The Beauty of the Peace Offering (in Light of the Anxieties of Life)

The Lord Reaching Out with a Plan for Peace  

For the law is a shadow of the good things to come, and not the very image of those things. It could never by the same sacrifices, which they offer continually year after year, perfect those who draw near. 

-Hebrews 10:1

When we look at the offerings under the Law (given to Israel), we must always note that these are but shadows. But we must also note that these are shadows of a reality. And that reality is found in the superiority of Christ' once-for-all perfect sacrifice.

then He said, “See, I have come to do Your will, O God.” He takes away the first that He may establish the second. By this will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. But every priest stands daily ministering and repetitively offering the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God. Since that time He has been waiting for His enemies to be made His footstool. For by one offering He has forever perfected those who are sanctified.

-Hebrews 10:9-14 

The question may arise, if the Law was given to Israel and not to the nations, do we extend the Law and shadows of the sacrifices to Israel alone? This question is answered when we recognize Israel's role in God's plan. God had called out Abraham, not to redeem him alone, but to redeem all who follow him in like faith. 

Furthermore, God called out the nation of Israel to a royal priesthood. The role of a priest is as a mediator. This begs the question: for whom would Israel mediate? The only answer possible is that Israel was chosen to be God's earthly mediator/witness of God to the nations. This mediation is connected to the earthly call and the earthly plan and the earthly kingdom. 

And you will be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel.”
-Exodus 19:6

When we recognize God's plan for the earth (separate from his plan for the far above the heavens), we see that the Lord still has future plans for Israel to be his witness to the nations.

[The Lord] says,
“It is a light thing that you should be My servant
to raise up the tribes of Jacob
and to restore the preserved ones of Israel;
I will also make you a light to the nations
so that My salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.”
-Isaiah 49:6

Thus we separate the perfect priesthood of Christ as the "one mediator between God and man" (1 Timothy 2:5) from the role of a witness. Just as God will work through his witnesses in Israel one day, he works through our witness in the present age. But we are no more mediators who have a sufficient offering to bring than was Israel. We know only "Christ crucified" and no other offering.

We do not point to shadows, but to the reality. We do not offer an earthly plan and hope, but a heavenly one. That is a larger topic covered elsewhere, but we note it here as some of the shadows of the Acts age (which was part of the calling of Israel to repentance in light of the restoration of the Kingdom in Israel, Acts 1; Acts 3, etc.) are practiced by most of Christendom. We just note here that in the current age, under the revelation of the Mystery by Paul in Ephesians, we must also leave ordinances and shadows connected to the earth behind. 

Therefore let no one judge you regarding food, or drink, or in respect of a holy day or new moon or sabbath days. These are shadows of things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ. Therefore if you died with Christ to the elementary principles of the world, why, as if you were living in the world, do you subject yourself to legalistic rules [ordinances]? “Do not touch! Do not taste! Do not handle!” These all are to perish with use and are aligned with the commandments and doctrines of men. These things have indeed a show of wisdom in self-imposed worship and humility and neglecting of the body, but are worthless against the indulgence of the flesh. 

-Colossians 2:16-17, 20-23

We lay that groundwork to remind ourselves to focus on the beauty and sufficiency of Christ and all he has accomplished on our behalf. "All scripture is inspired by God and is profitable" (2 Tim 3:16), but it must be "rightly divided" (2 Tim 2:15). We never see the goal of rightly dividing scripture as casting out one jot or one tittle of the Word of God. By rightly dividing the Word, we exalt its truths. As noted, all scripture is profitable and that includes the shadows seen in the feasts and sacrifices of Israel.

The Picture of God's Plan for Peace in the Peace Offering

When we come to the Peace Offering among the offerings in Leviticus (the Law), we rejoice, not in the shadow, but in the reality found in Christ. 

Let us quickly look at the placement of the Peace Offering among the Levitical offerings.

A | The burnt offering. All claims of God and man perfectly met.
    B | The meat [grain] offering. Inherent holiness. All frankincense.
        C | The peace offering. Communion. God and man partake.
    B | The sin offering. Inherent sinfulness. Ashes.
A | The trespass offering. The claims of God and man. The double tithe.

-Source: The Berean Expositor, Volume 17, Page 104 (excerpt) 

 

The Peace offering stands alone among the others.  Each offering addresses different aspects of God's relationship and separation from man. The Peace Offering is central among the divide of man from God in man's sinful nature. Man is separated from God in thought, word, deed, and nature. As no picture or shadow can adequately reflect the utter beauty and perfection of the Savior, God gave Israel multiple sacrifices and a number of annual feast for them (and for us) to try and get our minds a little closer to the glory and wonder that is our redemption.

Let us briefly look at the other offerings which might help us with the context of the Peace Offering. These are in no way exhaustive. We use them to help frame the central Peace Offering.

The Burnt Offering is fully consumed apart from the skin (which pictures righteousness). The animals were to be "without blemish" (Numbers 29:8). The sinless Christ' sacrifice is complete and fully accepted by the Father. All that remains is a coat of righteousness.

The Grain Offering has no bloodshed. The flour has no leaven nor honey. These two things can ferment and represent decay. One of the most underappreciated (in my opinion) victories of our Lord is his victory over decay. Both Peter and Paul make it a point to quote the scripture, "You will not leave my soul in Sheol, nor will You suffer Your godly one to see corruption [decay]."

The Sin Offering deals with man as inherently sinful. We are born in Adam in sin (we inherit death, "in Adam all die") and we have our own sins. The Lord leaves neither unaddressed. This offering deals with inherent sinfulness.

The Trespass Offering deals with unintentional sin through ignorance. God leaves no stone unturned. In his provision he sees that all sin is addressed, paid for and forgiven in Christ: rebellious acts of sin, sin in our Adamic natures, and even unintentional sin in our fallen nature.

We pause to recognize that in the "one sacrifice for sins forever" (Heb 19:12) we cannot miss Christ' superiority over the Law and the oft-repeated sacrifices which can never take away sin. We seek not "atonement" (covering of sin) in Christ's work, but full reconciliation with God, once and for all.

The Peace Offering is connected with the burnt offering. It can never be separated from the total and complete sacrifice of Christ. Peace is impossible without that perfect sacrifice. Leviticus seven connects the peace offering to a thanksgiving sacrifice. It is unique as it is "an expression of fellowship with God based upon the work of the Lord Jesus Christ upon the cross." (Ironside's Notes, Leviticus 3, excerpt).

God does not want us to miss that in the loving offering of his only begotten Son, he has made provision not only for our sin and freedom from the penalty of sin (death and decay), he has made provision for our peace and the restoration of fellowship. That peace is peace with God, but also a peace in our beings.

God Offers Us Peace by Faith

When we come to Christ and acknowledge him as our only hope to be rescued from the penalty of Adam's sin and our own sins, we are reconciled to God. He is at peace with us. We have that assurance. But as with other scriptural blessings, we must step into the experience of that peace by faith. We must willfully bring our Thanksgiving to God. It is an act of the will to walk with God in peace.

Isn't God wonderful! He offers us free resurrection life. He offers reconciliation through Christ alone. He holds nothing against us because of Christ's perfect work. Yet he offers us something beyond these blessings, he offers us peace now. He wants us to bring our gift of thanks to him so he can bless us with peace.

We already have a standing in peace with God in regard to the sin that separated us from him, but there is a peace beyond that. It is an experiential peace. With his own chosen twelve he offered a peace unknown to the world. These men were facing the death of their Master and his eventual departure. They are being left in a world that would hate them. He points them beyond his sacrificial work to an experiential peace. It is a practical, daily, comforting peace.

Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

-John 14:27

In the Acts age, as God was still calling out to Israel to repent, he had his servant Paul remind the believing Jews and the grafted in Gentiles that God is indeed the Lord of peace. As they were waiting with both the Tribulation and the coming kingdom "at hand," Paul reminds them of God's peace which is also nearby.

Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always in every way. The Lord be with you all.

-2 Thessalonians 3:16

In the current age, Paul reminds the One Body of the peace of God which surpasses all understanding is near. In our case, a kingdom is not "at hand," but God himself is "at hand." 

Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Let everyone come to know your gentleness. The Lord is at hand [nearby]. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and supplication with gratitude, make your requests known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will protect your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

-Philippians 4:4-7

This peace of God that can protect our hearts and minds (through Christ Jesus) is experienced as we bring our thanksgiving offering of rejoicing in him alone. We are to be "anxious for nothing." This is not a command demanding we be cold-hearted and indifferent to the woes of life. The very context speaks of having a gentle heart. If a child is in the hospital, surely many will be "anxious." And the Body needs to come to side of the parents in gentleness. 

What is being taught here is that we are to not enter any situation without turning to God with a peace offering of prayer, a humble call for help from God (supplication), and with thankfulness. We are then told to bring our requests to God.

God Wants to Comfort Us with His Peace

As they went, [Jesus] entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. She had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and listened to His teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she came to Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Then tell her to help me.” Jesus answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed. And Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken from her.”

-John 11:38-42

In love the Lord reaches out to Martha (whose brother had just died), that she will not find peace in "much serving." The Lord recognizes that she is "anxious" and full of cares and instead of reprimanding her he points her to the path of peace: sitting at his feet and listening to his teaching. We can only come to him by faith and we will only believe his promises and enjoy his presence by faith. Her sister, Mary, offered no work and no service, she chose the greater in simple submission to the Lord's words.

God is not telling us, his beloved, (that he sees through the prism of his perfect son) that we dare not be concerned about anything lest he be angry with us for our lack of faith (as some teach), he his teaching us that when we are anxious (full of care), do not leave ourselves there. Come to him and fall at his feet. As we would succor and comfort a fearful child, so does God with his own. We would say to that child, "please to not dwell in fear" and we would assure that child that she is loved no matter the outcome. 

In the very book of Philippians wherein we are taught by Paul to be anxious for nothing, the great Apostle was in fear of losing his good friend.

Indeed he [Epaphroditus] was sick, near death. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him, but also on me, lest I should have had sorrow upon sorrow. Therefore I sent him the more eagerly, that when you see him again, you may rejoice and I may be less sorrowful.

-Philippians 2:27-28

Paul's fear of sorrow was not sinful. It was the natural expression of love and care. Would we chastise Paul for being "anxious" about Epaphroditus? We would recognize his natural state of care and comfort him with the words of the Lord. To seek God is to seek a peace that passes understanding. Looking for God's peace is not a test, it is the call of a loving God who hates to see his beloved "anxious." His aim is comfort, not punishment. And the peace that brings comfort is never in the form of indifference. It is a form of comfort itself. Even in sorrow, we do not sorrow as others sorrow.

But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep [have died], that you sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.

-1 Thessalonians 4:13

Is Paul telling them not to sorrow? Absolutely not. He is reminding them that we do not have to sorrow as the world experiences sorrow. We have the hope of resurrection. But that hope is yet future. In this world we will have tribulation (as the Lord told his disciples), but he added that they should not be fearful because Christ has overcome the world in the long term (John 16:33). These are men sitting in the presence of God himself and they are anxious. The Lord points them, as he does us, to his ultimate victory over death and the world system that hates us.

“If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you..."

-John 15:18-19

There are truths in God's peace for all men of all ages (dispensations). Adam found peace with God. Noah found peace with God. Abraham found peace with God. David found peace with God. Yet all of these had to endure the results of sin (either their own sin or the sins of others). In all ages God offers peace as sin is still with us in all ages. While we acknowledge that, we are quick to add that peace can be, and is, experienced in different ways. 

A Deeper Faith Walk Means Deeper Peace 

In the Peace Offering, we see that all peace with God is made possible. Just as with the other offerings and their fulfillment in Christ, certain blessings are entered into only by faith. The deeper our faith, the greater the peace. In the current age, to experience reconciliation with the Father, we must place our faith wholly and solely in the work of the Son. But beyond the reconciliation for sin (and the free gift of resurrection life), there are more blessings.

But now in Christ Jesus you who were formerly far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For He is our peace, who has made both groups one and has broken down the barrier of the dividing wall, by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of the commandments contained in ordinances, that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus making peace...

-Ephesians 2:14-15

In the current age, all believers have peace with the Father through the sacrifice of the Son. This is a glorious and wonderful truth. Beyond that, there is a peace to experienced when we understand the revelation to Paul in Ephesians and the pulling down of the wall of separation (Eph 2:14). That is, as we see in Colossians quoted above, there is a greater peace to be experienced if we will  put aside the ordinances connected to Israel and rest fully in the revelation of the one new man and his hope, not of earthly blessings, but of blessings in the far above the heavens alone. 

We close this section with Paul's closing in 1 Thessalonians 5. He closed 2 Thessalonians with the prayer that the Lord of peace give us peace (3:16, quoted above). As with "God is Love" (1 John 4:8b), the attributes of God are not subject to any dispensational boundaries. God is indeed "love" and God is indeed "the Lord of Peace" and "the God of Peace." 

Abstain from all appearances of evil. May the very God of peace sanctify you completely. And I pray to God that your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is He who calls you, who also will do it.

-1 Thessalonians 5:22-24

If we truly want to experience the peace of God in our hearts and minds (if not in the external issues of life), God is prepared and able to provide a peace that surpasses understanding. He is faithful. There is no chance of failure on his part. But we must enter into that peace by faith (yet another blessing entered into by faith) and by walking in the new nature. The new nature is a direct creation of God. If we walk according to the old nature (the flesh), we will find ourselves troubled and subject to God's correction, (which is never "joyful" as we are corrected). 

God's Discipline is Designed to Bring Us Peace

God's discipline is designed to help us walk in the new nature and, as a result, enjoy the peace he wants to extend to us. Imputed righteousness by faith because of Christ alone brings one kind of peace. Walking in the new nature by faith yields even more peace.

Endure discipline; God is dealing with you as with sons. For what son is there whom a father does not discipline? If you are without discipline, of which everyone has partaken, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. Furthermore, we have had human fathers, and they corrected us, and we gave them reverence. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? For they indeed disciplined us for a short time according to their own judgment, but He does so for our profit, that we may partake of His holiness. Now no discipline seems to be joyful at the time, but grievous. Yet afterward it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness in those who have been trained by it.

-Hebrews 12:7-11

 

Praise him for his patience and his promise of peace. Peace with God in our eternal state and peace with God in our daily lives as we seek to walk according to the new nature. 

 God's Infinite Love, The Book of Job for the Current Age