“Be my guest.”
A simple invitation extended to good friends and new acquaintances, nearby neighbors and visitors from far away. Over the years, I’ve hosted countless guests. I watched as they sat at my large, rustic wooden table and gazed admiringly at the sparkling white dishware etched with intricate marble designs, complemented by the coated matte-black silverware.
“How do you keep it looking so pristine and beautiful?” guests often wonder. And my method is pretty simple: I set these particular dishes apart. They are given special cleansing and care to remain distinguished for their intended purpose of hosting guests.
In today’s reading, we encounter a different but rather unique kind of “set apartness” that distinguishes holy from ordinary––consecration unto God’s holy purpose.
Did you notice in Leviticus 8:10–12 how consecration—the setting apart—came before the offering in verse 14? Moses and Aaron were familiar with the laws and sacrifices required up to this point; however, consecration was still necessary for the priests’ ordination. Without being set apart, the priests would not be fit to carry out the holy assignment God had given them. It wasn’t their work that made them Levites and priests; it was God. Their responsibility and duty flowed not from their ability but their identity as those set apart unto God for His holy purposes.
As I curiously meditate on these verses today, I can’t help but wonder how easy it would have been in a culture of rhythms and requirements for these priests to merely offer ritual sacrifices to God without first allowing their lives to be consecrated. How easy it would have been to focus on calling before communion, to esteem responsibility over identity.
Dear sisters, let us not miss this practical truth: consecration must always precede duty (Leviticus 8:12). What you can do for God is secondary to who you are in God. Everything you do—any works of your hands—are an outflow of that unwavering identity. Have you found yourself chasing a calling before communion? Are you finding more worth in your responsibility rather than your identity?
If the answer is yes, let us remember the encouragement from Revelation 5:9–10, that God alone, and the shed blood of Jesus Christ, has made us worthy to be a kingdom of royal priests. Only when we remember this truth and serve out of that identity will we be the kind of vessels able to carry out our intended purpose.
Thank you for the beautiful reminder that we will not find peace here. I needed that today.
How are you, Florida friends? We are praying for you. I’m watching the news at the gym and you’re all on my heart. God’s peace to you.
That hit home like a ton of bricks!
Something that was brought up on the podcast and worth sharing here- God chose Aaron and his sons to be priests. Aaron- the guy who led the Israelites astray, Aaron the guy who made a gold calf for the Israelites to worship!!! Aaron- brother of the murder Moses (the guy chosen to lead the Israelites out of Egypt). Wow- this is such a reminder that your past does not define you! Gods grace and mercy are all over this story and should be reassuring to us all- He loves us, forgives us and wants us to draw near to Him! Praying for you sisters today- that your past will be forgiven!
A few things I gathered: Water for washing is a picture of the Word of God. As we meditate on God’s Word and apply it to our lives, the Spirit of God uses the Word to cleanse us and make us more like Christ. The ceremony of putting the blood and oil on the right ear, the right thumb, and the right big toe symbolized that they were set apart to hear God’s voice, do God’s’ work, and walk in God’s ways. The consecration, setting apart, came before the offering. Without being set apart, the priests would not be fit to carry out the holy assignment God had given them. It wasn’t their work that made them priests-it was their God! What you do for God is secondary to who you are in God. Hugs and blessings to all. Praising today that Steve’s sister survived the hurricane and still has power! Also asking for prayers for Steve as he has extreme joint pain and cannot sleep. It is wearing him down. And I want to know how some of you are able to make your posts with new thoughts on new lines? If i hit enter, it posts before I’m ready…
As I am seated at my morning post before the Lord, there is a cool wind from the open door next to my study desk, birds are singing as the sun rises in the fall air. My Bible is open to Revelation 5:9-10. The image of this throne room scene, in which John did his best to describe the unimaginable sights and sounds, is where the Levitical slaughters are revealed as a shadow of the blood of the Lamb of God that would redeem us for good. Backing up to Revelation 4, the richness pours into 5 with a depth I can barely grasp. The angels, the four living creatures (cherubim), the sound of Holy, Holy, Holy constant, the jeweled everything, the glory and story of God… This divine and supernatural reality is the force behind my faith. To understand who I am, and what my purpose is, I must first reckon with who God is and what is really going on here. As I move between what I can see and what I cannot see, I am beginning to grasp a better understanding of my soul, of who I am inside of my physical body. The peace I experience from Jesus has to be pursued by my physical existence through obedience daily. I must seek Him daily. He is never lost, I am the one who loses sight if I am looking the wrong way. I am not Home yet. I will not find eternal peace here. I am in between the Levitical desert the Garden that is in the horizon of eternity. God’s people will reign again. A new Eden is coming. For now, I come to God “in the shadows of His desert rest”, and walk with Him in my quiet hours. “Far from life’s babbling discords”, and His peace “breathes in me like music” in my heart. (From this morning’s reading in Streams in the Desert). “Come, come, He saith”. So I come. Selah. Maranatha. Amen.
Is He Worthy? By Chris Tomlin
Jesus, I love You so much! Amen!