“And the priest shall burn the fat upon the altar: but the breast shall be Aaron’s and his sons’.”
This verse is part of the instructions given to the Israelites regarding the offerings and sacrifices to be made to God. Leviticus is a book within the Old Testament that contains many detailed regulations and laws regarding the worship and service of God.
In Leviticus 7, the chapter focuses on the laws concerning the peace offering. The peace offering was a voluntary sacrifice offered by an individual as an expression of gratitude, thanksgiving, or a vow made to God. It was an offering of fellowship and communion with God and could be made for various reasons.
Leviticus 7:31 specifically addresses the distribution of certain portions of the peace offering. According to this verse, the fat of the animal was to be burned on the altar as an offering to God. Burning the fat symbolized dedicating the best and choicest part of the animal to God.
However, the breast of the animal was reserved for the priests, specifically Aaron and his sons who were the priests of Israel. This portion was given to the priest as their share or portion from the offerings brought by the people. The breast of the animal was considered a valuable and choice portion, representing the priest’s partaking in the offering and sharing in the blessings of the worshiper.
This verse highlights the role of the priests as intermediaries between the people and God. It emphasizes their unique position and responsibilities in the sacrificial system, as they were chosen to serve in the tabernacle or later in the temple. By receiving a portion of the offering, the priests were sustained and provided for by the people’s worship.
It is important to note that the regulations and laws found in Leviticus were given to the Israelites under the Old Covenant, which was a temporary system that foreshadowed the coming of Jesus Christ and the establishment of the New Covenant. The sacrificial system outlined in Leviticus pointed to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus on the cross, where He offered Himself as the perfect and final sacrifice for the forgiveness of sins.
As Christians, we no longer offer animal sacrifices or have a designated priesthood for these rituals. Through Jesus’ sacrifice, we have direct access to God and can approach Him freely. However, studying passages like Leviticus 7:31 can deepen our understanding of the Old Testament and the sacrificial system, providing us with insights into the significance of Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice.
In conclusion, Leviticus 7:31 highlights the distribution of portions from the peace offering, with the fat being burned as an offering to God and the breast given to the priests. It serves as a reminder of the role and provision for the priesthood in the Old Testament sacrificial system.
