Taking A Closer Look at the Peace Offering in Leviticus 3:1

Sequence matters in the Bible.  I learned that recently from my Life-Study reading.   I've been reading the Bible since I was in junior high, and I'm still struggling through certain places.  And I still don't get everything, but I keep reading, and I have formed a habit of reading Witness Lee's Life-Studies because they open up the word of God like no other Christian books I've ever read.   

Winter sunset

Before we get going, here's a few of the verses on the peace offering in chapter 3 of Leviticus:

If his offering is a sacrifice of a peace offering-if he offers it from the herd, whether male or female, he shall offer it without blemish before Jehovah.  Aaron's sons shall offer it up in smoke on the altar upon the burnt offering, which is on the wood that is on the fire; it is an offering by fire of a satisfying fragrance to Jehovah. Leviticus 3:1, 5

In these excerpts from pages  153-154 from chapter 17 of the Life-Study of Leviticus, you'll see what the sequence really shows:  

In Leviticus the offerings are in a particular sequence. First we have the burnt offering and then the meal offering and then the peace offering. The burnt offering signifies that we must be absolutely for God, and the meal offering indicates that Christ is our daily food. When we are absolutely for God and live by feeding on Christ, the result is peace.  We have peace with God and with one another. This means that when Christ satisfies us, He becomes the peace between us and God....The peace offering is based upon God's satisfaction in the burnt offering....The blood of the peace offering was dashed on the altar all around (vv. 2, 8, 13). This indicates that the blood is for peace in the offerer's conscience. This blood was not brought into the Holy of Holies to appease God; it was dashed around the altar where the offerer was standing....When we see the blood of the peace offering, we have the assurance that our sins have been washed away. The blood of the offering was shed for our sake, and it is now before our eyes. Therefore, we can say, 'Thank You, Lord. My sins have been forgiven. I know this because I see Your blood. The blood is the evidence that God has forgiven my sins (Lee, Witness. Life-Study of Leviticus. Anaheim: Living Stream Ministry, 1989, Print).  

     This picture shows us  that we can have peace with God and know for sure that He has forgiven all our sins.  When we don't have peace, it's hard to have boldness to come to God. Many times in the face of Satan's accusation I have spoken by faith Hebrews 10:22:  Let us come forward to the Holy of Holies with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.  And that has really helped me. 

 You can listen to excerpts of Witness Lee's speaking the Life-Study of Leviticus on Life Study of the Bible  with Witness Lee.   You can also read the online Life-Studies of Leviticus and check out other resources available to enhance your study of the Bible on Living Stream Ministry's website.

Other Posts on Leviticus:

What is the Purpose of the Offerings in Leviticus 1:2?
Why Does Leviticus Start with the Burnt Offering in Leviticus 1:4?
What is the spiritual Meaning of the Meal Offering in Leviticus 2:1?
Taking a Closer Look at the Peace Offering in Leviticus 3:1
What Do You Know About Christ as the Sin Offering? 
What is the Meaning of the Trespass Offering in Leviticus 5?