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The Peace-Offering

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park, Washington, D. C. · Jun 6, 1912

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 89, No. 23.

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The Peace-Offering

By Stephen N. Haskell

S. N. HASKELL
THE whole world is seeking peace. Nations fight for it, and thousands of men sell their souls to obtain riches, vainly hoping that riches will bring them peace and happiness; but there is no real, abiding peace, except that which comes from the great Prince of Peace, and it is never received as the reward of war and bloodshed nor of the grasping greed of the world. The last legacy the Saviour gave his disciples was one of peace. "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you." John 14:27. The abiding peace of God in the heart is not obtained in pursuit of worldly fame or riches. The peace-offering in the Levitical service beautifully taught in type and shadow how to obtain this coveted peace.In many respects the peace-offering was different from any other offering. Of no other offering, except the Passover offering, were the people to eat of the flesh. Unlike the Passover, it was not confined to one day of the year, but could be celebrated any day in the year.
The animals for peace-offerings were chosen from the herd or the flock. They were to be without blemish, for no deformed animal could fitly represent the Prince of Peace. The peace-offerings were made in token of thanksgiving, to confirm a vow or contract, and as voluntary offerings. It was a peace-offering with which Moses confirmed the old covenant with Israel. Ex. 24:5-8. In times of special rejoicing we read often in the Old Testament of the celebration of the peace-offering. When David brought the ark into Jerusalem, he offered peace-offerings, and "dealt to every one of Israel, both man and woman, to every one a loaf of bread, and a good piece of flesh." 1 Chron. 16:1-3.
The peace-offering was often associated with the other offerings; and wherever, except in the Passover feast, the people ate of the flesh, it was the peace-offering that was celebrated. The individual who offered the peace-offering laid his hands on the head of the animal, then slew it and separated all the fat from the different organs of the body, and the priest burned the fat upon the altar of burnt offering. Not only was the fat given to the priest, but also the breast, the right shoulder, and the "two cheeks" of every offering. The separating and burning of the fat typified the only way real peace could be obtained; namely, by delivering all our sins to the rightful owner.
The Prince of Peace, the blessed Saviour, "gave himself for our sins." Gal. 1:3, 4. He purchased them that he might destroy sin and give us peace. This was beautifully typified by the action of the priest (who served "unto the example and shadow of heavenly things") in taking the fat from the hands of the one making the peace-offering, and burning it upon the altar. Ps. 37:20; Isa. 43:24. The priest waved the breast and the shoulder before the Lord, and these were then eaten by the priest as his portion of the peace-offering.
The prophet Isaiah understood what was typified by presenting the breast of every peace-offering to the priest, for in writing of the Saviour he says, "He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom." Isa. 40:11. The child of God to-day who, like John the beloved disciple, leans on the bosom of his Lord, enjoys the real peace of God, of which the peace-offering was but a type.
While the antitype of the priest's taking the breast of each peace-offering as his portion is comforting to every trusting child of God, in the antitype of the priest's receiving the right shoulder of every peace-offering there is strength and blessing. We quote from the prophet Isaiah, who loved to write of the Saviour: "Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end." Isa. 9:6, 7. Notice it is the one who, realizing that Christ is his personal Saviour, lets the government of his affairs rest upon Christ's shoulder that receives never-ending peace. When we deliver the key, or control, of all our affairs to Christ, we shall find that he will open up ways before us which no earthly powers can shut, and he will close ways he would not have us travel, and no powers of earth can open them to entrap our feet. Isa. 22:22.
After Samuel had anointed Saul to be king over Israel, he brought him to his house, and "said unto the cook, Bring the portion which I gave thee, of which I said unto thee, Set it by thee. And the cook took up the shoulder, and that which was upon it, and set it before Saul," and Samuel bade him eat of it. 1 Sam. 9:23, 24. If Saul had comprehended the wonderful lesson taught in this act of Samuel, he would have placed the government of the kingdom upon the shoulder of the great Prince of Peace, and not have made shipwreck of his life-work.
(To be concluded)