Let’s Talk About Peace: What is it? Peace Offerings
What is peace? What does it mean? Webster’s Dictionary says that peace is “the condition that exists when nations or other groups are not fighting; friendly relations between individuals untroubled by disputes; freedom from noise, worries, troubles, fears; calm, peace of mind; to be silent, to prevent or avoid strife; hush; order, accord, still.”
The Bible Dictionary says that peace is ” a frequent word in both testaments used in a variety of ways. It is used throughout the Bible to indicate a spirit of tranquility and freedom from either inward or outward disturbance (Numbers 6:26, 1 Kings 4:24, Acts 9:31). When nations enjoyed this, it was regarded as a gift from God (Leviticus 26:6, Psalm 29:11). Perhaps its most frequent use in both testaments is to denote that spiritual tranquility which all can enjoy when, through faith in Christ, they are brought into a right relationship with God (Romans 5:1, Colossians 1:20, Philippians 4:6-7). Christ came to provide peace on earth (Luke 2:14).”
The Hebrew word for peace is “shalom,” which means “safe, well, happy, welfare, wealth, prosperity, great, good health, prosper, rest, wholeness.”
The Greek word for peace is “I-ray-nay,” which means quietness, rest, harmonize, make peace.”
The opposite of peace is conflict, discord, disruption, uproar, warfare, agitated, noisy, perturbed, turbulent, upset, violent.
Now that we know what the word “peace” means, let’s explore an important aspect of peace in the Old Testament – the Peace Offering. According to the Bible Dictionary, a peace offering “symbolized right spiritual relations with God.” The first place in the Bible where the peace offering is mentioned is in Exodus 20:24, the same chapter of the Bible where the Ten Commandments are given. The peace offering was a burnt offering of an animal (sheep or oxen), which had to be offered in accordance with God’s specific instructions in order to be accepted.
Exodus 20:24 (KJV) says, “An alter of earth thou shalt make unto me, and shalt sacrifice thereon thy burnt offerings, and thy peace offerings, thy sheep, and thine oxen: in all places where I record my name I will come unto thee, and I will bless thee.” That word “record” in the original Hebrew language means “to mark (so as to be recognized); to remember, to be mindful of, make mention of, bring (call, come, keep, put) to (in) remembrance, think on.” I believe that this meant that wherever God’s name was called to remembrance or recognized, He promised to come and bless the Children of Israel.
There are many references made in the Old Testament to peace offerings. Nearly eighty (80) references of peace offerings can be found from the time of Moses to the time of Jesus. Jesus became our peace offering with God. Jesus was sacrificed for us to enjoy that “right spiritual relationship with God.”
I don’t know about you, but I’m so thankful that I don’t have to worry about making burnt sacrifices to God today. Jesus made the way for us!