Archive for: Leviticus

God’s Mighty Men

Did you know there was a special group of men in the Bible called David’s Mighty Men? David’s Mighty Men were an elite band of roughly 37 loyal, highly skilled warriors—warriors whose courage and loyalty set them apart from all others. They were known for extreme bravery and supernatural feats, often overcoming impossible odds. But they weren’t famous simply because they were strong. They were mighty because they were​​ obedient men​​ who moved at the word of their king, even when that word was spoken casually and the cost was enormous. There’s one story that stands out to me about these mighty men found in 2 Samuel 23:13-17. David mentions—almost in passing—that he longs for a drink of water from the well of Bethlehem. He doesn’t issue a command. He doesn’t demand action. Yet three of his mighty men break through enemy lines, risk their lives, and return with water drawn from that well. Why? Because obedience to their king mattered more than their own safety. And when David sees what their obedience cost, he refuses to drink the water. Instead, he pours it out before the Lord. Why? Because obedience like that belongs to God—it produces worship, and worship invites glory. That moment teaches us something vital: God’s glory is not experienced through convenience, talent, or good intentions. It is revealed when His people respond to Him​​ in worship​​ with reverent obedience.

And this is where the story intersects with our scripture this morning. Because while David’s mighty men fought battles with swords in the valley, there was another group of “mighty men”,​​ Aaron and his sons, the priests of Israel,​​ fighting a different kind of battle. They carried no weapons of war, yet they stood daily in the presence of a holy God. Their battlefield was the altar. Their weapons were obedience, sacrifice, reverence​​ and worship. And if they failed—not in combat, but in​​ worship—the nation would not lose land, but something far more devastating: the glory of God’s presence. David’s warriors defended Israel from enemies without. Aaron’s sons defended Israel from corruption within. One group protected the kingdom’s borders; the other protected the kingdom’s relationship with God. Both teach us the same truth: God’s glory is never separated from obedient worship. So as we begin our study of Leviticus 9 today, here’s the question before us: Are we willing to be God’s mighty people—not merely in belief, but in obedience—so that we might truly experience His glory? That brings us to our big idea that​​ God’s people must worship Him in obedience to experience His glory.

Let’s pray: Gracious God, we quiet our hearts before You now. Open our minds to Your truth, soften our spirits to Your leading, and prepare us to receive Your Word. May it speak clearly to us, transform us deeply, and draw us closer to You. Guide our time this morning for Your glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

This morning, we are going to see what​​ is​​ required of the Israelites​​ for​​ them to experience the glory of God. Which will then​​ inform us about what is required for us to experience God’s glory and to worship Him in joy and awe.​​ Our first point,​​ God’s Presence, found in Leviticus 9:1-7. You can follow along as I read. This is what God’s Word says, “On the eighth day Moses summoned Aaron and his sons and the elders of Israel. He said to Aaron, “Take a bull calf for your sin offering and a ram for your burnt offering, both without defect, and present them before the LORD. Then say to the Israelites: ‘Take a male goat for a sin offering, a calf and a lamb—both a year old and without defect—for a burnt offering, and an ox and a ram for a fellowship offering to sacrifice before the LORD, together with a grain offering mixed with olive oil. For today the LORD will appear to you.’” They took the things Moses​​ commanded to the front of the tent of meeting, and the entire assembly came near and stood before the LORD. Then Moses said, “This is what the LORD has commanded you to do, so that the glory of the LORD may appear to you.” Moses said to Aaron, “Come to the altar and sacrifice your sin offering and your burnt offering and make atonement for yourself and the people; sacrifice the offering that is for the people and make atonement for them, as the LORD has commanded.”

The first thing we see is a timestamp. We are told exactly when the events of this chapter​​ take place. Aaron and his sons have just finished their seven-day ordination ceremony​​ and​​ the first verse says, “it came to pass on the eight​​ days.” Now we can assume that this is important or Moses may have just written “the next day.” In the Hebrew, the number eight means “to make fat” signifying​​ something​​ super-abundant. In the Bible, the number eight symbolizes new beginnings, resurrection, and regeneration. As the number following seven,​​ which means perfection or completeness, it signifies a fresh start,​​ representing a new order or creation that emerges after the completion of a previous cycle.​​ We see that God uses the number eight a lot in the Bible. The English word​​ for the number​​ "eight" appears 80 times in the KJV. It is found 74 times in the OT​​ and 6​​ in the NT.​​ In Hebrew society, the eighth​​ day became an important part of Israelite rituals.​​ It​​ was​​ set aside for the perfecting and purifying of both man and​​ animal.​​ This included​​ the dedication of the firstborn to God, circumcision, purification of one suffering from a skin disease or from a bodily discharge. Also, an​​ animal could not be sacrificed until they were eight days old, the Feast of Shelters​​ concluded​​ on the eight​​ days​​ with a festival, and​​ in​​ the​​ purification of a defiled Nazirite, they shaved their head on the seventh day, brought sacrifices and restarted their Nazarite vow on the eighth day.​​ 

Moses is still the covenant mediator as he called​​ for​​ Aaron and his sons and the elders of Israel. The elders​​ were called because they represented​​ the Israelite​​ people. They may have been the same people whom Moses called in chapter 8 to observe the ordination ceremony on behalf of the entire congregation.​​ Moses​​ directs​​ Aaron​​ to​​ take​​ a young bull calf without blemish to sacrifice as a sin offering​​ and​​ a ram without blemish as a burnt offering, both​​ for himself. Aaron was to offer these animals as sacrifices before the Lord on the burnt altar. The Hebrew word used here for calf is the same word used for the golden calf​​ that Aaron made at the request of the Israelites​​ in Exodus​​ 32. Interestingly, this word is only mentioned three times in the first five books of the Bible and all of them reference the golden calf.​​ It’s​​ as if God was redeeming Aaron from his “great sin” in leading the people into​​ idolatry and​​ pagan​​ worship of the golden calf.​​ This reminds me of Jesus redeeming Peter after​​ he denied​​ Him three times.​​ The calf will be sacrificed for the purification​​ and atonement​​ of Aaron’s​​ sins,​​ and the ram will be sacrificed as a burnt offering which reflects Aaron’s total commitment and strength offered to God as a “living sacrifice.”

Moses then tells​​ Aaron to tell the children of Israel to​​ take​​ a​​ male​​ goat without blemish to be sacrificed as their sin offering and a calf and a lamb, both one year old,​​ without blemish to be sacrificed as their burnt offering. This marks the beginning of Aaron’s role as High Priest of Israel. After the sacrifice and offerings of his ordination ceremony,​​ he now has the authority to​​ speak to the people when​​ it​​ comes​​ to​​ worship and​​ priestly matters. The​​ male​​ goat, or the hairy goat,​​ was​​ the same sin offering that the leader of the congregation was to bring​​ when they sinned unintentionally,​​ according to Leviticus 4:23. This was brought because the leaders or elders were accountable to God for themselves and​​ for those under them. Hair represents an awareness of sin, and the hairy goat symbolizes the consciousness of sin. Jesus is the picture of the​​ hairy goat, who came to be the sin offering for those who acknowledge and turn from their sin. The people were required to bring two animals for their burnt offering, a one-year-old calf and a one-year-old lamb.​​ Again, the Hebrew word for calf is the same as the one for Aaron and so it seems God is also redeeming the people for their role in worshipping the golden calf.​​ The meaning of the word for lamb is “to dominate” and pictures Christ dominating​​ sin and​​ defeating it. God accepts Jesus Christ as an acceptable​​ sin​​ offering.

Next, we see two​​ more​​ offerings that the people were to bring.​​ They were to​​ take​​ an ox​​ and a ram​​ for​​ peace offerings and a grain offering mixed with oil before the Lord. The peace offering symbolized that the previous offerings were accepted by the Lord and there could now be communion and fellowship between God and the people.​​ Notice that every type of offering is being presented​​ except for the reparation or guilt offering. This was probably because the reparation offering was a more personal and individual sacrifice​​ which never appeared as a public sacrifice, presumably because its role was specialized​​ in​​ cases involving certain or suspected sacrilege.​​ Next, we see what all these sacrifices were for. It was because the Lord was going to appear to them​​ that day. This​​ phrase is​​ in​​ the past tense. The Lord’s appearance is a foregone conclusion, an accomplished fact. It is the same past tense we see in Psalm 102:16, which says, “For the Lord will rebuild Zion and appear in his glory.” This is speaking of Jesus Christ being resurrected on the third day and appearing to His disciples and others signifying the new beginning that had taken place. If the Israelite congregation would worship the Lord in obedience, they were promised that they would see God’s Presence​​ appear to them.​​ 

We are told that Aaron and the people obediently brought the sacrifices Moses commanded to the front of the tent of meeting and the entire​​ assembly came near and stood before the Lord.​​ The​​ elders​​ are still present before the Lord​​ but​​ there may have been others​​ in the congregation​​ who tried to find good vantage points​​ to​​ see the proceedings. Moses reiterates that if they are obedient in their worship of the Lord,​​ the​​ glory​​ of the Lord would​​ appear to them,​​ showing​​ His pleasure for their obedience.​​ Moses tells Aaron to go to the burnt altar and offer his sin and burnt offerings to make atonement for himself and the people and then​​ to​​ offer the sin offering for the people to make atonement for them. Even though Aaron had offered sin offerings before the Lord in the past seven days, he was still required to make atonement for himself. This shows us two things. One, Aaron was a human priest who had to continually present sin offerings before the Lord​​ repeatedly. Which​​ reminds​​ us​​ that Jesus Christ,​​ our perfect High Priest, made his sin sacrifice for us once and for all. Only after​​ Aaron’s​​ sins are atoned for and forgiven can he offer the sin offering on the people’s​​ behalf, making​​ atonement​​ for them.​​ Two,​​ Aaron​​ would​​ now​​ be​​ fully acting as​​ High Priest on behalf of the people.

That brings us to our second point,​​ God’s Provision, found in verses 8-21. This is what God’s Word says, “So Aaron came to the altar and slaughtered the calf as a sin offering for himself. His sons brought the blood to him, and he dipped his finger into the blood and put it on the horns of the altar; the rest of the blood he poured out at the base of the altar. On the altar he burned the fat, the kidneys and the long lobe of the liver from the sin offering, as the LORD commanded Moses; the flesh and the hide he​​ burned​​ outside the camp. Then he slaughtered the burnt offering. His sons handed him the blood, and he splashed it against the sides of the altar. They handed him the burnt offering piece by piece, including the head, and he burned them on the altar. He washed the internal organs and the legs and burned them on top of the burnt offering on the altar. Aaron then brought the offering that was for the people. He​​ took the goat for the people’s sin offering and slaughtered it and offered it for a sin offering as he did​​ for himself.​​ He brought the burnt offering and offered it in the prescribed way. He also brought the grain offering, took a handful of it and burned it on the altar in addition to the morning’s burnt offering.​​ He slaughtered the ox and the ram as the fellowship offering for the people. His sons handed him the blood, and he splashed it against the sides of the altar. But the fat portions of the ox and the ram—the fat tail, the layer of fat, the kidneys and the long lobe of the liver— these they laid on the breasts, and then Aaron burned the fat on the altar. Aaron waved the breasts and the right thigh before the LORD as a wave offering, as Moses​​ commanded.

Now we see God’s provision of the system of sacrifices​​ for the atonement that​​ He​​ required in order that everyone could see His presence. We see the proper order that God commanded for the sacrifices as Aaron went to the altar and killed the calf for his sin offering. The atonement of sin had to come first before a person could completely dedicate themselves to the Lord. Aaron is the one who kills the calf symbolizing that Jesus Christ was​​ our​​ willing sacrifice on the altar of the cross. Then we see Aaron’s son’s, the priests, effectively being installed in their role in the sacrificial system.​​ His sons​​ also​​ needed to be atoned for​​ and so each one,​​ by faith, brought​​ the blood of the sacrifice to Aaron.​​ Aaron dipped his finger in the blood and put it on the horns of the burnt altar and poured the rest out at the base of the altar.​​ Normally, when the sin offering was offered for the High Priest, he had to take the blood into the Holy Place and sprinkle it before the veil and then put it on the horns of the incense altar.​​ Because he didn’t do that, we can surmise​​ two things. One, this offering​​ was​​ for Aaron’s sin nature not​​ for a​​ specific sin committed by him. Two, he did​​ not have access to the Holy​​ Place​​ yet. Now that he has offered his​​ sign​​ offering,​​ he will have​​ that​​ access,​​ as we will witness a little​​ later​​ in our passage.​​ The blood placed on the horns of the altar symbolizes Christ blood that has the power to cleanse and forgive sin. Pouring out the rest of the blood symbolized Christ’s shed blood on the cross. It also symbolized that the blood belonged to God and it was being returned to Him.​​ 

As Aaron continued to obey God’s commands for their worship, he burned the fat, the kidneys,​​ and​​ the fatty lobe of the liver on the altar.​​ These symbolized the best part of the animal​​ and that​​ God deserves​​ the best of our worship.​​ Aaron then burned the flesh and the hide outside the camp. It would have been unacceptable for​​ Him​​ to partake of the animal since it was offered for his sin. It would have been symbolic of Aaron taking his sin back inside himself​​ and​​ so it​​ had to be purged from the camp. This was all done according to the Lord’s commands​​ to Moses.​​ Then Aaron continues to offer the sacrifices in an orderly fashion as he offers the burnt offering. Once His sin was atoned for, he could dedicate himself wholly to the Lord. Again, each of his sons present the blood of the sacrifice to Aaron and so is representative of them all dedicating themselves wholly to the Lord. Aaron splashes​​ the blood all around the altar​​ symbolizing the complete atonement, purification, and consecration of the altar for holy use. Aaron’s sons cut up the burnt offering so it will burn completely on the altar, and they hand the pieces and the head to Aaron to burn. Aaron washed the entrails and legs symbolizing the inner purity of Christ and that there was no defilement in him. Even with living on the earth as a human being there was no defilement found in​​ his life. This signifies that Aaron and his sons are to live the same way as God’s priests as Jesus did. ​​ 

Now that Aaron and his sons have been atoned for and they have completely dedicated themselves as living sacrifices to the Lord they can now be mediators to the people of Israel and offer their sacrifices to​​ God.​​ Again,​​ Aaron starts​​ with the sin offering.​​ He killed​​ the goat and​​ offered it to God​​ for their atonement. This highlights the fact that we must have an acceptable mediator to offer our sacrifices before the Lord for our atonement. Of course, this is Jesus Christ, our High Priest and mediator, who became sin for us​​ and made us acceptable to God. The remains of the goat were to be eaten by Aaron and his sons according to the instructions given previously. They could partake because it was not offered for their sin and because the blood was never carried into the Holy Place.​​ Now in quick succession we see Aaron offering the burnt offering, the grain offering and the peace offering. Aaron​​ continues​​ to be obedient as he brings the burnt offering in the prescribed way,​​ in the same pattern as​​ he did for himself and​​ his sons. The people were now wholly dedicated to​​ God. Aaron then brought the grain offering and took the memorial portion and burned it on the altar in addition to the morning’s burnt offering. The memorial portion symbolized that the people remembered and were grateful to the Lord for his provision for them. If you remember they were to sacrifice a lamb in the morning and one in the evening as a burnt offering. The grain offering would be put on top of the​​ morning​​ burnt offering​​ that was already​​ on top of the altar.​​ The peace offering for the people consisted of an ox​​ and a ram. Aaron killed them and his sons brought the blood to him, and he splashed it against the sides of the altar. He took all the fat from both animals and laid it on the breasts and the right thigh. Once the fat, the breasts and the right thigh were waved before the Lord, the fat was burned on the altar and the​​ breasts,​​ and the right thigh were​​ reserved for the priests.​​ If everything was done obediently,​​ God​​ would​​ provide for their atonement, their dedication, their​​ gratitude and their peace with​​ Him,​​ and​​ they would experience the glory of God.​​ 

That brings us to our third point,​​ God’s Glory, found in Leviticus 9:22-24. This is what God’ Word says, “Then Aaron lifted his hands toward the people and blessed them. And having sacrificed the sin offering, the​​ burnt offering and the fellowship offering, he stepped down. Moses and Aaron then went into the tent of meeting. When they came out, they blessed the people; and the glory of the LORD appeared to all the people. Fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed the burnt offering and the fat portions on the altar. And when all the people saw it, they shouted for joy and fell facedown.

Aaron is​​ now​​ fully installed as the High Priest of Israel and has performed the sacrifices God ordained for their worship and he has been obedient throughout. In honor of mediating on behalf of the people, he consecrates the moment and his authority by​​ lifting his​​ hands in blessing and​​ praying​​ to God. Some commentators say​​ this​​ was the high priestly blessing found in Numbers 6:24-26​​ which​​ says, “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.”’​​ Another tradition says the blessing could have been​​ Psalm 90:17​​ which​​ says, “May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us—yes, establish the work of our hands.” This​​ one​​ is interesting because​​ it​​ is the oldest Psalm in the Bible and the only one written by Moses.​​ Aaron acknowledging his right to bless the people foreshadows Jesus Christ and his blessing given to His​​ disciples at​​ His ascension. Luke 24:50-51 says, “When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he​​ lifted​​ his hands and blessed them. While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven.” No matter what the words were,​​ the blessing originated from God​​ himself,​​ and Aaron was the vehicle in which it was given​​ to the people. Then Aaron​​ stepped​​ down from offering the sin offering, the burnt offering, and peace offering. “Stepped​​ down” could mean​​ two things: One,​​ that Aaron​​ stepped down​​ a​​ ramp built beside the altar, if there was one. This​​ may have​​ made it easier for the priests to​​ access the altar and the sacrifices. Or that he left the altar,​​ stepped down, and approached the people,​​ meaning he​​ stepped​​ down in place of importance not in elevation.​​ He was now on their level.

Then we see for the first time Aaron entering the tent of meeting and Moses for​​ the​​ last time. From now on Aaron and his sons would be responsible for the spiritual condition of the Israelites. We are not told what​​ Moses and Aaron​​ did inside the Holy Place. There was probably a private transfer of priestly duties from Moses to Aaron. Moses may have been pointing out the furniture and giving instructions for each. They may have prayed at the altar of incense and sprinkled blood before the veil. If nothing else, it showed the people that everything that was done that day was accepted by God and that Aaron had been accepted as the High Priest. The people may have been holding their breath to see if they would come out from the presence of the Lord in the tabernacle. When they finally did come out, Moses and Aaron spoke in unison and blessed the people​​ again.​​ Again, we don’t know what was said but we do know what happened next. The glory of the Lord appeared to all the people and fire came out from before the Lord and​​ totally​​ consumed the burnt offering and the fat on the altar.​​ Commentators are split about whether the offerings had already been smoldering on the altar or the offerings were all ignited at the same time by the Lord’s fire. But what we​​ do​​ know is that when the Lord’s fire hit the altar the offerings were totally consumed showing God’s approval of their obedient worship.​​ The fire came from the presence of the Lord which means it probably came out from the Holy of Holies in the tabernacle. It was clear that the fire came​​ from the Lord and not from Moses and Aaron.​​ The​​ Israelites​​ saw and personally experienced the glory of the Lord. They had worshipped their Covenant King and Lord in obedience. They had​​ correctly​​ offered the prescribed sacrifices that God had provided for their atonement and so God allowed them to experience His glory (Big Idea). And we see the result of the Lord’s glory manifested in the​​ people’s presence. They​​ shouted for joy and fell on their faces in awe and worship.​​ 

In conclusion, the question for us today is,​​ have you experienced the glory of God?​​ Or maybe you’re wondering how​​ can I​​ experience His glory?​​ First, what is the glory of God? The glory of God is the manifest beauty, weightiness or significance of God, and​​ the​​ splendor of His character, holiness, and attributes. It is the outward display of His inner essence—including His love, power, and justice—revealed through creation, scripture, and Jesus Christ. The glory of God​​ serves as the goal of all things and the source of human joy. It is often associated with the tangible presence of God. Second, how can we recognize His glory? We recognize His glory when we see and experience His goodness, justice, and mercy. We recognize His glory through His​​ works​​ including miracles, salvation, and the answering of prayer.​​ Third, how do we experience God’s glory today? Experiencing the glory of​​ God​​ today is achieved by actively focusing on the life, character, and work of Jesus Christ, walking in love, obeying His commands and living in complete devotion​​ to Him. It means​​ striving with the help of the Holy Spirit to become more like Jesus. To prepare to experience God’s glory, we must remove hindrances like unrepentant​​ sin and cultivate a healthy reverence or fear for the Lord.​​ We must have a hunger and thirst​​ for righteousness and seek​​ a deeper relationship with God​​ which includes​​ intentional spiritual practices,​​ such as spending time in prayer, studying the Bible, and heartfelt, obedient​​ worship.​​ That brings us to our​​ first​​ next step which is​​ I will​​ give​​ my life​​ in complete​​ devotion​​ to God and worship Him in​​ obedience​​ to​​ experience​​ His​​ glory.

Now​​ if​​ you have experienced the​​ glory​​ of​​ God, it’s important that you manifest or display God’s glory to those around you.​​ By you displaying the glory of God might be the very thing someone needs to experience to​​ bring them into the family of God.​​ How do we manifest God’s glory to those around us?​​ It​​ involves reflecting His character—love, holiness, and power—through intentional daily actions, such as performing good works, exercising forgiveness, and serving others. It is achieved by living a consecrated life, speaking truth, and sharing the Gospel, which allows God's wisdom and presence to shine through you.​​ We​​ reflect or "give" glory to God by praising Him, living according to His will, and acknowledging His worth.​​ Essentially, by aligning your life with God’s principles, your life becomes a testament to His power, presence and glory.​​ That bring us to our​​ last​​ next step which is​​ I will​​ display​​ the glory of God to those around me by my life becoming a​​ testament​​ to God’s​​ power,​​ presence​​ and​​ glory.

As the praise team comes to lead us in a final song and the ushers prepare to collect the tithes and offerings, let’s pray:​​ Heavenly Father, thank you for your Word. Thank you for your Holy Spirit, who helps us to understand the truths found in it.​​ Lord, we ask for the​​ Holy Spirit​​ to​​ help us to worship obediently and allow us to experience your glory in our lives and in the life of our church. Help us to​​ give​​ our lives​​ in complete devotion to​​ you. And help us to​​ display​​ your​​ glory​​ to​​ those around​​ us​​ by​​ our lives​​ becoming a testament to​​ your​​ power, presence and glory.​​ In Jesus’ name, Amen.

The Dream Team

Imagine the Master Carpenter’s tools holding a conference: Brother Hammer presides, but several suggest he leave the meeting because he is too noisy. Brother Hammer replies, “If I​​ must​​ leave this shop, Brother Screw must go also. You have to turn him​​ around​​ again and again to get him to accomplish anything.” Brother Screw then speaks up: “If you wish, I’ll leave. But Brother Plane must leave as well.​​ All​​ his work is on the surface. His efforts have no depth.” To this, Brother Plane responds, “Brother Rule will also have to withdraw, for he is usually measuring folks as if he were the only one who is right.” Brother Rule then complains about Brother Sandpaper: “He ought to leave too, because he’s so rough and always rubbing people the wrong way.”​​ And so goes the discord.​​ Amid​​ all this discussion, in walks the Carpenter of Nazareth. Putting on his apron, he goes to the bench to make a pulpit from which to proclaim the gospel. He uses Hammer, Screw, Plane, Rule, Sandpaper, and all the other tools. After the day’s work, when the pulpit is finished, Brother Saw arises and remarks, “Brethren, I observe that all of us are workers together for the Lord.”

You have probably heard that there is no “I” in team. When each person on a team tries to do everything themselves, it never works out well as we saw with the Master Carpenter’s tools. But when they worked together under the master’s hand, they became a dream team; the pulpit was completed in a day and the tools realized that they were all workers for the Lord. In Israel the Lord chose a family, the Levites,​​ to become His dream team.​​ They would be His star players​​ who​​ would​​ work​​ together as God’s priests​​ in the tabernacle​​ to do what was arguably the most important work in​​ the​​ nation of Israel.​​ In chapter 8 it is now showtime for​​ Levites. This​​ morning,​​ we will see that they will be washed,​​ clothed and​​ anointed.​​ But they were​​ also​​ to be examples to the​​ rest of the Israelites about how to​​ serve God and others, because God wanted the entire nation to become a kingdom of priests to usher His kingdom in on the earth.​​ 

As Christians we have a long list of titles:​​ Child of God, salt of the earth, light of the world, brothers and sisters, sheep, saints, soldiers, witnesses, fellow citizens, ambassadors, servants, disciples, overcomers, victors, and stewards. One title we often neglect is priest. The Bible says that​​ every Christ-follower is a part of​​ God’s chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation and​​ His​​ special possession.​​ We who belong to the family of God are now His​​ Dream Team.​​ But each​​ of us as​​ priest​​ of the​​ Highest​​ God​​ must do​​ our​​ part​​ in​​ serving​​ the King​​ and others.​​ We have also been washed,​​ clothed and​​ anointed.​​ This​​ morning,​​ we will learn​​ from the Levites’​​ example​​ some of what it​​ means to​​ belong to a royal priesthood and have all the rights and privileges of this title.​​ That brings us to our big idea this morning that​​ God desires His people to​​ be washed, clothed and anointed for​​ His​​ effective service.

Let’s pray:​​ Heavenly Father, we come before You with grateful hearts, thankful for the gift of this new day and the opportunity to gather in Your presence. We ask for Your Spirit to open our minds and soften our hearts as we receive Your Word. Guide us to listen with understanding, to learn with humility, and to act with love. May Your truth transform us and Your grace empower us to be the light in this world. In Jesus’ name,​​ Amen.

Our first point,​​ Calling and Cleansing, is found in Leviticus 8:1-6. Follow along as I read those words. This is what God’s Word says, “The Lord said to Moses, “Bring Aaron and his sons, their garments, the anointing oil, the bull for the sin offering, the two rams and the basket containing bread made without yeast, and gather the entire assembly at the entrance to the tent of meeting.” Moses did as the Lord commanded​​ him, and the assembly gathered at the entrance to the tent of meeting. Moses said to the assembly, “This is what the Lord has commanded to be done.” Then Moses brought Aaron and his sons forward and washed them with water.”

In Leviticus 1-7,​​ God​​ gave the priests and the Israelites​​ a​​ “Worship Manual or​​ Worship​​ Playbook” which dealt with how and why to bring and make sacrifices so they could enjoy God’s presence and live a life of holiness in worship of the Lord.​​ In Leviticus 8-10, God will give the priests a second “Worship Manual​​ or Playbook” which will show how the priests were to serve in relation to the sacrifices.​​ In Exodus 28, God told Moses that Aaron, his brother, and Aaron’s sons Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar would serve the Lord as priests. Now it was time for God to transform these ordinary men into His Dream Team and that transformation came through the service of their ordination. As we study chapters​​ 8-10, we will​​ see that​​ the ordination process​​ and the priests are​​ looking forward to Jesus Christ.​​ The first thing we see is the calling of the priests and​​ the​​ preparations​​ made​​ for the ordination service.​​ As we studied last week, the phrase “And the Lord said​​ to Moses” introduces a new set of​​ instructions​​ to the priests and the people of Israel​​ and it​​ reiterates Moses’ role as the covenant mediator.​​ God had already given Moses the instructions for this service​​ in​​ Exodus 29​​ and this chapter​​ is the actual fulfillment of those instructions. We see a precise and logical order in everything God does. Before the priests could be ordained for their role in the tabernacle, they needed to know what the job description would be. That is what God was doing in chapters 1-7.​​ 

Moses was to make the necessary preparations for the service itself. The first thing he did was take Aaron and his sons with him to the​​ door​​ of​​ the tent​​ for the meeting. He​​ also took​​ their garments that the skilled workers had made back in Exodus 28, the anointing oil​​ made​​ as instructed in​​ Exodus 30 and one bull, two rams and the basket of unleavened bread​​ as​​ instructed in Exodus 29. The wording used here indicates that these items were the fulfillment of God’s previous commands.​​ Everything was minutely and precisely explained because it all foreshadowed Jesus​​ and so had to be done exactly as the Lord commanded. The last preparation Moses was to make was to gather the Israelite congregation at the door to the tent of meeting.​​ This was probably not the close to two million people in the congregation but the elders of Israel who represented the people​​ and​​ were to be​​ witnesses to this momentous event. This is inferred in chapter nine verse one. Probably as many Israelites as possible crowded into the tabernacle courtyard or possibly on any hillsides surrounding the courtyard to​​ watch the proceedings.​​ The entrance or the door to the​​ meeting​​ was where the burnt altar and the bronze laver were. By using the word for “door” God is foreshadowing His son who as John​​ 10:9 says, “is the door; if anyone enters through Him, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.” Jesus is the way, the truth and the life, without believing in Him for salvation we can’t​​ come before God in​​ peace and fellowship.​​ 

Again,​​ we see Moses doing​​ as the Lord commanded.​​ It is recorded that Moses did as the Lord commanded around thirty times in the books of Exodus and Leviticus. We should all strive to live and serve before the Lord as Moses did. The fact that the elders and as many others who could witness these events were called to come to the door of the tent of meeting proved that the choosing of God’s Dream Team wasn’t done in secret​​ and​​ was also done according to the authority of their Covenant King not Moses himself. This process was public for a couple of reasons. One, Aaron wasn’t chosen because he was Moses’ brother. There was no favoritism or nepotism going on here. The Lord had selected Aaron and His sons to be their High Priest and assistant priests. Second, because it was a public event, by witnessing it, the people were​​ agreeing to God’s selection of Aaron and his sons as​​ their​​ priests. As we will learn later​​ the ordination service was to take seven days and so that would give​​ a lot of​​ the Israelite people the opportunity to come and go witnessing​​ what God was doing.​​ 

Once the calling of Aaron and His sons and all the preparations were complete, Moses brought them forward and washed them with water in front of the​​ congregation.​​ The word for “brought” is the same word for bringing an animal sacrifice to the altar. Tidball writes, “Here Aaron and his sons are ‘presented’ to the Lord, just like a sacrifice, so that they may offer their lives on the altar and be set apart exclusively to serve God.”​​ This washing would have been a complete washing of their bodies​​ which​​ was to prepare them to be acceptable to come into the Holy Place. Because it was done in full view of the people it would have made them very aware of the fact that they were different from the priests. Whereas the​​ priests​​ were set apart to enter God’s presence, the people were still unclean and unacceptable to​​ do so.​​ God is teaching them​​ about His holiness and that they must be pure and undefiled​​ to come into His presence.​​ For Aaron, the high priest,​​ washing​​ symbolized​​ Christ’s perfect purity as our High Priest and His baptism at the beginning of His ministry. For his sons it symbolizes all Christ followers being sanctified and set apart by the Word of God and the work Jesus came to do.​​ If we believe in​​ Jesus’ work on the cross our entire body is washed, and we stand justified and without guilt. Then as we follow Christ, we​​ need to be sanctified​​ and made pure​​ by​​ the confession and repentance of our daily sins. This is symbolized by the priests now only needing to wash their hands and feet at the bronze laver before attending to the altar or in the Holy Place. The washing shows us how sinful we are and the need for spiritual cleansing is symbolized by the water.​​ (Big Idea)

Now that all the preparations had been made and Aaron and His sons were washed from head to toe, they could now be dressed and consecrated for their service to the Lord. That brings us to our second point,​​ Clothing and Consecration, found in Leviticus 8:7-13, This is what God’s Word says, “He put the tunic on Aaron, tied the sash around him, clothed him with the robe and put the ephod on him. He also fastened the ephod with a decorative waistband, which he tied around him. He placed the breast piece on him and put the Urim and Thummim in the breast piece. Then he placed the turban on Aaron’s head and set the gold plate, the sacred emblem, on the front of it, as the Lord commanded Moses.​​ Then Moses took the anointing oil and anointed the tabernacle and everything in​​ it and​​ so consecrated them. He sprinkled some of the oil on the altar seven times, anointing the altar and all its utensils and the basin with its stand, to consecrate them. He poured some of the anointing oil on Aaron’s head and anointed him to consecrate him. Then he brought Aaron’s sons forward, put tunics on them, tied sashes around them and fastened caps on them, as the Lord commanded Moses.”

The next element of the ordination​​ service​​ for Aaron was​​ being clothed by Moses.​​ The clothing would serve as a reminder​​ of​​ whom​​ he​​ represented and served.​​ The first article of clothing was the “tunic.” The Hebrew word means “something set or fixed.” It was the piece of clothing that was the closest to Aaron’s body and it pictured Christ’s righteousness that was a set and unchanging part of His nature. The second article of clothing was the sash that Moses tied around Aaron’s waist. It was woven with blue, purple and scarlet thread. Interestingly, it would not have been visible yet would have been beautiful to behold. This symbolized Christ’s divine majesty which is seen in Psalms 93:1, “The Lord reigns, he is robed in majesty; the Lord is robed in majesty and armed with strength; indeed, the world is established, firm and​​ secure.”​​ The third article of clothing was a robe. It was​​ woven out of​​ blue​​ cloth​​ and probably reached from Aaron’s neck to his knees or maybe even his feet. It may​​ also​​ have been woven out of one seamless piece of cloth​​ reminding us​​ that at Jesus’ crucifixion, his robe was also woven from one piece of cloth. The color signified adherence of the law symbolizing that Jesus fulfilled the law when He came to the earth.​​ The fourth article of clothing was the ephod with the decorative waistband. It was like a sleeveless waistcoat and made of the same colors and materials, blue, purple and scarlet yarn,​​ as the first tent covering and the veil between the Holy Place and the Holy of Holies. The only difference​​ was that​​ it had​​ gold thread woven into it.

The colors​​ symbolize​​ divinity, royalty, the law, blood and judgment. The woven linen​​ symbolized​​ righteousness.​​ The waistband was girded or tied around​​ Aaron.​​ The word girded paints a picture of being “ready for service” such as when Jesus girded himself with a towel and washed the disciple’s feet in the Upper Room. We see this John 13:5.​​ Exodus tells us that there were to be two onyx stones, one on each shoulder, with the names of the sons of Israel engraved on them. This signified​​ that Aaron, the High Priest’s, role​​ was​​ to shoulder the burdens and labors of​​ His​​ people.​​ The next article of clothing was the breast piece. The breast piece was to be placed over the ephod just as the Mercy Seat​​ was placed over​​ the Ark of the Covenant.​​ There were also to​​ be twelve​​ precious and semi-precious stones attached to the breast piece​​ each one engraved with a name of a son of Israel on it. This signified that Aaron took the people into the Holy Place with him and interceded for them before the Lord.​​ These stones​​ foreshadowed​​ two things. One,​​ Jesus Christ’s divine intervention for His people. Revelation 1:13 says, “And among the lampstands was someone like a son of man dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest.”​​ Two, Christ’s intercession for His people.​​ Again, Aaron was a type of Christ and​​ Hebrews tells us that Jesus is in the presence of God​​ bearing our burdens and​​ making intercession for us​​ even today.

Next, Moses placed the breast piece on Aaron and put the Urim and Thummim inside its pouch.​​ We do not have enough information about these items, but the best guess is that they were two stones used like lots to inquire of God about major decisions for the nation. For this reason,​​ the breast piece​​ is also called the​​ Breastplate of Judgment.​​ There is also a​​ correlation between Moses placing the two tablets of the Ten Commandments​​ in the Ark​​ and Moses placing these two items in​​ the breast​​ piece.​​ Interestingly,​​ both the stone tablets and the Urim and Thummin​​ symbolized​​ the word of the Lord​​ given to His people. And both the Ark and the Breastplate were containers for that word.​​ Also,​​ Moses was the one who placed the​​ stones​​ tablets in the Ark and the stones of judgment​​ in the​​ breast piece.​​ If you remember, the Ark symbolized God’s​​ law,​​ and the Mercy Seat symbolized the blood that covered the people’s sin. Of course, Jesus signified the​​ law,​​ and His blood eradicated the sins of His people.​​ The Urim and the Thummim symbolizes our faith in Jesus’ finished work on the cross and that we​​ have access to the Father through the Holy Spirit. There is so much​​ minute details in these articles of clothing​​ describing what Jesus Christ​​ have​​ done for and continues to do for us. Garret says, “In Christ, we are safe, we are secure, and we are so forever.”​​ 

Next, Moses placed the last article on clothing on Aaron’s head which was the turban with the pure gold plate, the sacred emblem, on the front of it. The gold plate is also called the “Holy Crown” and was engraved with the words, “Holy to the Lord.” The Hebrew word used to describe the​​ gold plate signifies “something set apart.” The imputed​​ or transferred​​ righteousness and holiness of​​ God given​​ to​​ Aaron set Him apart from all others. Jesus​​ was set apart by God to do His work of salvation and His​​ humanity and divinity is seen​​ here. The engraving “Holiness to the Lord”​​ symbolizes​​ Jesus’ perfection as our true mediator who makes our sacrifices acceptable to God and completely restores us with our Lord​​ and Savior. The fact that Aaron had been washed and clothed by Moses properly and obediently is seen in the phrase “as the Lord commanded Moses.” This phrase underscores Moses’ complete obedience.​​ Now that Aaron had been washed and clothed, Moses took the special anointing oil​​ and anointed​​ the tabernacle and​​ everything​​ in it.​​ Oil in the Bible signifies the presence of the Spirit of God​​ and this​​ anointing​​ consecrated the tabernacle​​ and everything in it setting it apart as holy​​ for its service to the​​ Lord.​​ Moses then sprinkled some of the oil seven times on the bronze altar and the basin or bronze laver in the courtyard. Seven is the number of completeness and so Moses completely anointed and consecrated the altar and all of its utensils and the basin with its stand to the work and service of the Lord.​​ 

Later when the​​ blood is carried into the Holy Place or the Holy of Holies and sprinkled seven times, the altar first being anointed seven times signified​​ full atonement and peace with God and providing access to the Spirit. The work of Jesus Christ, as the sacrifice for our sins, is seen in this​​ picture of the seven-fold sprinkling. Finally, after the instruments of the priests’ ministry had been anointed and consecrated, Aaron was anointed and consecrated. He was anointed​​ by​​ Moses​​ pouring​​ some of the anointing oil on his head. This consecrated​​ him and set him apart for God’s service. It also set Aaron apart from the other priests as it marked him as the High Priest.​​ Aaron​​ was the only one who was anointed in this specific way. Again, Aaron prefigures Christ the anointed One or the Messiah spoken of by Isaiah in Isaiah 61:1, “The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on​​ me,​​ because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim​​ freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners.”​​ (Big Idea)

And then after all that flurry of activity, Moses brought Aaron’s sons and dressed them with three articles of clothing. These were​​ tunics, sashes tied around them and caps fastened on their heads. These clothes were to be simple, plain pristine white, setting them apart from the Israelite people but also setting them apart from the splendidness and magnificence of Aaron’s clothing. We are told in Exodus 28 that the caps were made for Aaron’s sons, for​​ dignity and honor. White symbolizes​​ righteousness and so “for​​ dignity and honor”​​ describes​​ being clothed in the righteousness of God as they performed their duties before the Lord. We as Christ-followers are also clothed with the righteousness​​ of​​ God. Isaiah 61:10 says,​​ “I delight greatly in the Lord;​​ my soul rejoices in my God.​​ For he has clothed me with garments of salvation​​ and arrayed me in a robe of his righteousness.”​​ Think about this because I believe this is important for us as we contemplate and embrace our role as God’s kingdom of priests. Both Aaron and his sons were clothed “for​​ dignity and honor.” Aaron prefigured Christ and Aaron’s sons prefigured​​ us, anyone and everyone who calls Jesus Lord and Savior. Are you in awe of what we have been granted as Christ-followers? Are you ready to embrace your God-given role as a priest in God’s kingdom on the​​ earth?​​ We will continue to flesh out what this means as we finish chapter 8 and move on to​​ chapter​​ nine and ten.​​ 

So, how can we apply these scriptures to our lives? What is one next step​​ we​​ can take this month from these verses? We must continually evaluate how we approach serving the Lord. Are we rushed, distracted or just going through the motions? We need to intentionally approach our calling as God’s priest, whether in church, work, or daily life with a heart of dedication and spiritual readiness. That brings us to our first​​ next step which​​ I will​​ intentionally​​ prepare​​ myself spiritually and​​ morally​​ to​​ serve​​ the Lord.

I want to conclude with this illustration called The Fable of the Birds. The fable of the birds is a story directed back to the very beginning of creation. God had divided the light from the darkness and the land from the sea and had now created the animals. All of these creatures were wandering around seeking to understand what it meant to be alive. All except the birds! They were not happy and spent all their time complaining because God had given them a heavy burden that he had given no other animal: those awkward appendages on their shoulders. God must be punishing them for something, they thought. Why did they have to carry these things around, making it so tough to walk and enjoy life? “Why?” they asked. “Why us?” Finally, two or three of the more adventurous birds began to move their appendages. They soon began to flutter them, and it wasn’t long before they discovered that the things they had regarded as a burden actually made it possible for them to fly. And none of the other animals could fly like they could. The “heavy burden” turned out to be a beautiful gift.​​ 

Too many believers act like those silly birds. We sit back complaining about our lot in life and the heavy burden of God’s call on our lives. We​​ see God’s hand as a massive appendage of expectations holding us down. And guess what?​​ It​​ will continue to be a heavy burden until we open our eyes and discover that God’s word and regulations are designed to be the wind of the Spirit to launch us​​ to​​ a new level of maturity in our walk with God. Aaron and his family were the beginning of a heritage of servants and priests, a group to which you and I belong to as Christ-followers. Is God’s calling on our lives as a kingdom of priests’ work? Yes!​​ Yes, it is!!! Is it a burden? Yes, it will be a burden if we choose to see it as one. But what we see as a burden from God is probably the very​​ gift He intends to use to lift us higher. As God’s royal priesthood, we must recognize that God’s expectations for our service to Him is not punishment but preparation. We must realize that our spiritual growth happens through obedience and practical application. We must realize that we are called into priestly service not as a burden but as a privilege. We must realize that God’s will for us leads to maturity, purpose, and joy when we fully embrace it. So, let’s take God’s call for us to be a kingdom of priests, seriously, and start obeying and start flapping! God has great things in store for those who are obedient to his call. That brings us to our last next step which is​​ I will​​ intentionally​​ identify​​ one area where I have viewed God’s expectations as a​​ burden​​ and reframe it as the very thing to help me “fly.”​​ 

As the Praise Team comes to lead us on a final song and the ushers prepare to collect the tithes and offerings, let’s pray:​​ Heavenly Father, thank you for the privilege of being in your house and studying your Word. May we not take it for granted. We pray that your Holy Spirit will guide us as we​​ intentionally prepare​​ ourselves​​ spiritually and morally to serve​​ you rightly.​​ Help us to​​ intentionally identify areas​​ where​​ we​​ have viewed​​ your​​ expectations as a burden and​​ instead use that burden​​ to help​​ us​​ “fly.”​​ In Jesus’ name, Amen.

​​ 

Opening:​​ Glen S. Martin, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, ed. Max Anders, Holman Old Testament Commentary (B&H Publishing Group, 2002), 169–171

Closing:​​ Glen S. Martin, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, ed. Max Anders, Holman Old Testament Commentary (B&H Publishing Group, 2002), 169–171

The King’s Invitation

Imagine receiving an invitation in the mail—not a casual text, not an​​ invitation​​ but a real invitation with your name on it. Inside it says: God invites you to celebrate peace at His table. The invitation tells you it’s for one day​​ only​​ that a meal is provided that the host has already paid for. It tells you that only those who are properly prepared may attend​​ and​​ that you must come in a way that honors the host. Now imagine ignoring those details. You show up late. You bring leftovers from another meal. You assume the host will be fine with​​ however you come. No one would say you misunderstood the invitation. They would say you disrespected it.​​ That’s exactly what Leviticus 7:11-21 is showing us. God says to His people: Peace has been made. A sacrifice has been offered. You’re invited to eat at My table. This is not​​ a punishment​​ or a​​ cold ritual. This is a celebration of restored fellowship with God. But God also makes something clear:​​ this​​ invitation is not permission to be careless​​ and​​ so He gives instructions. You are to come with generosity as the bread is to be shared, the priest is provided for and the meal is communal.​​ You are to come in​​ purity​​ because​​ what is unclean cannot come to the table.​​ And you must come with​​ reverent obedience in that the meal must be eaten on God’s terms and in God’s time.​​ The invitation is gracious and our response must be faithful.​​ These rules don’t cancel the celebration. They protect it​​ by ensuring the​​ meal​​ reflects gratitude instead of entitlement,​​ purity and​​ holiness instead of presumption, and obedience instead of self-expression.

We are​​ also​​ invited to​​ come to God’s table of​​ peace or​​ fellowship. We are​​ invited​​ to worship the Lord every day of the week but especially times such as Sunday worship, mid-week Bible studies and​​ Communion. We are also invited by the Lord to serve Him and to tell others about Him as we pursue, grow and multiply disciples.​​ So,​​ the question for all​​ of us who call Jesus our Lord and Savior is how will we respond to these​​ invitations?​​ Will​​ we​​ come grateful​​ or casual?​​ Will​​ we​​ come ready​​ or assuming?​​ Will​​ we​​ come on God’s terms​​ or​​ our own?​​ God is not asking​​ us​​ to earn a place at His table, because Christ has already made the sacrifice,​​ but He is calling​​ us​​ to respond rightly.​​ We must come to His table​​ with​​ generosity, thankful for the grace and fellowship we did not earn.​​ We must come with​​ purity and holiness,​​ examining​​ ourselves and trusting​​ God​​ to​​ deal with what needs cleansing.​​ We must come reverently, obeying not because​​ we​​ have to​​ but because​​ we love God and​​ peace has already been made​​ for us. Grace writes the invitation, peace sets the table, and​​ when we come​​ celebrating​​ generously, purely and reverently in​​ obedience​​ it​​ shows we honor​​ and respect​​ the Host​​ and​​ are at peace with Him.​​ And that brings us to​​ our big idea this morning that​​ God​​ invites​​ His people to celebrate peace​​ with Him with generosity, purity, and reverent obedience.

Let’s pray:​​ Heavenly Father, we want to hear from you this morning. So, we pray that your Holy Spirit will​​ fill us with your wonder and majesty and open our eyes and ears to your Word.​​ Give us wisdom and discernment and help us to apply what you teach each one of us to our lives this week. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

This morning, we are studying Leviticus 7:11-21. Our first point,​​ What, is found in verses 11-14. Follow along as I read those verses. This is what God’s Word says,​​ “These are the regulations for the fellowship offering anyone may present to the Lord: “‘If they offer it as an expression of thankfulness, then along with this thank offering they are to offer thick loaves made without yeast and with olive oil mixed in, thin loaves made without yeast and brushed with oil, and thick loaves of the finest flour well-kneaded and with oil mixed in. Along with their fellowship offering of thanksgiving, they are to present an offering with​​ thick loaves of bread made with yeast. They are to bring one of each kind as an offering, a contribution to the Lord; it belongs to the priest who splashes the blood of the fellowship offering against the altar.”​​ 

We have seen God’s instructions to the Israelites​​ about​​ how they were to worship Him with burnt, grain, fellowship or peace, sin and guilt offerings. Then He instructed the priests in how they were​​ to​​ properly conduct these offerings as​​ the people​​ worshipped​​ the Lord.​​ Today we​​ will​​ study the peace or fellowship offering and​​ what​​ it was​​ to consist of and who could present one before the Lord.​​ This was​​ a voluntary​​ and spontaneous​​ offering,​​ and we​​ were​​ told that anyone could​​ present​​ one of these​​ offerings​​ to the Lord. There were three different types of​​ peace​​ or fellowship​​ offerings. The first is called the “thanksgiving” fellowship offering.​​ The​​ word for​​ “thanksgiving”​​ comes from the​​ word for “praise” and gives the sense of “throwing or casting.” In giving this sacrifice of “thanksgiving” there is a “throwing or casting” out of “praise” to the Lord. This was not a simple expression of thanksgiving but an expression of overwhelming praise from the worshipper’s heart for what God has done for them.​​ Psalms 107:22 says, “They shall also offer sacrifices of thanksgiving, and tell of His works with joyful singing.”​​ This offering was not something you did every day because of the time involved, the value of the sacrifice, and because of the other offerings that were to be given. This was an offering given to the Lord for bestowing a blessing on you that “made your day.” Examples would be a special mercy or favor or​​ deliverance​​ from sickness or​​ captivity. Praising the Lord with words was not enough, the worshipper was so​​ overwhelmed​​ with gratitude that​​ they needed to make an outward expression of it.​​ 1 John 3:18​​ says, “Little children, let’s not love with word or with tongue, but​​ indeed​​ and truth.”

In Leviticus 3 we​​ learned​​ that​​ a fellowship offering was to consist of a male or female herd animal, flock animal or goat without blemish. Now we learn that the offeror was to bring bread offerings as well.​​ It was​​ normal​​ practice to bring a​​ burnt offering of meat and an offering of grain together with the​​ grain offering burned on top of the​​ burnt offering.​​ This signified that​​ the worshipper was​​ wholly devoted to God,​​ there was reconciliation between the worshipper and God, and now​​ being at​​ peace with God​​ the worshipper was able to​​ partake of the Lord’s fellowship meal. This​​ sacrifice of bread and meat together​​ reminds us of meals with meat and potatoes or a burger with a side of fries.​​ These bread offerings were to consist of thick loaves made without yeast and with olive oil mixed in, thin loaves made without yeast and brushed with oil, and thick loaves of the finest flour well-kneaded and with oil mixed in.​​ Each of these​​ types of grain​​ offerings was a picture of​​ Jesus​​ Christ​​ as the Bread of Life​​ and the oil was a picture of the Holy Spirit at work. There is no mention of the number of breads that was to be offered. It depended on how grateful the worshipper was for what God had done for them.​​ 

We also learn that along with their​​ animal sacrifice and the​​ fellowship​​ thanksgiving offerings of unleavened bread, they were to​​ also​​ present an offering with thick loaves of bread made with yeast.​​ This is only one of two times that bread with leaven was allowed to be brought as an offering to the Lord. The other was at the feast of Pentecost.​​ This seems strange as Leviticus chapter 2 prohibits​​ the​​ bringing​​ of​​ a bread offering made with yeast.​​ But what this signified was that​​ God had accepted the worshipper’s fellowship offering despite the worshipper’s sin. God does not disregard our sinful offerings​​ if​​ we come before him celebrating peace with Him in the proper way with generosity, purity, and reverent obedience.​​ (Big Idea)​​ The offeror was to bring one of each kind of bread offering, as a contribution to the Lord.​​ The word “contribution” means “uplifted offering” implying that the priest​​ lifted​​ the​​ bread​​ symbolizing​​ that it was given to God. For us it symbolizes​​ that we can’t hide our​​ sin,​​ so we​​ need to give​​ it​​ to the Lord in confession and repentance.​​ The reason it was​​ lifted​​ was because leaven was not allowed to be offered on the altar of burn offering. Because it was the​​ Lord’s contribution, he could​​ then​​ “set​​ it​​ apart” to be consumed by the​​ priest, specifically the priest​​ who splashed​​ the blood​​ against the altar. This would have been the priest who performed the animal​​ sacrifice.​​ After the​​ sacrifice,​​ the implication​​ was, according​​ to Jewish tradition, that the rest of the grain fellowship offering was given back​​ to the worshipper.​​ 

That brings us to our second point,​​ When, found in Leviticus 7:15-18. This is what God’s Word says, “The meat of their fellowship offering of thanksgiving must be eaten on the day it is offered; they must leave none of it till morning. “‘If, however, their offering is the result of a vow or is a freewill offering, the sacrifice shall be eaten on the day they offer it, but anything left over may be eaten on the next day. Any meat of the sacrifice left over till the third day must be burned up.​​ If any meat of the fellowship offering is eaten on the third day, the one who offered it will not be accepted. It will not be reckoned to their credit, for it has become impure; the person who eats any of it will be held responsible.”

Here​​ we learn when the meat of the fellowship offerings was supposed to be eaten​​ and that​​ there​​ were​​ two other kinds of fellowship offerings and what​​ they were​​ to be​​ brought for. This was important for both the worshipper and the priests to know so that they were in complete compliance with God’s commands. The​​ meat of the​​ fellowship offering had to be eaten on the​​ same​​ day it was offered to the Lord. None of it could be saved till the next day it was to be completely eaten.​​ This reminds us​​ of the regulations for eating​​ the Passover​​ Lamb in Exodus 12 and for eating the manna in the wilderness in Exodus 16.​​ Those were​​ both​​ types of​​ Christs​​ and​​ so​​ it is reasonable to assume that the “praise”​​ thanksgiving offering pointed to​​ Christ as well.​​ We see this​​ in that​​ the regulations for the other two fellowship offerings were less stringent.​​ Why did this offering have to be eaten on the same day it was offered?​​ Again, this offering would have been given for an expression of overwhelming praise from the worshipper’s heart for what God has done for them. It wouldn’t have been appropriate to not completely acknowledge the blessing that God gave the worshipper. This is what it would signify by not eating the entre offering​​ on​​ the same day.​​ 

This command​​ also​​ gave an opportunity for the offeror​​ to invite their family and friends​​ to the King’s table and​​ share​​ in​​ God’s blessings with them.​​ Really anyone in the tabernacle area would be allowed to partake of the blessing God gave to the worshipper. A​​ lot of times this was the way that the poorest Israelites in the community were fed​​ including the orphans and widows.​​ To not generously share this offering of praise with others would not be showing the overwhelming thanksgiving that giving the offering implies. It would be hypocritical of the worshipper. Deuteronomy 12:7​​ says,​​ “There, in the presence of the Lord your God, you and your families shall eat and shall rejoice in everything you have put your hand to, because the Lord your God has blessed you.”​​ In the same way, we need to​​ first give God praise for what He has done for us and then​​ look for ways to bless others with what God has blessed us with.​​ We should be practicing generous sharing as a natural overflow of God’s blessing and love for us. Hebrews 13:15-16 says, “Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name. And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” Some tangible ways we can do this is with our​​ resources, our time, our home, or the gospel itself. We can let someone​​ know​​ who is hurting, that we are praying for them. We can visit someone who may be lonely and needs a listening ear.​​ We can invite someone to our home for dinner or​​ take them out for a meal​​ just to​​ enjoy fellowship with them. We can​​ intentionally​​ pursue, grow and multiply disciples as the Great Commission commands, sharing​​ the hope of Christ with someone who needs it. God has freely given us salvation, and we should be willing to share the hope that we​​ have with everyone especially those who do not know Jesus as their Savior and Lord.​​ Practical generosity shows that we truly recognize God as the source of every blessing. That brings us to our first next step which is​​ I will practice​​ generosity​​ this month as a natural​​ overflow​​ of God’s​​ blessing​​ to me.

Now we are introduced to the other fellowship offerings, the vow and the free-will offerings. The vow fellowship offering was​​ given for​​ God​​ answering the worshipper’s​​ prayer.​​ It was​​ given because the offeror had made a vow to God to give it​​ when his prayer was answered.​​ The free-will fellowship offering was​​ given​​ “just because” and​​ for the simple things in life. For example, a worshipper who woke up, grateful to God for another day of living, another day of breath,​​ might​​ bring a free-will​​ offering to​​ give God glory and honor.​​ Psalm 119:108​​ says, “Be pleased to accept the voluntary offerings of my mouth, Lord, and teach me Your judgments.”​​ There were different regulations for the vow and free-will offerings compared to the thanksgiving offering. For them both, if all the meat was not eaten on the same day it was offered,​​ it could be left over and eaten on the second day.​​ This would not have disrespected the Lord.​​ But​​ two days was​​ the limit. If any of the​​ offerings were​​ left over till the third day it had to be burned up; it could not be eaten.​​ There was a practical reason for this. In the wilderness climate, the meat would spoil quickly and be unfit to eat. There​​ were​​ also ritual or spiritual reasons as well. First, it was a question of obedience to the Lord. It would become ritually corrupt and to be disobedient would have corrupted the worshipper. Second, the priest may have wanted to save some just in case there would not be any other fellowship offerings for a while. Of​​ course, this would show that the priest was not trusting the Lord to provide for​​ them. Third, this points us to Christ​​ our sacrifice​​ and his time in the grave.​​ Psalm 16:10 says,​​ “For​​ You will not abandon my soul to​​ Shaol​​ or Hell; You will not allow Your Holy One to undergo decay.”​​ Jesus was resurrected on the third day and therefore was not corrupted.​​ There were also consequences for disobeying God​​ and eating the vow or free-will​​ fellowship offering​​ on the third day.​​ The person who ate it suffered three penalties.​​ 

First, the​​ worshipper who​​ offered it​​ would not be accepted by​​ God,​​ and​​ second,​​ their​​ offering would not be reckoned to their​​ credit.​​ It would be like they never gave the offering in the first place even though God had blessed them​​ and​​ or they had made a vow​​ to the Lord. Imagine making an offering to the Lord, pure and​​ undefined, and then allowing it to rot. This would be like Ananias and Sapphira giving their offering to the Lord but lying about it and keeping a portion selfishly for themselves.​​ This​​ would tell God​​ that making a show of giving the offering was more important than the purpose of the offering which was to be at peace with​​ Him.​​ The reason​​ their​​ offer​​ wasn’t accepted​​ was because​​ it had​​ become​​ impure.​​ Another word for impure would be “abomination” or “putrid” which would be something dead that had started to stink.​​ Third, the worshipper who ate of these offerings​​ on the third day would be held responsible​​ meaning they would “bear guilt”​​ for how they handled the Lord’s offering. This would have been such a serious matter that the priests probably warned the​​ worshippers​​ about this​​ when they accepted the offering.

That brings us to our third point,​​ Who, found in Leviticus 7:19-21. This is what God’s Word says, “Meat that touches anything ceremonially unclean must not be eaten; it must be burned up. As for other meat, anyone ceremonially clean may eat it. But if anyone who is unclean eats​​ any meat of the fellowship offering belonging to the Lord, they must be cut off from their people. Anyone who touches something unclean—whether human uncleanness or an unclean animal or any unclean creature that moves along the ground—and then eats any of the meat of the fellowship offering belonging to the Lord must be cut off from their people.’”

Here​​ the Lord introduces the concept of clean and unclean. Clean and unclean were ritual states that related to the everyday life of the Israelites and​​ tabernacle​​ access.​​ Following God’s laws of being clean or unclean was intended to keep the Israelites physically and spiritually "set apart" or holy before God.​​ Unclean items could render holy things "common" or profane, and​​ so​​ holy things​​ were not allowed to​​ touch unclean things. If any of the meat of the fellowship offerings touched anything ceremonially unclean,​​ it was not to be eaten and had​​ to be burned up. This could happen in various ways such as the meat touching an unclean person, or animal or by​​ encountering​​ an unclean bowl, garment, etc. If this happened, the offering could not even be given to the dogs because it was intended to be a pure offering to the Lord himself.​​ The only meat that was allowed to be consumed was meat that was ceremonially clean and the only people who could partake of it were those who were ceremonially clean themselves. In verse 20 we see an overarching general statement that if an unclean person ate any meat of the fellowship offering, they were to be “cut off from their people.”​​ 

And in verse 21 we see the specific ways a person could become unclean.​​ They became unclean by touching​​ one of three unclean things. The first was human uncleanness​​ such as​​ encountering​​ death, bodily discharges, or specific diseases like leprosy.​​ The second was an unclean animal​​ and third was any unclean creature that moves along the ground. Examples of such were pigs, camels, rabbits, rodents, shellfish, birds of​​ prey, and reptiles.​​ Anyone who had become unclean couldn’t​​ enter​​ the tabernacle area and couldn’t partake​​ of​​ the fellowship offerings​​ until they were healed and cleansed.​​ It would be an offence to our holy God to mix the holy with the impure when it was God who sanctified the offering. This would dishonor and disrespect the Lord.​​ If a person touched any unclean thing and then ate of the fellowship offering, they​​ were to be​​ cut off from their people.​​ Why was this so important to God​​ that he mentioned it numerous times?​​ First, the fellowship offering belonged first and foremost to the Lord. It was His and He graciously​​ allowed​​ His people to partake in it. Second, God was trying to teach His people the difference between living a holy life and not living a holy life. One more caveat about this:​​ these​​ were​​ unclean, knew it​​ and still​​ intentionally​​ ate of the Lord’s fellowship offering.​​ Imagine if a groom ate of his wedding cake and yet was having an affair, he​​ mocked​​ the very thing the cake stands for which is his exclusive commitment of love to his bride.​​ 

The same is true here:​​ ​​ the worshipper brings a “voluntary” offering before the Lord knowing he was ceremonially unclean. He was disobedient, he dishonored and disrespected the Lord on purpose. God sees our hearts. He knows our intents​​ and motivations for everything we do or say. This kind of behavior from one of God’s children would bring severe consequences. Now if the worshipper​​ had inadvertently eaten of the fellowship offering while unclean, the punishment would have been to bring a​​ guilt​​ or reparation​​ offering​​ to the​​ priests.​​ Twice, the Israelites were​​ told​​ about the​​ consequences​​ for those who were ceremonially unclean and​​ intentionally​​ ate of the fellowship offerings.​​ The consequences were that they would be “cut off from their people.” To be “cut off from their people” could mean a couple of things, none of which were good for the person who violated God’s commands. At the very least to be “cut off from their people”​​ could mean​​ banishment from the​​ Israelite community and at the worst it meant death. It could also have meant​​ that God would​​ cut off their family line.​​ Whatever punishment was handed down, to be​​ “cut off from their people”​​ meant that the ruling came from the hand of God and not a human court. This was a violation against the holiness of God and He would hand out the punishment.​​ This was not something to play around with. God was deadly serious when it came to cleanness and​​ uncleanness especially when it came to knowingly partaking of His sacrifices while unclean.​​ Before coming to​​ the​​ King’s​​ table, the Israelites were required to be ceremonially clean.​​ 

While we are made clean through Christ, we are still called to examine ourselves honestly. Before we come to worship, before daily fellowship with God, or serving and before Communion we must​​ examine our lives​​ for areas that compromise​​ our​​ spiritual purity. We need to regularly spend time asking the Lord to reveal any unconfessed sin, divided loyalties, or careless attitudes toward holiness.​​ Then we must confess what He reveals and​​ trusts​​ Him to cleanse​​ us from all unrighteousness. Coming​​ into fellowship at the​​ King’s table​​ with​​ generosity,​​ purity​​ and reverent obedience​​ honors the Host and protects the joy of​​ being at peace​​ with Him​​ (Big Idea).​​ That bring us to our second and last next step which is​​ I will​​ examine​​ my life for areas that I have​​ compromised​​ my spiritual​​ purity​​ and​​ confess​​ it before God.

In Leviticus​​ 7, the meat could not be eaten on the third day because it became unclean.​​ In the gospel, Jesus rose on the third day, and His sacrifice never spoils, never expires, and never loses its power.​​ Leviticus 7 reminds us that God invited His people to a party at His table—a fellowship offering that was joyful, generous, and shared. It was a celebration of peace with God. But it was not a careless party.​​ It was​​ a thanksgiving party​​ of​​ gratitude expressed in action,​​ a​​ timely party​​ as the​​ food could not be saved for later,​​ a​​ holy party​​ as​​ only the clean could​​ participate,​​ and a​​ serious party​​ because​​ treating it lightly brought​​ serious​​ consequences.​​ The Peace or Fellowship Offering should remind us of Communion and how we are to come to the Lord’s table.​​ When we come to the Lord’s Supper, we​​ come​​ in​​ fulfillment of that party.​​ The​​ Lord’s Supper​​ is not a funeral meal, though it remembers a death.​​ It​​ is not a casual snack, though it uses simple elements.​​ It is a celebration of restored fellowship—peace made possible through the sacrifice of Christ.​​ Just like the fellowship offering, this table calls for gratitude. Jesus said​​ we are​​ to​​ “Do this in remembrance of Me.”​​ This table calls for urgency — “Today, if you hear His voice…”​​ which​​ emphasizes immediate obedience rather than delay.​​ This table calls for reverence​​ as we are to​​ examine themselves. And this table calls for holiness — not perfection, but honest repentance​​ before partaking.

So,​​ this is God’s party, hosted by grace, paid for by blood, open to the repentant​​ and​​ meant to be received with joy and reverence. Next time we​​ come to the Lord’s​​ Supper table, let us not​​ come not casually, but thankfully.​​ Not pretending we are​​ clean but​​ trusting the One who makes us clean.​​ Not as spectators, but as invited guests.​​ Let us be people, who as we are invited by the King’s invitation to come to His table,​​ will celebrate peace and fellowship with​​ Him​​ with​​ generosity, purity, and reverent obedience.

As Roxey comes to lead us in a final hymn and the ushers prepare to collect the tithes and offerings, let’s pray:​​ Gracious God, we thank You that You are the One who makes peace and then invites us to Your table. We did not earn the invitation​​ and we do​​ not set the terms. You welcomed us because of Your grace. So please forgive us for the times we have treated holy things casually, for coming without gratitude, for assuming instead of examining, for receiving grace without reverence. Teach us to honor You as the Host. Shape our hearts to respond with​​ generosity, not holding back what You have freely given us. Cleanse us so we may come with purity, trusting not in ourselves but in Your mercy. And lead us in reverent obedience, not because we fear rejection, but because peace has already been made​​ for us. Today we receive Your invitation with joy and humility. Help us to celebrate peace with You in a way that honors Your holiness and reflects Your grace. We pray this in the name of Jesus, the sacrifice who made the invitation possible. Amen.