Bible Commentaries
Leviticus 3

Verses 1-17

In the peace offering new elements are manifest Here one part was to be burned with fire and thus offered directly to God, while another part was returned from the altar to the worshiper for his own sustenance. In this offering, then, the great fact of acceptance and communion established on the basis of sacrifice and dedication is portrayed. It is indeed the peace offering forevermore speaking of peace established between the worshiper and God.

The basis of this peace is found in the offering through the death of the guiltless for the guilty, and the complete dedication of the worshiper to God. It is therefore the offering suggesting fellowship between God and the worshiper when all the reasons for disagreement have been banished and peace naturally ensues. To the sinner no such place of communion is possible, but in the offerings substitution is revealed as the way of dedication, which, in turn, admits into such communion with God sacrifice characterized by peace

In these three offerings the sinner has been dealt with as such by nature. In each case the offering has been voluntary. The facts of specific and personal sins have not been dealt with.