ALPHA MAAMA (A.M.)

Monite ‘Epeleli 17, 2023 

שלמים Shalom Sacrifices

KO E FEILAULAU SALOME (FAKALELEI)

LEVITICUS 3:1-2

"IF HIS OFFERING IS A SACRIFICE OF PEACE OFFERING, IF HE OFFERS AN ANIMAL FROM THE HERD, MALE OR FEMALE, HE SHALL OFFER IT WITHOUT BLEMISH BEFORE THE LORD. AND HE SHALL LAY HIS HAND ON THE HEAD OF HIS OFFERING AND KILL IT AT THE ENTRANCE OF THE TENT OF MEETING, AND AARON'S SONS THE PRIESTS SHALL THROW THE BLOOD AGAINST THE SIDES OF THE ALTAR."

LEVITIKO 3:1-2

PEA kapau ko e feilaulau-‘ofa ‘a ‘ene kōpano, ko e ‘omi mei he fanga pulu, pe ko ha manu tangata pe fefine, ‘e ta‘ehano mele, pea te ne ‘atu ia ‘i he ‘ao ‘o Sihova. 2Pea te ne hilifaki hono nima ki he ‘ulu ‘o ‘ene kōpano, pea te ne tāmate‘i ia ‘i he mata Tēniti Fe‘iloaki‘anga; pea ko e ngaahi foha ‘o ‘Ēlone, ‘a ia ‘oku taula‘eiki, te nau luluku ‘aki ‘a e toto ‘a e ‘ōlita takatakai.

Shalom, like Amen and Hallelujah, is one of those words at home on the lips of all varieties of non-Hebrew speakers. Shalom is also the root of one of Israel's main sacrifices, the sh'lamim ("peace offering"). But shalom encompasses not just peace but wholeness, integrity, well-being. The Greek OT translates sh'lamim as "sacrifices of salvation." And salvation, peace, and well-being were, quite literally, something you could sink your teeth into.

The sh'lamim was the meal God shared with his people. The blood went on the altar, but most of the meat was returned to the worshiper, to be cooked and eaten in a celebratory meal (7:11 ff.). Beginning with the tree of life, God has made his life and blessings edible. "Taste and see that the Lord is good" (Ps. 34:8). "The afflicted shall eat and be satisfied" (Ps. 22:26), for Christ himself is our peace and peace offering (Eph. 2:14). God prepares a table before us, laden with the Lamb himself.

The eyes of all look to you, O Lord, to feed us with the food that endures to eternal life.