Read the Daily Bible Verse – Leviticus 7:34 To Strengthen Your Spiritual Journey.
The book of Leviticus is often considered one of the most challenging books in the Bible to understand. It contains many laws and instructions that were given to the Israelites, detailing how they were to live in a covenant relationship with God. These instructions might seem distant and sometimes confusing, but they are crucial for understanding the nature of God’s holiness and His expectations for His people. One such verse that can spark questions is Leviticus 7:34. This verse comes within a context of laws governing the offerings and sacrifices that the Israelites were required to make, but what does it really mean for us today?
In this article, we will look at the context of Leviticus 7:34, analyze the meaning of the verse itself, explore how it can be applied in our lives, and finally draw some conclusions on how this verse relates to the broader themes of Scripture.
The Context of Leviticus 7:34 KJV
To understand what Leviticus 7:34 means, we must first examine the larger context of the chapter and the book. Leviticus, as mentioned earlier, is primarily about the laws given to Israel concerning worship and purity. The entire book is structured around the different types of sacrifices and how the Israelites were to maintain their covenant with God through offerings.
In Leviticus 7, the focus is on the peace offering (or fellowship offering). This offering was made to maintain peace between the people and God, and it was also a way for the Israelites to express gratitude to God. Leviticus 7 provides detailed instructions about how this offering should be conducted, what the priests’ roles were, and how the meat from the offering was to be shared and consumed.
Peace Offerings and Their Significance
The peace offering was voluntary. It could be made to thank God for His blessings, for a successful harvest, or in fulfillment of a vow. Unlike the burnt offering, where the whole animal was consumed by fire, the peace offering allowed the offerer to eat a portion of the meat, which symbolized communion with God.
The priest and the one who made the offering would share in the meat of the sacrifice, symbolizing fellowship between God, the priest, and the people. The peace offering was a means by which the Israelites could celebrate and reaffirm their relationship with God.
Leviticus 7:30-33 – Setting the Stage for Verse 34
Before Leviticus 7:34, the preceding verses describe the rituals of the peace offering in detail. Verses 30 through 33 mention the roles of the offerer and the priest in the sacrifice. The offerer must bring a specific type of offering, and the priest must sprinkle the blood of the offering on the altar. Verses 32 and 33 explain that the breast and the right thigh of the offering were given to the priest. These were portions considered to be “the priest’s due.”
It is in Leviticus 7:34 where the importance of the priest’s portion in the peace offering is further emphasized. The verse states:
Leviticus 7:34 (KJV)
“For the wave breast and the heave shoulder have I taken of the children of Israel from off the sacrifices of their peace offerings, and have given them unto Aaron the priest and unto his sons by a statute for ever from among the children of Israel.” — Leviticus 7:34 KJV
This verse highlights the special provisions made for the priesthood in the peace offering, particularly the “wave breast” and the “heave shoulder.” But what do these terms mean, and why are they significant?
Leviticus 7:34 Meaning
The Wave Breast and Heave Shoulder
To understand this verse, we need to first comprehend the terms “wave breast” and “heave shoulder.”
Wave Breast: This part of the animal’s chest was called the “wave breast” because the priest would wave it before the Lord as part of the ceremony. The waving symbolized the offering being presented before God and was a ritual of consecration. It was not meant to be consumed by the priest immediately but was part of the offering to God.
Heave Shoulder: The “heave shoulder” referred to the shoulder of the animal, which the priest was to lift (or “heave”) before God as an offering. Like the wave breast, it symbolized the priest’s participation in the offering and the sharing of the peace with God. The priest would then consume this part of the animal.
Both of these portions—the wave breast and the heave shoulder—were designated for the priests as their share in the peace offering. This was a way of providing for the priests and their families, as they did not have an inheritance of land like the other tribes of Israel.
The Priests’ Share
Leviticus 7:34 emphasizes that the wave breast and heave shoulder were specifically given to Aaron and his sons, the priests, as a statute forever. This was a perpetual ordinance that would continue throughout the generations of the Israelites. The priesthood was to be sustained by these offerings as they performed their sacred duties in the tabernacle and, later, in the temple.
The Meaning for Israel
For the people of Israel, this law served a few purposes:
Provision for the Priests: The priests were dedicated to serving God full-time and did not have land to cultivate for food, as the other tribes did. These portions of the peace offering ensured that the priests could be sustained in their service to God.
Reinforcing the Holiness of the Priesthood: By giving the best portions of the offering to the priests, the Israelites demonstrated the sacredness of the priestly role. These portions were seen as holy, set apart for God’s service, and symbolized the special status of the priests in God’s plan for His people.
Communion with God: The peace offering, and the sharing of the meat between the priest and the offerer, symbolized communion and fellowship with God. The priests played a key role in facilitating this relationship between the people and God.
The Eternal Nature of the Statute
The phrase “a statute for ever” indicates that this practice was not temporary. It was intended to continue as long as the Israelites followed the law. The priesthood was an ongoing institution, and their role was vital to maintaining the spiritual life of the nation. While the specific rituals of the peace offering are no longer practiced in the New Covenant, the concept of the priesthood as God’s servants continues through Christ, the Great High Priest.
Leviticus 7:34 Application in Life
So, what does Leviticus 7:34 mean for us today? Although the practice of animal sacrifices and peace offerings no longer applies under the New Covenant, the principles behind this verse still have profound significance in our lives.
The Role of Priests Today
In the New Testament, Christians are described as a “royal priesthood” (1 Peter 2:9). This means that all believers have access to God through Jesus Christ and are called to serve as priests in a spiritual sense. As a royal priesthood, Christians are to offer up spiritual sacrifices (1 Peter 2:5) and live lives that are holy and dedicated to God. The New Testament also speaks of Jesus Christ as the Great High Priest who has made the ultimate sacrifice for our sins.
While we no longer rely on animal sacrifices, we are still called to honor and serve God with our whole lives. This includes serving others, supporting those in ministry, and ensuring that the spiritual needs of the church community are met. Just as the priests in ancient Israel depended on the peace offerings, modern Christians are encouraged to support those who serve in ministry, recognizing the importance of their role.
Sharing in God’s Blessings
The peace offering was a symbol of sharing in God’s blessings, and today, Christians are called to share in the blessings of God’s grace. This is demonstrated through acts of generosity, service, and love toward others. Just as the priests shared in the peace offering, we, as believers, are called to share God’s love with others and build up the body of Christ.
The Holiness of God’s Service
Leviticus 7:34 reminds us that the service of God is holy. In our daily lives, we are called to live with the awareness that we belong to God and are set apart for His purposes. Every act of service we do—whether in the church, in our families, or in our communities—can be seen as a way of honoring God.
Conclusion
Leviticus 7:34 provides a glimpse into the holiness of the priesthood and the way that the Israelites were instructed to care for their spiritual leaders. While the practice of animal sacrifices is no longer relevant for Christians, the underlying principles of the verse continue to have application in our lives today.
The concept of priesthood, sacrifice, and fellowship with God remains central to our faith. By understanding the significance of the peace offering and the priestly role, we are reminded of the holiness of God’s service and the importance of supporting those who serve in ministry. Ultimately, as believers in Christ, we are all part of a royal priesthood, called to offer our lives as spiritual sacrifices in service to God.
Related Topics:
- What Does Leviticus 7:33 Mean?
- Leviticus 7:32 Meaning, Context & Commentary
- What Does Leviticus 7:31 Mean?