The peace offering included a wave offering and a heave offering to symbolize that the portions given to the priests first belonged to God and were presented before Him in acknowledgment of His ownership. These acts were public demons/”>demonstrations of thanksgiving and consecration.
Leviticus 7:30 says:
“His own hands shall bring the offerings made by fire to the Lord. The fat with the breast he shall bring, that the breast may be waved as a wave offering before the Lord.”
The wave offering involved moving the portion back and forth before the altar, signifying presentation to God and then His granting it to the priest. The heave offering, often the thigh, was lifted upward as a sign of dedication. Both actions affirmed that what was given to the priest had first been offered to God.
These ceremonies reminded Israel that all provision comes from the Lord and that fellowship with Him includes acknowledging His lordship over every gift.
Spiritually, these offerings foreshadowed Christ’s mediating work, through which we present ourselves and our blessings to God. Romans 12:1 applies this principle:
“Present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.”
