Overview:

Leviticus 7 provides further instructions on various offerings, particularly the guilt offering, fellowship offering, and regulations for consuming sacrifices. This chapter emphasizes the holy nature of the sacrificial system and gives specific instructions to the priests and the people of Israel concerning the proper handling of sacrifices. The chapter includes regulations about the portions that are to be eaten, the prohibition against consuming blood and fat, and the proper distribution of the offerings between the priest and the worshiper.

Key themes in Leviticus 7 include the holiness of worship, the importance of thanksgiving, the sacredness of life (symbolized by the prohibition on eating blood), and the responsibilities of the priests. The chapter reiterates God’s instructions for offering sacrifices that please Him and highlights the importance of reverence and obedience in all aspects of worship. The detailed instructions about dividing the sacrifices reflect the communal and sacred nature of Israelite worship, pointing to the fellowship believers have with God and each other through Christ’s ultimate sacrifice.

Historical and Literary Context:

Leviticus 7 is part of the broader sacrificial system given to Moses at Mount Sinai. The chapter serves as a conclusion to the laws regarding sacrifices, reinforcing specific aspects of worship related to the guilt offering, fellowship offering, and how the priests were to handle the portions of the offerings given to them. This chapter not only focuses on atonement for sin but also on thanksgiving and fellowship, providing a fuller picture of Israel’s worship life.

The literary structure of this chapter includes instructions for how the priests are to handle the offerings and how the worshiper is to participate in the fellowship offering. The inclusion of specific laws about the prohibition of consuming fat and blood underscores the sacredness of life and the blood’s role in atonement, which is a recurring theme throughout Leviticus.

Key Themes and Doctrinal Points:

The Sacredness of Life and Blood:

Throughout Leviticus, the prohibition on consuming blood is consistently emphasized, and Leviticus 7 reiterates this prohibition. Blood represents life (Leviticus 17:11), and its sacredness is tied to the act of atonement. The blood was to be reserved for sacrificial purposes, symbolizing the life given for the forgiveness of sins. This points directly to Christ, whose blood was shed to provide eternal atonement for believers (Hebrews 9:22).

Thanksgiving and Fellowship:

The fellowship offering (sometimes called the peace offering) is a central theme in this chapter. This offering was given in gratitude for God’s blessings, and a portion of the sacrifice was shared between the priest and the worshiper, symbolizing communal fellowship with God and His people. This act of sharing the meal reflects the fellowship believers have with Christ and one another, as seen in the Lord’s Supper (1 Corinthians 10:16-17).

The Holiness of Worship:

The detailed regulations in this chapter emphasize the importance of approaching God with reverence and obedience. The instructions for how the priests were to handle the offerings and the prohibition against eating fat and blood highlight the sacred nature of worship. This underscores the principle that worship must be done according to God’s commands, reflecting His holiness (John 4:24).

Verse-by-Verse Analysis:

Leviticus 7:1-2:

“These are the regulations for the guilt offering, which is most holy: The guilt offering is to be slaughtered in the place where the burnt offering is slaughtered, and its blood is to be splashed against the sides of the altar.”

The guilt offering is considered “most holy,” reflecting the seriousness of sin and the need for atonement. The splashing of the blood on the altar again emphasizes the role of blood in purification and reconciliation with God. The guilt offering points forward to Christ, whose blood was poured out for the forgiveness of sins (Matthew 26:28).

Leviticus 7:3-7:

“All its fat shall be offered: the fat tail and the fat that covers the internal organs, both kidneys with the fat on them near the loins, and the long lobe of the liver, which is to be removed with the kidneys. The priest shall burn them on the altar as a food offering presented to the Lord. It is a guilt offering… The same law applies to both the sin offering and the guilt offering: They belong to the priest who makes atonement with them.”

The fat portions of the animal, which were considered the best parts, were to be burned on the altar. This reflects the principle that the best is reserved for God. The priest, as the mediator, receives a portion of the sacrifice, symbolizing God’s provision for those who serve Him. This parallels the New Testament principle that “the worker deserves his wages” (1 Timothy 5:18).

Leviticus 7:11-15:

“These are the regulations for the fellowship offering anyone may present to the Lord: If they offer it as an expression of thankfulness, then along with this thank offering they are to offer thick loaves made without yeast and with olive oil mixed in… The meat of their fellowship offering of thanksgiving must be eaten on the day it is offered; they must leave none of it till morning.”

The fellowship offering is an expression of gratitude, and part of the offering is shared with the worshiper. The act of sharing the meal reflects the fellowship that exists between God and His people. The instruction to consume the offering on the same day emphasizes the immediacy of thanksgiving and fellowship. This practice prefigures the communion meal, where believers participate in the body and blood of Christ (1 Corinthians 11:24).

Leviticus 7:16-18:

“If, however, their offering is the result of a vow or is a freewill offering, the sacrifice shall be eaten on the day they offer it, but anything left over may be eaten on the next day. Any meat of the sacrifice left over till the third day must be burned up.”

This section emphasizes the importance of consuming the fellowship offering promptly, reinforcing the idea that fellowship with God is immediate and that worship must be done according to God’s instructions. The prohibition against eating the meat after the third day underscores the need for reverence and purity in worship.

Leviticus 7:19-21:

“Meat that touches anything ceremonially unclean must not be eaten; it must be burned up. As for other meat, anyone ceremonially clean may eat it. But if anyone who is unclean eats any meat of the fellowship offering… they must be cut off from their people.”

This passage reinforces the importance of purity in worship. The fellowship offering is holy, and only those who are clean may participate. This requirement foreshadows the purity required to approach God, which is fulfilled in Christ. Through His atonement, believers are made clean and able to enter into fellowship with God (Hebrews 10:22).

Leviticus 7:22-27:

“The Lord said to Moses, ‘Say to the Israelites: Do not eat any of the fat of cattle, sheep or goats. The fat of an animal found dead or torn by wild animals may be used for any other purpose, but you must not eat it. Anyone who eats the fat of an animal from which a food offering may be presented to the Lord must be cut off from their people.’”

This prohibition against consuming fat and blood underscores the sacredness of life and the holiness of worship. The fat, considered the best part, was reserved for God, while the blood, representing life, was used for atonement. This mirrors the principle that God deserves the best of what we offer, and it prefigures the ultimate offering of Christ’s blood for the atonement of sin.

Leviticus 7:28-38:

“The Lord said to Moses, ‘Say to the Israelites: Anyone who brings a fellowship offering to the Lord is to bring part of it as their sacrifice to the Lord… The right thigh of your fellowship offerings you are to give to the priest as a contribution. The right thigh is the portion of the priests from the fellowship offerings of the Israelites.’”

These verses further elaborate on the portions of the offering that are to be given to the priests. The priests receive the breast and the right thigh as their portion, symbolizing God’s provision for His servants. This also highlights the shared aspect of the offering between God, the priests, and the worshiper. The fellowship offering thus represents communion with God, His servants, and His people, pointing to the fellowship believers have with one another in Christ (1 John 1:3).

Theological Implications and Connection to Jesus Christ:

Leviticus 7 points to the centrality of Christ’s sacrifice in the life of the believer. The blood of the guilt offering, which atoned for sin, foreshadows Christ’s atoning work on the cross. The fellowship offering, which involved sharing a meal between the worshiper, the priest, and God, points to the intimate fellowship believers now enjoy through Christ’s sacrifice.

The prohibition against eating blood and fat emphasizes the sacredness of life and the necessity of blood for atonement. This is fulfilled in Christ, whose blood was shed for the forgiveness of sins (Ephesians 1:7). Christ’s sacrifice not only provides atonement but also brings believers into fellowship with God and each other.

Sermon Outline and Flow:

Title: “Fellowship, Atonement, and Holiness: Understanding the Sacrificial System”

1. Introduction
   • Introduce the concept of the guilt offering and fellowship offering, explaining their significance in Israel’s worship system.
   • Highlight how these offerings point forward to Christ’s sacrifice and our fellowship with God.
2. The Sacredness of Blood and Life (Leviticus 7:22-27)
   • Discuss the prohibition against consuming blood and fat and its significance in representing the sacredness of life.
   • Connect this to Christ’s blood, which was shed for the atonement of sin, emphasizing the holiness of His sacrifice.
3. Thanksgiving and Fellowship (Leviticus 7:11-18)
   • Explore the communal aspect of the fellowship offering, where a portion is shared between the priest and the worshiper.
   • Connect this to the New Testament principle of fellowship with God and others, particularly in the Lord’s Supper.
4. Reverence and Holiness in Worship (Leviticus 7:19-21)
   • Emphasize the need for purity in worship, as reflected in the instructions about who could eat the offerings.
   • Encourage believers to approach worship with reverence and holiness, reflecting the purity that comes through Christ.
5. Conclusion
   • Reaffirm the importance of atonement, thanksgiving, and fellowship in the believer’s life, pointing to Christ as the fulfillment of these sacrifices.
   • Call the congregation to live in continual fellowship with God and others, through the atonement of Christ.

Illustrations and Examples:

• Personal Story: Share a story of a family meal or celebration that brought a deeper sense of fellowship and unity, connecting this to the communal aspect of the fellowship offering.
• Global Example: Many cultures have rituals of communal meals that symbolize peace and unity. Relate this to the fellowship offering and how it points to the peace and unity believers experience in Christ.

Application for Today’s Christian:

Leviticus 7 calls today’s believers to:

• Live in Continual Fellowship with God: The fellowship offering reminds us of the importance of living in gratitude and continual fellowship with God through Christ’s atonement.
• Approach Worship with Reverence: The detailed instructions about the offerings remind believers of the need to approach God with reverence, purity, and obedience.
• Honor Christ’s Sacrifice: Just as the Israelites were commanded to respect the blood and fat of the offerings, believers are called to honor the blood of Christ, which was shed for their sins, by living lives that reflect His holiness.

Connection to the Father in Leviticus 7:

God the Father’s holiness and justice are evident in the detailed instructions for the sacrifices. His provision for atonement and fellowship shows His desire for restored relationships with His people. The offerings in Leviticus 7 reflect the Father’s gracious invitation to live in peace and communion with Him, fulfilled in Christ.

Connection to Jesus Christ in Leviticus 7:

Leviticus 7 points to Jesus Christ as the ultimate fulfillment of the sacrificial system. He is the perfect guilt offering, whose blood was shed for the forgiveness of sins. The fellowship offering prefigures the intimate communion believers now enjoy with God through Christ, and the prohibition on blood foreshadows the sacredness of His sacrificial death on the cross.

Connection to the Holy Spirit in Leviticus 7:

The Holy Spirit works in the lives of believers to enable them to live in holiness and fellowship with God. The Spirit applies the atoning work of Christ to the believer’s heart, purifying them and guiding them into deeper fellowship with God and others (Romans 8:13-14).

Connection to God’s Love in Leviticus 7:

Leviticus 7 reflects God’s love in providing a way for His people to live in fellowship with Him and each other. The offerings symbolize both atonement and gratitude, pointing to the deeper relationship made possible through Christ’s sacrifice. God’s love is ultimately demonstrated in the gift of His Son, who made atonement for sin and brought believers into eternal fellowship with Him (Romans 5:8).

Reflection Questions:

1. How does the sacredness of blood in Leviticus 7 deepen your appreciation for the blood of Christ shed for you?
2. In what ways can you live in greater fellowship with God and others, reflecting the principles of the fellowship offering?
3. How can you approach worship with a greater sense of reverence and purity, in light of the instructions given in Leviticus 7?
4. What does it mean for you to honor Christ’s sacrifice in your daily life, as symbolized by the prohibition against consuming blood in Leviticus 7?
5. How can you express thanksgiving and gratitude to God for the fellowship and atonement provided through Christ’s work on the cross?