Peace Offering

Are you still searching for a peace that circumstances keep taking away? Leviticus 3 points to a peace that can only be received, never bought.

“If his offering is a sacrifice of peace offering, if he offers an animal from the herd, male or female, he shall offer it without blemish before the LORD” (Leviticus 3:1).

Peace: the elusive pursuit of people of all ages and in all generations … the goal of philosophers and religions … the promise of books and lectures.

God told the Israelites how they could have peace with Him. How? By making “a sacrifice of peace offering.” This required sacrificing their best animals: animals “without blemish.” It was an offering to be made with thanksgiving, voluntarily, out of a grateful heart.

This offering provides the context for how we can receive peace. The Bible says we can only have peace through Jesus. As Paul wrote: “We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1). He has become “our peace” (Ephesians 2:14). The Father made “peace by the blood of his cross” (Colossians 1:19–20), and this peace is a fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22).

We cannot buy this peace through our gifts and offerings. But our gifts and offerings to God demonstrate our commitment to put Him first in our lives. They are a demonstration of our life of faith.

Do you have peace in your heart? In your home? With God?

The Lord offers a peace that surpasses understanding (Philippians 4:7). Trust in Him, and receive Jesus’ finished sacrifice for you on the cross. Make Him the Lord of your life. Seek an intimate, personal fellowship with Your Heavenly Father. Be led by the Spirit.

Reflection Question: Describe the peace you feel because of your personal relationship with God.

Frequently Asked Questions:

If Jesus’ sacrifice already secured peace with God, why does the Old Testament peace offering matter?

It’s a picture pointing forward—the offering shows worshippers had access to God through sacrifice long before Christ, and Jesus fulfills what the peace offering foreshadowed once for all (Hebrews 10:1).

What’s the difference between peace with God and the “peace that surpasses understanding”?

Peace with God (Romans 5:1) is a settled reality through Christ; the peace that surpasses understanding (Philippians 4:7) is the ongoing, felt experience of that reality in daily circumstances.

What if I don’t feel peace even though I know I have peace with God?

Feelings and standing aren’t the same thing. Philippians 4:6-7 links experienced peace to bringing anxieties to God in prayer, so start there rather than waiting for the feeling first.