Leviticus 3  This chapter gives the law for the "peace offering".  Chapter 7 gives us some more information about this sacrifice which can be either an offering of "thanksgiving" or a " votive or freewill offering".  Like all offerings to the Lord the animal offered must not have any defects, the blood is sprinkled around the altar and the fat is offered up by fire.  The offering could be a male or female sheep or goat or cow/ox.

At the end of chapter 3 they were given a strict command.. "It is perpetual statute throughout your generation in all your dwellings: you shall not eat any fat or any blood." 

In chapter 7 we find out that certain portions of the peace or fellowship offering would be given to the priests but the rest could be eaten by the family of the person offering the sacrifice.  If it was given as an offering of thanksgiving it would be accompanied by unleavened or leavened cakes. (verses11-15)  If it was a a "votive or a freewill offering".. an offering that was given as a vow.. or for some other reason,  the portion left after the blood and fat were offered, could be eaten that day or the next.  Anything left over had to be burned up. 

Again, they were told to not eat any of the fat or blood of any manner. 

There was one more important command about the offering of the peace offering.. it could only be offered at the tabernacle.. never in an open field.  This was a warning against idolatry since the pagans would offer their own sacrifices to the idols that they worshipped in that way..  The Israelites could too easily fall into playing "the harlot" by offering sacrifices to the "goat demons" (17:5-7) 

So, what can we learn from this?  Every offering and sacrifice was given for the purpose that God willed for His chosen people. It brought them into a deeper relationship or fellowship with Him.  We know that every one of these sacrifices were fulfilled in the cross of Jesus Christ.  He is the One who brings us into the True and Perfect fellowship with our God.  It is through Christ that we have True Peace.. True fellowship with our heavenly Father.  We do not bring an offering of blood because the blood of Jesus Christ has been offered.. once for all.. as we read in the book of Hebrews.  We are now able to bring a daily sacrifice or praise and thanksgiving.. through the One who died for us!

Father in heaven, we are so thankful for such a Savior! We praise the One who became the perfect Lamb of God.. who has brought us into the family of God.. making a way that the blood of a lamb or ox never could. How thankful we are for the mercy You have poured out upon us in Jesus Christ.  We willingly bring the only sacrifice that we can.. presenting our bodies as "a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God.. "  (Romans 12:!) We come with gratitude for the atonement for our sins through the cross of our Lord. We bring our tithes and offerings.. as a pledge and commitment of devotion to You alone. Keep us in Truth by Your word and Your Spirit we pray.. in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen.