Leviticus 8-9

Leviticus 8-9

If you have not yet read the previous chapters and the appropriate blog posting, I encourage you to read them so that you will have a better understanding about each of the sacrifices.

Here in Leviticus 8 and 9 Aaron and his sons are finally consecrated as priests, which was being delayed until the tabernacle could be prepared and all of the laws surrounding the sacrifices were complete.  Aaron and his sons were washed in water, which signified the importance of them purifying themselves from their sin.  It was of utmost importance that the priests would remain pure and blameless from sin in order that they would not be struck down by God, and so that the sacrifices made would be pleasing to God.  In the same way Christ washed us from our sin with His blood and makes us kings and priests before God. 

In Leviticus 8:14-36, the priest carries out the sacrifices in order to atone for the sins of the people.  We look forward to our great High Priest, Jesus Christ, who, with His blood sacrificed himself to atone for our sins and wash us clean.  We can rejoice that Jesus is a faithful and merciful High Priest who was compassionate towards us and loved us to death on a cross.

 

As Christians we are called to priesthood.  Like the ancient priests, it is important for us to live lives that put Christ on display.  We're called to a higher standard of living and be representatives for Christ and His Kingdom.  In our walk with Him, do we hold true to the character of Christ, and do our lives overflow as an offering holy and pleasing to God?

In Leviticus 9:1-21, the sacrifices continue, and again it is important to be thankful that we do not need to perform these sacrifices any more, for our debt has been paid in full through Christ Jesus.  Our very best calf or lamb or burnt offerings were never enough to satisfy God, but now we can wash ourselves in the blood of Christ for our guilt and shame have been done away by one more pure and more noble than those.  As soon as the sacrifices were made, the glory of God appeared to all of the people.  God saw the sacrifices being made and recognized their repentant hearts were sincere.  

Once the glory of God appeared before His people, and He found the sacrifices acceptable, a fire came out from before the Lord and consumed the offerings.  This fire, which was meant to consume the people because of their sin, instead consumed the sacrifice as atonement for sins.

Israel responded immediately by falling down and worshiping the Lord.  In that moment they discovered the grace and mercy and glory of God.  

How do you respond to God's grace and mercy and glory in your life?

These chapters brought this hymn to mind by Charitie L. Bancroft: 

Before the throne of God above
I have a strong and perfect plea.
A great high Priest whose Name is Love
Who ever lives and pleads for me.
My name is graven on His hands,
My name is written on His heart.
I know that while in Heaven He stands
No tongue can bid me thence depart.

When Satan tempts me to despair
And tells me of the guilt within,
Upward I look and see Him there
Who made an end of all my sin.
Because the sinless Savior died
My sinful soul is counted free.
For God the just is satisfied
To look on Him and pardon me.

Behold Him there the risen Lamb,
My perfect spotless righteousness,
The great unchangeable I AM,
The King of glory and of grace,
One in Himself I cannot die.
My soul is purchased by His blood,
My life is hid with Christ on high,
With Christ my Savior and my God!