
Israel (Old Testament people of God)
Peace offering: blood sacrificeverses 1-17
Tabernacle of the congregationverses 2, 8, 13
Aaron’s sons (priests)verses 2, 5, 8, 11, 13
Altar of burnt sacrificeverse 5
Sweet savor unto the LORDverses 5, 16
All the fat is the LORD’Sverse 16
Church (New Testament people of God)
Last Things (Future Events)
Perpetual statuteverse 17
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QUOTES regarding passage
That leads to our third distinctive feature: the fellowship offering is the only offering that was shared with the worshipers. (Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). Be Holy (pp. 23–24). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)
The peace offering meal, however, meant more than the enjoyment of good food and fellowship with loved ones. It was also an expression of joyful thanksgiving that the worshiper was at peace with God and in communion with God.(Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). Be Holy (p. 24). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)
The fellowship offering emphasized the fact that the forgiveness of sins resulted in communion with God and with God’s people. (Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). Be Holy (p. 24). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)
‘Peace offering’ (rsv) is still widely used, and suggests that the purpose was to establish or maintain peace, i.e. good relations, between the worshipper and God. Fellowship offering (niv, gnb; cf. ‘shared-offering’ neb) points more in the direction of healthy relationships among those who offer it, and is based on the fact that this particular offering was the occasion of a family party enjoying the infrequent treat of a feast of meat. Personal reasons for bringing a fellowship offering are listed in 7:11–18 and included thanksgiving, the fulfilment of a vow, or just any occasion for a freewill offering (e.g. 1 Sa. 1). (Carson, D. A., France, R. T., Motyer, J. A., & Wenham, G. J. (Eds.). (1994). New Bible commentary: 21st century edition (4th ed., p. 126). Leicester, England; Downers Grove, IL: Inter-Varsity Press.)
At any rate, the presentation of a fellowship offering was conditioned on a worshiper’s having first met the requirements of expiation (through a sin or guilt offering) and dedication (through burnt and grain offerings). The proper classification for the fellowship offering and its subcategories (thanksgiving, votive, and freewill offerings) is that of communal offerings because of the communal meal which climaxed the sacrifice. (Lindsey, F. D. (1985). Leviticus. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 1, p. 178). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)
FROM MY READING:
(Remember the only author that I totally agree with is the HOLY SPIRIT in the inerrant WORD OF GOD called THE BIBLE! All other I try to gleam what I can to help me grow in the LORD!!)
HEAVEN is a place on Earth by Michael E. Wittmer
No matter how carefully we study the Bible and logically piece together our theology, there will always be something left over, something we can’t easily understand, when we’re done. (p. 48)
As we will learn in this chapter, purchasing Christianized candy, clothes, toys, and games is not only a questionable use of money, but, on a deeper level, may also be an indication of bad theology. (p. 52)
John’s number one opponent was Cerinthus, a Gnostic teacher who believed that the divine Christ had entered the human Jesus after his birth and departed before his crucifixion. (p. 58)
The early church knew what many contemporary evangelicals have apparently forgotten: If we’re wrong about creation, we don’t stand a chance to ever understand the gospel. (p. 59)
Can you see how many inroads Gnostic attitudes have made into evangelical churches? If this physical world is the problem, then what is the solution? To get out of this place, just as the Gnostics believed. But if the problem is not this earth but our sin, then the solution is to remain engaged in the world, leading fully human lives as we follow the perfect human, Jesus Christ, who came to this world to cross out our sin and save the planet. (p. 61)
The ANALYZED BIBLE by G. Campbell Morgan D.D.
This is a book of laws. It has been aptly called the handbook of the priests. Its Hebrew title, Vayyikra, which means “And He called,” is the first phrase of the book itself.
It, moreover, reveals that fact that there can only be worship through propitiation, because man is a sinner.
As to the offerings, five were needed to perfectly unfold the meaning and method of personal dedication. The first was the burnt offering, which suggested the need for perfect dedication. The lamb without blemish consumed by fire indicated the necessity of a dedication perfect in quality and quantity. The meal offering was the work of men’s hands, of the fruits of the ground, the result of cultivation, manufacture, and preparation, suggesting that dedication necessitated the offering of a perfect service as well as a perfect life. Of the peace offering, part was burned by fire and part consumed by the worshipper. It was the symbol of communion. In the white light of the Divine holiness, sin is sin, whether it be willful or not; and the sin offering was provided to teach that the failure of those dedicated to God must yet be dealt with on the basis of sacrifice. The trespass offering was provided for definite acts of wrongdoing. Trespass in this connection is more than a mere missing of the mark. It includes the thought of positive and willful wrongdoing. (p. 54-55)
Two possible reasons have been offered for the prohibition of leaven: (1) leavened material along with honey would be prone to ferment and decay and thus would change the nature of the offering, and (2) leaven and honey were used in pagan worship practices in the ancient Near East, so they were prohibited in the Israelite religion. (Rooker, M. F. (2000). Leviticus (Vol. 3A, p. 97). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers)
The cereal offerings were thus a major source of support for the priests, who did not own land and, therefore, had no means of growing their own crops. (Carson, D. A., France, R. T., Motyer, J. A., & Wenham, G. J. (Eds.). (1994). New Bible commentary: 21st century edition (4th ed., p. 126). Leicester, England; Downers Grove, IL: Inter-Varsity Press.)
It may be that both yeast and honey were used in processes of fermentation and thus were symbolic of corruption. This view is strengthened by the command to add salt, since salt was certainly a preservative agent in the ancient world. Salt was symbolic not only of the stemming of corruption, but also of permanence. (Carson, D. A., France, R. T., Motyer, J. A., & Wenham, G. J. (Eds.). (1994). New Bible commentary: 21st century edition (4th ed., p. 126). Leicester, England; Downers Grove, IL: Inter-Varsity Press.)
This variety of three utensils and four types of bread was apparently designed to encourage worshipers to bring their offerings whatever their economic or social circumstances. (Lindsey, F. D. (1985). Leviticus. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 1, p. 177). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)
However, all the offerings for the altar were to include salt, apparently symbolic of Israel’s covenant relationship with God (the salt of the covenant of your God), which was the foundation of the Levitical sacrificial system. Since salt was regarded in the ancient Near East as not being destructible by fire, “a covenant of salt” seems to refer to an eternal covenant (Num. 18:19; 2 Chron. 13:5). (Lindsey, F. D. (1985). Leviticus. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 1, p. 177). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)
Acts 18
Paul embarks on his third journey that takes him first to Ephesus.
INSIGHT
Apollos combines the eloquence of the Greek with the religious instinct of the Jew. Most likely a student from the great university at Alexandria, Apollos is a convert to the Gospel, deeply conversant with the Old Testament. Gifted with marvelous eloquence, he is a strong ally of the Christian forces of his age. But he needs to understand the death, resurrection, and ascended power of Christ. Aquila and Priscilla teach Apollos these things. How wonderful is that holy wisdom that the Spirit of God gives to humble believers so that they can become teachers of men who are intellectually their superiors! When teaching children or new believers, encourage them and have hope that some may become “might y in the Scriptures” (v. 24) (Quiet Walk)
NAMES AND WORSHIP
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Matthew 28:19
Further evidence for the deity of Christ is the way in which the names of God the Father and Jesus Christ the Son are coupled together. There are several examples of this. Christ Himself said, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.” Romans 1:7 speaks of “God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.” In 2 Corinthians 13:14, in the so-called apostolic benediction, we read, “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all.” First Thessalonians 3:11 says, “Now God himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way unto you.” And, indeed, you will find it in James 1:1, “James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ.”
A further piece of evidence supporting the divinity of Christ is that divine worship is ascribed to Him. He accepted such worship from men and women when He was on earth. You will find that in Matthew 28:9 and in Luke 24:52. But you get it also by way of exhortation in 1 Corinthians 1:2 where Paul refers to “all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.” That is worship. In 2 Corinthians 12:8-9 Paul tells us, “For this thing I besought the Lord thrice”–that this is the Lord Jesus Christ is quite clear from the context. In Acts 7:59 we read of Stephen, as he was being stoned, “And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Indeed, our Lord Himself already prepared us for all this when He said, “That all men should honor the Son, even as they honor the Father” (John 5:23).
A Thought to Ponder: The names of God the Father and Jesus Christ the Son are coupled together. (From God the Father, God the Son, pp. 269-270, by Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones)
Understanding the Times
“And of the children of Issachar, which were men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do; the heads of them were two hundred; and all their brethren were at their commandment.” (1 Chronicles 12:32)
This chapter lists the numbers of men from each of the tribes of Israel who cast their lot with David in his conflict with King Saul. All these numbers are given except those of Issachar, but of these it was said that all their brethren followed their 200 leaders in turning to David. The reason for their unanimity in this decision was that these leaders “had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do.” It was time to “turn the kingdom” to David, “according to the word of the LORD” (1 Chronicles 12:23). God had given them a Benjamite, Saul, as king for a time, but now David had been anointed, and it was the time to give “the sceptre” to Judah, according to the prophecy of their father, Jacob, given over 600 years before (Genesis 49:10).
How desperately we need leaders today who are spiritual “sons of Issachar,” understanding these times! Christ told the apostles: “It is not for you to know the times or the seasons” (Acts 1:7); it was more urgent that they proceed to witness for Him “unto the uttermost part of the earth” (v. 8).
Nevertheless, He would return to the earth in some generation, and that generation should be expected (when they would see all these things) to “know that it is near, even at the doors” (Matthew 24:33). They could understand the signs, and even though they should never attempt to guess the date, they could “look up…for your redemption draweth nigh” (Luke 21:28) when they would see “these things begin to come to pass.”
The signs are everywhere, yet few of our leaders—even many Christian politicians—seem to understand the real meaning of these times. Christ is “even at the doors!”
(HMM, The Institute for Creation Research)
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