What is the meaning of Leviticus 3:9? And from the peace offering - The peace (or fellowship) offering celebrated harmony between God and His people (Leviticus 7:11-16). - It followed burnt and grain offerings that dealt with sin and dedication (Leviticus 1–2), showing that peace with God rests on prior atonement (Romans 5:1). - This offering was voluntary, expressing thanksgiving, fulfillment of vows, or simple joy in God’s presence (Psalm 116:17-18). - Because Christ “Himself is our peace” (Ephesians 2:14), every Old-Testament peace offering whispers of His completed work on the cross (Colossians 1:20). he shall bring a food offering to the LORD - “Bring” highlights personal responsibility; worship is never passive (Hebrews 13:15-16). - Described as a “food offering,” it is pictured as nourishment enjoyed by God (Malachi 1:7); only the best is suitable for Him (Genesis 4:4). - The priest mediated the worshiper’s gift, foreshadowing Christ, our ultimate High Priest (Hebrews 4:14-16). consisting of its fat - In Scripture, fat represents richness and abundance; God claimed it exclusively (Leviticus 3:16; 7:23-25). - By surrendering the choicest part, the worshiper affirmed that every “best” thing belongs first to the LORD (Proverbs 3:9; Philippians 4:18). - Refusing to eat the fat underlined separation from pagan practices and honored God’s holiness (Leviticus 19:37). the entire fat tail cut off close to the backbone - Certain Near-Eastern sheep stored much fat in the tail; nothing of that prized portion was to be kept back (Exodus 29:22). - The careful cutting “close to the backbone” insists on thorough obedience—partial sacrifice is no sacrifice (Luke 6:38). - God invites complete devotion, not token offerings (Mark 12:30). the fat that covers the entrails - Hidden, interior fat symbolizes the unseen life of the heart (Psalm 51:6). - God’s claim on inner parts reminds us He examines motives, not merely actions (Hebrews 4:13; Matthew 23:26). - True fellowship with God involves integrity at the deepest level. all the fat that is on them - The repeated word “all” stresses total consecration; nothing is to be reserved for self (Leviticus 4:8-10). - Such wholehearted giving prefigures presenting our “bodies as a living sacrifice” (Romans 12:1). - The early believers modeled this by first giving themselves to the Lord (2 Corinthians 8:5). summary Leviticus 3:9 portrays a worshiper who, having found peace with God, gladly brings the choicest portions—the visible and the hidden, the external and internal—placing everything on the altar. By reserving all the fat for Himself, God teaches that He deserves our very best and our whole selves. In Christ, the true Peace Offering, we now rejoice in restored fellowship and respond with undivided devotion. |
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