Vs. 1, “If your offering is a fellowship offering, and you offer an animal from the herd, whether male or female, you are to present before the Lord an animal without defect.” This fellowship offering is also known as the “peace” offering (shalom). This fellowship offering was similar to the burnt offering in that the offering was made by fire with an aroma that would be pleasing to the LORD (vs. 5, 16). Cattle, sheep and goat were used, however female animals could be used unlike the burnt offering. Question: What was the purpose of the fellowship/peace offering? It was a voluntary offering that would be followed by the sharing of a meal with the parts of the animal used. There could be a few reasons for this offering; expressing gratitude or giving a vow.
Regarding application…Joyful Sacrifice. This is a wonderful reminder that not all sacrifices should be sobering. There is a tendency to come to the LORD only in times of trouble. But this fellowship offering reminds us that there is a time for joyful sacrifices, a time of voluntary giving not motivated by legalistic purposes. Being joyful is not just an emotion like happiness. Having joy is a mandate given from the LORD. In the busyness of our lives, this is a poignant reminder to come with joy when we attend church. There are not enough faces filled with joy in the pews of our churches. Let us be people who give with a joyful heart to the LORD and his church!
