Leviticus 3King James Version
The peace offering. A way to give thanks. A bull or a sheep or a goat. The fat and the kidneys are burned on the altar. The meat is eaten by the offerer and his family in the presence of the Lord. The only offering the worshipper actually shares in.
The peace offering covers cattle, sheep, or goats. The fat, kidneys, and the appendage of the liver belong to God and are burned. The blood is dashed against the altar. Unlike the burnt offering, this is a shared meal: parts go to God, parts to the priest, parts to the worshiper. It is worship as communion.
The peace offering is a meal at God's table. It enacts restored relationship, not only atonement.
3:17 "It shall be a perpetual statute for your generations throughout all your dwellings, that ye eat neither fat nor blood." The prohibition is a permanent marker that the life belongs to God, not the worshiper.
Sinai, tabernacle court. The fat burning on the altar sent a distinct aroma. The worshiper and family would roast and eat their portion the same day or the next, turning the act of sacrifice into a household meal centered on sacred presence.
God to Moses. No named worshipers. The offering protocol assumes a community of participants: offerer, priest, and God all receive portions.
The peace offering is the only sacrifice where the person who brings it actually eats. That changes its entire meaning. Atonement and the burnt offering clear the path; the peace offering is what you do once you are standing on cleared ground with God.
For when you need to remember that relationship with God is not only about what you owe. The peace offering is a feast. Bring something and sit down.
1And 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.
2And 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 upon the altar round about.
3And he shall offer of the sacrifice of the peace offering an offering made by fire unto the LORD; the fat that covereth the inwards, and all the fat that is upon the inwards,
4And 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.
5And 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 savour unto the LORD.
6And if his offering for a sacrifice of peace offering unto the LORD be of the flock; male or female, he shall offer it without blemish.
7If he offer a lamb for his offering, then shall he offer it before the LORD.
8And 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 upon the altar.
9And 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 covereth the inwards, and all the fat that is upon the inwards,
10And 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.
11And the priest shall burn it upon the altar: it is the food of the offering made by fire unto the LORD.
12And if his offering be a goat, then he shall offer it before the LORD.
13And 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 upon the altar round about.
14And he shall offer thereof his offering, even an offering made by fire unto the LORD; the fat that covereth the inwards, and all the fat that is upon the inwards,
15And 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.
16And 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.
17It shall be a perpetual statute for your generations throughout all your dwellings, that ye eat neither fat nor blood.