Day 16

Holiness of the Priests

from the Leviticus reading plan


Leviticus 21:1-24, Leviticus 22:1-33, Psalm 15:1-2, 1 Peter 2:9

BY Vina Mogg

Lists.

Some of us were born for lists. Others of us have a more difficult time checking off the boxes.

In these chapters of Leviticus, we see the mind of God as He gives very clearly defined lists of what is appropriate to live before a holy God. We are given exhaustive details of what affects holy living. What defiles holy living. What profanes His name. Some of these details are plain common sense, such as protecting His people from disease. Others at first seem petty and controlling.These lists in Leviticus seem impossible. Especially if you are one of those people, like me, overwhelmed by lists. Why are these lists even necessary?

I remember in the early days of my faith when I first read through the book of Leviticus, I thought, Why would anyone want to follow a God like this? There are too many rules.

At the end of these two chapters in Leviticus, God states the reason why.

 “You are to keep my commands and do them; I am the LORD. You must not profane my holy name; I must be treated as holy among the Israelites. I am the LORD who sets you apart, the one who brought you out of the land of Egypt to be your God; I am the LORD.” 
—Leviticus 22:31–33

“I am the LORD who sets you apart.” God is God. He is set apart from us. Other than us. These comprehensive lists contrast His holiness to our shortcomings. Because He is holy, He requires specific measures for us to approach Him. Because He is set apart, He desires us to live set apart, different from the world surrounding us.

These lists reveal His hope for His people to be set apart, to reflect His holy nature as image bearers. Through these enumerated lists that seem impossible to keep, He was outlining the promise of the covenant relationship He longed for between us. A tender relationship between a holy God and a fallen people. A relationship of contrast. A relationship of grace.

Despite our fallen nature, in Christ we are a chosen “people for His possession” designed to proclaim His praises for the mighty deeds He has done (1Peter 2:9). He called us out of darkness into His marvelous light. These impossible lists emphasize the impossibility that a God this powerful and holy would desire to have a relationship with us. He does. And the way we live, set apart for Him, will proclaim this relationship to the world.

Post Comments (33)

33 thoughts on "Holiness of the Priests"

  1. Dorothy says:

    In my devotional/journaling Bible I use is what is titled, “Treasure of Truth” and these Scriptures in Leviticus it reads: “ANYTHING we love more than GOD has become a god.” (The emphasis is mine.) It really makes you think doesn’t it, is there something(s) more important in my/our life/lives than the Almighty God? Then what Vina said in her devotional today, “He called us out of darkness into His marvelous light.” That’s a lot to ponder and mull over today. One thing I’m sure of God’s and Christ’s love for me and you will NEVER, EVER CHANGE.
    Be blessed and spread God’s love today and every day.

  2. Eileen Dowd says:

    I’ve never been so blessed to be in Leviticus. I read it before with other Bible groups and I’ve never gotten as much out of it as I have this time – thank you so much She’s!! It’s been a wonderful and continuing wonderful journey with you all! Blessings✨✨✨

  3. Heidi says:

    Being someone who has spent my professional life investing in and helping so many medically fragile and atypically developing children, the part about anyone “with defect” in the priestly lineage not being allowed to present offerings directly to God caused a tinge of sadness in my heart. -But then I really sat and contemplated what was happening and it wasn’t a picture of rejection of them or disapproval or God not wanting them. It was His protection for them. He is just THAT holy. He even said it over and over and other parts of the old testament, His holiness is so great in its existence that for us to just go near it would literally kill us. I see his grace over them and that even though there is some defect and imperfection, He does not cut them off from being priests and He still allows them to take part in the receiving of the offering food. They’re included. In a society that would have typically thrown them to the side, casting them out as unworthy and not useful- God includes them in His people and as people who represent Him in the priesthood. It’s beautiful… ❤️

  4. MeemerJo says:

    Our youngest son was born missing a foot and most of his fingers. As I read through Leviticus this morning it reminded me of his condition and that he would never have been acceptable to approach God in the Holy of Holies. But thank goodness for the perfect sacrifice of Jesus. Now there is nothing separating us from our Lord. He is our High Priest who has flung the door open wide.
    Benjamin (my son) and I and you, dear SRT sisters, can boldly approach our Lord. We have been made worthy through the blood of Jesus. He has taken care of every requirement.

  5. Jennifer Loves Jesus says:

    Good morning Father, I hear Your call to my heart. I step forth through the gates of the cross, opened by the hands of Jesus. I come to You empty. I come to You to be filled. I am a branch, abiding in the True Vine. I receive the blessing of life You delight to give. You have chosen me to me Yours (1 Peter 2:9).You have chosen me to be holy, help me pursue this holiness. I want my life to bear witness to You and bear the fruit of the Holy Spirit in me. If I am to bear fruit, I must abide in the vine. I must return again and again to the life source You have given me. Holy and accessible through my own spirit contained in my body as the temple where You dwell. I do not have to go far to find You. It is I who wanders away. This rhythm of wanting and returning to God for His blessing each morning revives and refreshes my soul. I must first receive Your mercy, so I can give mercy. I must first receive Your love, so I can love others. As I am filled with the sap of the Vine I am strengthened and I grow. Out of this growth good fruit will grow. I will bear fruit meant to be shared so that others will taste the sweetness of the Lord. Like a vine transplanted in a foreign soil, so I am called to live and grow in a place that is not my home. The ground is hard, and there is wounding in the wilderness where I find myself. Yet, the Word of the Lord tills the soil under my feet, my roots grow deeper in Him, and He heals and gives life as I trust Him. Slow and daily obedience as I wait for Him to fill me with the life He gives. Let there be fruit. Father, may my life declare Your praises in the wonderful, life-giving light of Your love and care. Let the fruit of my life be plentiful and let there be abundance in the harvest. Thank You Jesus, amen.

  6. Michelle Patire says:

    @Sharon, Jersey Girl: prayers for you and your family. God continue to be near to your hearts

    @Rebecca: your post yesterday about your children touched me. I do not have children, but I feel deeply for those parents who have children who stray from the faith. I have been very good friends with people who have strayed from their parents’ faith, for whatever reason. It breaks my heart… I can imagine as a mother, it feeling so much harder. May God continue to guide you and anyone else here who struggles with this burden. May you trust your prayers are actually changing things in the spiritual realm. That every time you lift up their name, whether verbally or in the quietness of your heart, God hears and acts according to His will. He does love your children immeasurably more than you know. May we trust He will guide them and help them, but never cease praying for their souls. God, bring them people who will love them and speak as living testimonies of Your goodness. Let these wandering or confused sheep come home. Let them turn to the sound of Your voice and walk back to safety. God, guide them with your rod and staff. Let them hear You clearly amidst this generation’s noise. Let Your truth hit home and touch the deepest parts of them. Let them long for the greater things — Your will and kingdom. Let Your great love be evident to them through their jobs, family, friends, and neighbors. We believe You will save them and lead them, in Jesus’s name. Amen. I

    @Mercy – yes, I have been thinking about this since being saved from New Age. It breaks my heart. But I am believing God for revival. That people will wake up and fight this darkness that pervades society– I am believing that for my future children too.

  7. GramsieSue says:

    The priests had a higher standard. They were set apart. Because they were in God’s presence every Day! That struck me…Aren’t I in God’s presence every day? Shouldn’t I set my standards higher? Lay my sins at his feet and let Jesus cleanse me so that I can be in His presence. I tend to seek the God of love and healing and protection and provision more than I seek the Holy God. What a great reminder for me that I am daily in His holy presence.
    Hugs to all this morning ❤️

  8. Sarah Ritchie says:

    Yes Lanie!!!

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