Torah Studies · Study 8
A Thankful Heart and a Shared Table
Connecting the Torah and Jesus
Class Eight · Leviticus 7
Read the complete Bible passages first. Then discover how Leviticus 7, Jesus’ table, and the apostles’ teaching help us live with gratitude, faithful worship, and love for others.
In this study
Part 1 · Read the Bible passages first
Begin with these complete passages. Take your time, and pause between readings. The Bible quotations keep their historical wording. The teaching that follows explains older words and helps us understand the passages together.
Leviticus 7:1-38 King James Version
1 Likewise this is the law of the trespass offering: it is most holy.
2 In the place where they kill the burnt offering shall they kill the trespass offering: and the blood thereof shall he sprinkle round about upon the altar.
3 And he shall offer of it all the fat thereof; the rump, and the fat that covereth the inwards,
4 And the two kidneys, and the fat that is on them, which is by the flanks, and the caul that is above the liver, with the kidneys, it shall he take away:
5 And the priest shall burn them upon the altar for an offering made by fire unto the LORD: it is a trespass offering.
6 Every male among the priests shall eat thereof: it shall be eaten in the holy place: it is most holy.
7 As the sin offering is, so is the trespass offering: there is one law for them: the priest that maketh atonement therewith shall have it.
8 And the priest that offereth any man’s burnt offering, even the priest shall have to himself the skin of the burnt offering which he hath offered.
9 And all the meat offering that is baken in the oven, and all that is dressed in the fryingpan, and in the pan, shall be the priest’s that offereth it.
10 And every meat offering, mingled with oil, and dry, shall all the sons of Aaron have, one as much as another.
11 And this is the law of the sacrifice of peace offerings, which he shall offer unto the LORD.
12 If he offer it for a thanksgiving, then he shall offer with the sacrifice of thanksgiving unleavened cakes mingled with oil, and unleavened wafers anointed with oil, and cakes mingled with oil, of fine flour, fried.
13 Besides the cakes, he shall offer for his offering leavened bread with the sacrifice of thanksgiving of his peace offerings.
14 And of it he shall offer one out of the whole oblation for an heave offering unto the LORD, and it shall be the priest’s that sprinkleth the blood of the peace offerings.
15 And the flesh of the sacrifice of his peace offerings for thanksgiving shall be eaten the same day that it is offered; he shall not leave any of it until the morning.
16 But if the sacrifice of his offering be a vow, or a voluntary offering, it shall be eaten the same day that he offereth his sacrifice: and on the morrow also the remainder of it shall be eaten:
17 But the remainder of the flesh of the sacrifice on the third day shall be burnt with fire.
18 And if any of the flesh of the sacrifice of his peace offerings be eaten at all on the third day, it shall not be accepted, neither shall it be imputed unto him that offereth it: it shall be an abomination, and the soul that eateth of it shall bear his iniquity.
19 And the flesh that toucheth any unclean thing shall not be eaten; it shall be burnt with fire: and as for the flesh, all that be clean shall eat thereof.
20 But the soul that eateth of the flesh of the sacrifice of peace offerings, that pertain unto the LORD, having his uncleanness upon him, even that soul shall be cut off from his people.
21 Moreover the soul that shall touch any unclean thing, as the uncleanness of man, or any unclean beast, or any abominable unclean thing, and eat of the flesh of the sacrifice of peace offerings, which pertain unto the LORD, even that soul shall be cut off from his people.
22 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
23 Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, Ye shall eat no manner of fat, of ox, or of sheep, or of goat.
24 And the fat of the beast that dieth of itself, and the fat of that which is torn with beasts, may be used in any other use: but ye shall in no wise eat of it.
25 For whosoever eateth the fat of the beast, of which men offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD, even the soul that eateth it shall be cut off from his people.
26 Moreover ye shall eat no manner of blood, whether it be of fowl or of beast, in any of your dwellings.
27 Whatsoever soul it be that eateth any manner of blood, even that soul shall be cut off from his people.
28 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
29 Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, He that offereth the sacrifice of his peace offerings unto the LORD shall bring his oblation unto the LORD of the sacrifice of his peace offerings.
30 His own hands shall bring the offerings of the LORD made by fire, the fat with the breast, it shall he bring, that the breast may be waved for a wave offering before the LORD.
31 And the priest shall burn the fat upon the altar: but the breast shall be Aaron’s and his sons’.
32 And the right shoulder shall ye give unto the priest for an heave offering of the sacrifices of your peace offerings.
33 He among the sons of Aaron, that offereth the blood of the peace offerings, and the fat, shall have the right shoulder for his part.
34 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.
35 This is the portion of the anointing of Aaron, and of the anointing of his sons, out of the offerings of the LORD made by fire, in the day when he presented them to minister unto the LORD in the priest’s office;
36 Which the LORD commanded to be given them of the children of Israel, in the day that he anointed them, by a statute for ever throughout their generations.
37 This is the law of the burnt offering, of the meat offering, and of the sin offering, and of the trespass offering, and of the consecrations, and of the sacrifice of the peace offerings;
38 Which the LORD commanded Moses in mount Sinai, in the day that he commanded the children of Israel to offer their oblations unto the LORD, in the wilderness of Sinai.
Hebrews 10:10-14 King James Version
10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
11 And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins:
12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;
13 From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool.
14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.
Luke 22:14-20 King James Version
14 And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve apostles with him.
15 And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer:
16 For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God.
17 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves:
18 For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come.
19 And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.
20 Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.
1 Corinthians 10:14-22 King James Version
14 Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.
15 I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say.
16 The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?
17 For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.
18 Behold Israel after the flesh: are not they which eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar?
19 What say I then? that the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing?
20 But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils.
21 Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord’s table, and of the table of devils.
22 Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he?
Colossians 3:12-17 King James Version
12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;
13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.
15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.
16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
17 And what soever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
Part 2 · Let’s understand what we read
Let’s pray: Father, help us listen carefully to Your Word. Show us what You taught Israel and how these passages help us understand Jesus. Give us thankful hearts and teach us to care for one another. In Jesus’ name, amen.
In Class 7, we learned about the priests’ daily service. Leviticus 7 continues those instructions. It explains the guilt offering, the peace offering, and the portions given to the priests. The chapter ends by reminding us that God gave these commands to Moses at Sinai.
Torah means instruction. These commands belonged to God’s covenant with Israel. A covenant is a binding relationship with promises and responsibilities. We first ask what the instructions meant for Israel. Then we follow the New Testament’s teaching about Jesus and our response to Him.
Our main truth: Jesus brings us near to God. We respond with thankful hearts, faithful worship, and love for one another.
1. God set apart the offerings and provided for the priests
Leviticus 7:1 King James Version
1 Likewise this is the law of the trespass offering: it is most holy.
Leviticus 7:6-7 King James Version
6 Every male among the priests shall eat thereof: it shall be eaten in the holy place: it is most holy.
7 As the sin offering is, so is the trespass offering: there is one law for them: the priest that maketh atonement therewith shall have it.
“Trespass” means wrongdoing. The trespass offering is also called the guilt offering. “Most holy” means the offering was especially set apart for God. The priests could not handle it however they wished. God told them who could eat it and where.
The chapter also describes blood and certain fat around the animal’s organs. Words such as “inwards,” “flanks,” and “caul” describe parts of the animal’s body. These were real instructions for Israel’s sacrifices. We do not need to give each body part a hidden spiritual meaning.
Leviticus 7:31-32 King James Version
31 And the priest shall burn the fat upon the altar: but the breast shall be Aaron’s and his sons’.
32 And the right shoulder shall ye give unto the priest for an heave offering of the sacrifices of your peace offerings.
God assigned portions of the peace offerings to the priests, too. The person bringing an offering presented it personally, and the priests received the parts God appointed. Worship included both honoring God and providing food for those who served. We can respond today by serving faithfully and caring for people who serve others.
2. Thanksgiving had a place at the table
Leviticus 7:11-13 King James Version
11 And this is the law of the sacrifice of peace offerings, which he shall offer unto the LORD.
12 If he offer it for a thanksgiving, then he shall offer with the sacrifice of thanksgiving unleavened cakes mingled with oil, and unleavened wafers anointed with oil, and cakes mingled with oil, of fine flour, fried.
13 Besides the cakes, he shall offer for his offering leavened bread with the sacrifice of thanksgiving of his peace offerings.
The peace offering included a meal. Some portions belonged on the altar, some went to the priests, and the remaining meat could be eaten by people who were ritually clean. One reason for bringing this offering was thanksgiving. The worshiper was responding to God with gratitude.
Notice the bread. The thanksgiving offering included both bread without leaven and bread with leaven. Leaven makes dough rise. The text does not say that the leavened bread was burned on the altar. We should follow the instructions for this particular offering instead of assuming every offering had the same rules.
Leviticus 7:15-17 King James Version
15 And the flesh of the sacrifice of his peace offerings for thanksgiving shall be eaten the same day that it is offered; he shall not leave any of it until the morning.
16 But if the sacrifice of his offering be a vow, or a voluntary offering, it shall be eaten the same day that he offereth his sacrifice: and on the morrow also the remainder of it shall be eaten:
17 But the remainder of the flesh of the sacrifice on the third day shall be burnt with fire.
The thanksgiving meat had to be eaten that day. An offering connected with a vow or a freely given gift could be eaten that day and the next. Any meat remaining on the third day had to be burned. A vow was a serious promise to God. A voluntary offering was a gift freely brought.
These were God’s instructions for Israel’s worship. The passage does not explain every reason behind the time limits. We do not need to invent one. A clear lesson is that gratitude and obedience belonged together. Saying “thank You” to God also meant taking His words seriously.
When I thank God, how can my choices show that I am listening to Him?
3. A shared meal still required respect for God
Leviticus 7:19-21 King James Version
19 And the flesh that toucheth any unclean thing shall not be eaten; it shall be burnt with fire: and as for the flesh, all that be clean shall eat thereof.
20 But the soul that eateth of the flesh of the sacrifice of peace offerings, that pertain unto the LORD, having his uncleanness upon him, even that soul shall be cut off from his people.
21 Moreover the soul that shall touch any unclean thing, as the uncleanness of man, or any unclean beast, or any abominable unclean thing, and eat of the flesh of the sacrifice of peace offerings, which pertain unto the LORD, even that soul shall be cut off from his people.
“Unclean” here describes a person’s or an object’s condition under Israel’s rules for worship. It does not simply mean dirty, and it does not always mean someone had done something morally wrong. God gave Israel boundaries for approaching what was holy.
The warning about being “cut off” was serious. Ignoring these rules brought severe consequences within God’s covenant with Israel. We should not use this passage to label a poor, sick, or struggling person as unwanted by God. Its subject is the proper handling and eating of Israel’s sacred offerings.
Leviticus 7:25-27 King James Version
25 For whosoever eateth the fat of the beast, of which men offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD, even the soul that eateth it shall be cut off from his people.
26 Moreover ye shall eat no manner of blood, whether it be of fowl or of beast, in any of your dwellings.
27 Whatsoever soul it be that eateth any manner of blood, even that soul shall be cut off from his people.
God also prohibited eating the sacrificial fat described in the chapter and prohibited eating blood. These commands were part of Israel’s covenant life. They taught the people to respect what God had reserved. Israel’s sacred meals were part of worship, and sharing them called for careful obedience to God.
4. Jesus gave Himself once for us
Hebrews 10:10-14 King James Version
10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
11 And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins:
12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;
13 From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool.
14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.
Israel’s priests offered sacrifices again and again. Hebrews directs our attention to Jesus, who offered Himself once. His sacrifice does not need to be repeated. The reason we can come near to God is what Jesus has done for us.
“Sanctified” means set apart for God. Verse 14 does not mean believers never make mistakes or no longer need to grow. It describes the lasting result of Jesus’ offering for His people. Our confidence rests in His completed sacrifice as we keep learning to obey Him.
Thankfulness is our response to this gift. We do not bring good deeds as a payment to make Jesus love us. We trust Him and respond to His love with the way we live.
5. Jesus welcomes His people around His table
Luke 22:19-20 King James Version
19 And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.
20 Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.
Jesus shared the Passover meal with His apostles. He spoke about the bread as His body given for them and the cup as the new covenant in His blood. The older English word “testament” here means covenant. Jesus directed their attention to His coming death and told them to remember Him.
The Passover meal was different from the thanksgiving offering in Leviticus 7. We should not treat them as the same ceremony. Yet both passages help us see that a meal can have a serious place in worship. Paul makes a further connection between sharing a sacred meal and belonging together.
1 Corinthians 10:16-18 King James Version
16 The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?
17 For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.
18 Behold Israel after the flesh: are not they which eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar?
“Communion” means sharing or participating together. Paul speaks of sharing in Christ’s body and blood. He then points to Israel: those who ate the sacrifices shared in the altar. His comparison shows that these meals expressed a real relationship of worship.
Paul also says that the many are one body. Around the Lord’s table, we remember Jesus together as people who belong to Him. That should shape how we treat one another when the meal is over.
6. Belonging to Jesus calls for faithful worship
1 Corinthians 10:20-22 King James Version
20 But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils.
21 Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord’s table, and of the table of devils.
22 Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he?
Paul was warning believers about taking part in idol worship. An idol is something people worship in place of the true God. His concern here was participation in worship, not simply sitting beside a person who believed differently. He told the church to flee idolatry.
The Lord’s table called for loyalty to the Lord. People could not honor Jesus with one act of worship and then join worship that turned away from Him. The warning about provoking the Lord to jealousy describes His rightful claim to His people’s faithfulness.
Our response is to give Jesus our worship and follow Him honestly. We can treat neighbors with kindness and respect while remaining faithful to Him. A thankful heart learns to say yes to Jesus in everyday choices.
7. Let gratitude change how you treat people
Colossians 3:12-15 King James Version
12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;
13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.
15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.
Paul begins by calling these believers chosen, holy, and loved. God’s love comes before their response. He tells them to “put on” kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, as someone puts on clothing. “Bowels of mercies” is an older way of speaking about deep compassion.
Forgiveness and love belong in this shared life. We remember that the Lord has forgiven us, and we learn to forgive others. Being one body means the people beside us matter. Gratitude should be heard in our prayers and seen in how we care for them.
Colossians 3:16-17 King James Version
16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
17 And what soever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
Letting Christ’s word live richly in us means making room for His teaching to shape our thoughts and choices. We read, listen, learn, sing, and help one another understand. Giving thanks through Jesus becomes part of ordinary life.
Try this at your next meal: name one gift from God, thank Him, and pay attention to someone at the table. Include someone who feels left out. Speak kindly. Help clean up. A thankful heart can turn a simple meal into a moment of love and care.
Talk about it with friends
1. What do the different instructions in Leviticus 7 teach us about listening carefully to God?
2. How did the offerings provide for the priests? What is one way we can care for people who serve others?
3. What does Hebrews teach us about Jesus’ sacrifice? Why can our gratitude begin with what He has already done?
4. Why is sharing the Lord’s table connected with faithfulness to Jesus and care for His people?
5. Which quality in Colossians 3 do you need to practice today: compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, forgiveness, or love?
Put it into practice today
Give specific thanks. Tell God three things you are grateful for, including what Jesus has done for you. You can be honest about a hard day while still thanking Him for His care.
Make room for someone. Share a meal if you can, or give someone your time and attention. Listen without rushing. Let your gratitude become a practical act of kindness.
Choose one faithful response. Read Colossians 3:12-17 again and ask Jesus to help you put one instruction into practice. At the end of the day, thank Him for His help and talk with Him about what you are still learning.
A verse to remember
Colossians 3:17 King James Version
17 And what soever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
Read this verse aloud. Think of one thing you will say or do today. How can you do it in a way that honors Jesus and gives thanks to God?
Let’s pray together
Father, thank You for bringing us near through Jesus. Thank You for His complete sacrifice and for making us part of His people. Teach us to worship You faithfully, listen to Your Word, and live with gratitude. Make us patient, forgiving, and kind. Help us notice people who need care and share what You have given us. In Jesus’ name, amen.
I love you, my friends. As you follow Jesus, let your gratitude make room for someone else.
Scripture and sources
Scripture text was checked against the King James Version published by eBible.org. Complete verses retain the historical wording; editorial footnotes are omitted. Scripture references link to the source chapter.