And he said unto Aaron, Take thee a young calf for a sin offering, and a ram for a burnt offering, without blemish, and offer them before the Lord. And unto the children of Israel thou shalt speak, saying, Take ye a kid of the goats for a sin offering; and a calf and a lamb, both of the first year, without blemish, for a burnt offering; 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 unto you(Lev. 9:2-4).
Up until this point, all that we have read of the sacrificial offerings of the Tabernacle are ‘textbook’ instructions to the priests— detailed explanations of what they were required to do and how they were required to do it. In chapter nine, we find that the time for theoretical lessons has passed. The Tabernacle is completely assembled, the consecration of the priests is completed, and it is time for Aaron and his sons to assume their priestly duties. Fittingly, the first acts required of Aaron as high priest is to make atonement for himself and the congregation, in that order, and then to offer peace offerings in celebratory thanksgiving of the fact that the Lord was in their midst.
The Hebrew word for peace is Shalom, a word that encompasses much more than a mere harmonious relationship. Shalom implies the conditions of happiness, contentment, and rest. For example, Jesus promised all of these things (and more!) to His disciples when He said, These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world (John 16:33).
The peace offering was always the last to be given unto God. It was not a required offering of atonement but rather was willingly given to God in gratitude for all He had done. Although the offering was always voluntary, there were times when it was considered customary to make the offering, such as in response to an answered prayer or in connection with the fulfillment of a vow (Lev. 7:12-16). As Aaron stood before the people on this monumental day, he sacrificed a bullock and a ram for peace offerings, followed by a meat offering mingled with oil (9:4). And Aaron lifted up his hand toward the people, and blessed them, and came down from offering of the sin offering, and the burnt offering, and peace offerings. And Moses and Aaron went into the tabernacle of the congregation, and came out, and blessed the people: and the glory of the Lord appeared unto all the people (9:22-23).
What came next for the congregation would have been a joyous feast of fellowship and celebration, in keeping with the laws of the peace offering (7:15,16). All who participated would have left feeling refreshed and renewed through their fellowship with one another and their communion with God.
The peace and fellowship promoted by this offering are still very much relevant to Christians today. When we submit our will to the will of God, we are blessed with a peace so profound and all-encompassing that we are immediately overwhelmed by the need to share it with our family, friends, and neighbors so that they, too, might come to know the wondrous love of the God we serve.
Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid(John 14:27).
Thought for Today: God does not grant peace as a reward for tithes and offerings, but it readily falls on those who serve with humility and a thankful heart.
Christ Revealed:Through the sacrifice of a lamb without defect (Lev. 9:3). Behold the Lamb of God, which (who) taketh away the sin of the world (John 1:29).
Word Studies:9:21 wave offering = special lifted high above the priest's head before the Lord; 10:3 sanctified = treated as holy; will be glorified = must be given honor; 10:6 rend = tear; bewail = express sorrow.
Pray For StaffRyan McCrary • Government Official: Rep. Sanford Bishop (GA), Rep. Michael Guest(MS), Rep.Claudia Tenney(NY) • Country: Rwanda (12,337,138) Central Africa • Major Languages: Kinyarwanda, French, English • Religious Freedom • 49.5% Roman Catholic; 39.4% Protestant; 4.5% Other Christian; 1.8% Muslim; 0.1% Animist; 0.6% Other; 3.6% None; 0.5% Unspecified • Prayer Suggestion: Confess and forsake all sin (Is. 59:12-13).
Optional Reading:Mark 7