Leviticus 利未记 3 — The Peace Offering 平安祭

Religion is man’s attempt to make peace with God on his own terms. However, redemption is God’s offer of peace through Jesus Christ. But this is “peace through the blood of His cross” (Col. 1:20). The animal sacrifice had to die and the blood had to be sprinkled on the altar before God could declare peace.

宗教是人试图以自己的条件与神达成和平协议。然而,救赎是神借着耶稣基督所赐与人的和平。不过,这救赎是“藉着他在十字架上所流的血成就了和平的”(西1:20)。供物必须牺牲,血必须洒在坛上后,神才可宣告和平。

 

Peace with God is a precious blessing that we must never take for granted: “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Rom. 5:1).

我们绝不能把与神的和平看作理所当然,因为它是一个份珍贵的祝福。“我们既因信称义,就藉着我们的主耶稣基督得与神相和。”(罗5:1)

 

After the sacrifice, the worshiper and his family would eat what remained once the priest had taken his rightful share (7:11–18). It was to be a joyful feast of fellowship. In fact, the Jews were to consider it a peace offering whenever they slaughtered an animal for food (17:1–9). Do you strive to make each meal an occasion of fellowship and praise to God? If we would present ourselves and the food to Him as an act of worship, our meals might become much happier occasions.

在祭司献祭并拿取应有的份额后,大家均分吃下祭物(7:11-18)。它是一个欢乐的盛宴。事实上,每当犹太人宰杀动物为食时,他们都应当看似是一种平安祭(17:1-9)。你是否努力使每一餐都成为赞美神并与祂相通的时间呢?如果我们可以将自己以及食物献于神作敬拜,我们的用餐时间可能就会变得更愉快了。

 

Praying the Scripture 用经文祷告

 

  1. Peace is only possible through Jesus Christ. Ephesians says, “For he himself is our peace.” (Eph. 2:13-14) This is only possible through His blood of his cross. (Col 1:20) Colossians said, “Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation. (Col 1:21-22) Let’s thank Jesus for He paid a heavy price to become peace for us.

和平唯独籍着耶稣基督而来。以弗所书说:“因他使我们和睦”(弗2:13-14),而这唯有藉着基督在十字架上所流的血才可成就(西1:20)。歌罗西1:21-22说:“你们从前与神隔绝,因着恶行,心里与他为敌。但如今他藉着基督的肉身受死,叫你们与自己和好,都成了圣洁,没有瑕疵,无可责备,把你们引到自己面前。”让我们感谢耶稣,因祂付上沉重的代价,从而成为我们的和平。

 

  1. The peace offering symbolizes the peace and fellowship between the true worshiper and God (as a voluntary offering). It was the third freewill offering resulting in a sweet aroma to the Lord (3:5), which served as the appropriate corollary to the burnt offering of atonement and the grain offering of consecration and dedication. It symbolized the fruit of redemptive reconciliation between a sinner and God (cf. 2Co 5:18). Now the Lord wants to have peace with us, do we want to have peace with Him and enjoy the fellowship with Him?

平安祭象征着敬拜者与神之间的和平与团契(是自愿献上的)。这是第三个自愿献给神的馨香之祭(3:5),也是在赎罪的燔祭,以及奉献的素祭后的必然结果。它也象征罪人与神之间救赎和平的果子(参林后5:18)。主希望与我们和好,但我们是否也有同样的渴望,并享受与祂相交呢?