Read: Leviticus 3
Background: The peace offering was totally optional, given by the person along with the burnt offering. We will see specific reasons on day seven, but in general it was a celebration of reconciliation - that he was "at peace with God". The giver was so overjoyed in His salvation and God's provision that He wanted to "give back more." To encourage this kind of giving the "restrictions" were somewhat less; the gift could be either male or female, and in certain cases, not "without blemish."
Key verses: 9 Then from the sacrifice of the peace offering he shall offer as a food offering to the Lord its fat; he shall remove the whole fat tail, cut off close to the backbone, and the fat that covers the entrails and all the fat that is on the entrails 10 and the two kidneys with the fat that is on them at the loins and the long lobe of the liver that he shall remove with the kidneys. 11 And the priest shall burn it on the altar as a food offering to the Lord.
Thoughts: The main feature of the peace offering was that it was a "food offering" - it was meant to be eaten. The picture presented is that of friends having a meal together - in particular, man in fellowship with God at the table, with no sin to separate them. Because of this, the priest would often eat the meal with the giver to demonstrate such fellowship.
God goes out of His way to encourage the giving of offerings - not because He needs them, but because He knows it is way for us to demonstrate faith and trust and to celebrate the fellowship of forgiveness.
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