Today’s Tasting: Leviticus 16-18: Aaron’s two sons chose to come into the presence of God without honor to God. They lost their lives instantly because of their disregard and disrespect for God’s holiness. So God spoke to Moses concerning Aaron’s duties as a priest and His instructions were very specific, from the way Aaron should dress to what sacrifices were to be prepared and even how incense was to be burned before the Lord to protect Aaron in the Most Holy Place (the place where God’s presence would be). God ordained a day of atonement to cleanse His people from their sin and it was necessary for Aaron to follow His instructions to the letter in order for the atonement to be made.
Aaron was to offer a blood sacrifice first for himself and his household then he would be cleansed to make the sacrifice for the sins of the people. He was also to cleanse the Most Holy Place, the altar, and the tent of meeting (where the Israelites met to hear God’s instructions) with the cleansing blood. The day of atonement was to be a lasting ordinance for the people and a day of Sabbath rest, repentance, and reflection.
God also gave instructions regarding the blood of animals. The blood of an animal was not to be consumed by the people. God specifically said, “For the life of the creature is in the blood and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one’s life” (Leviticus 17:11). The blood would act as a cleansing agent and would cover the guilt of the people. He made a way, by the blood, to bring them closer to Him.
God then gave Moses instructions for the people regarding sexual sin. He named many opportunities for perversion and sexual immorality and warned the people against these practices. They were not to follow the actions of the people of Egypt where they had come from, nor practice the immorality of the people of Canaan, the land they would be overtaking.
Today’s Nourishment: Today’s culture is one of “self-rule.” Some people live lives of self-indulgence, focused on today and regardless of tomorrow’s consequences. Yet our ability to self-rule is terminally weak. Without His rule, we are never truly satisfied.
Often our actions are detestable to our Holy God just like the sins of the Israelites were in ancient days. We jump into prayer with a pressing need to be met, without coming rightly into God’s presence with awe and reverence. We have the opportunity to maintain an ongoing relationship with Him throughout our day but we let the urgency of the day’s demands take priority over spending time in the presence of Almighty God.
God gives us His Word to guide and direct us because He loves us deeply. He has set before us His way of righteousness to follow in order to keep us right before Him. We no longer need to offer blood sacrifices of animals because His son Jesus gave His own life as an eternal blood sacrifice; one that cleanses us from all sins, if we simply accept it.
Will you come before God today with reverence and respect? Spend time today in repentance and reflection? Offer your heart to Jesus and your life as a personal sacrifice to Him. Esteem Him because He is worthy. He didn’t promise it would be easy but He did promise that He would never leave you or forsake you and that you can overcome anything the world throws at you, through Him.
Tomorrow’s Delight: Leviticus 19-21
June Smith
San Antonio, Texas
mjunesmith@gmail.com
“Without His rule, we are never truly satisfied.” Lord, I pray that your kingdom come in my life today and rule as King.
Great devotion thank you June. I truly believe that when we come into His Presence it should be reverent and respectful and because He is worthy of it. Too many times we are rushed (myself included) and come to Him with just what we want from Him and not what He deserves first which is our praise and adoration.Yes His word is a map full of directions that if we would follow them they truly lead us the right way, His way, which Ps 18:30 says is PERFECT!!!!!!
Awesome devotion. I’m thankful for God’s word and that it will lead us in every aspect of our lives if we will just let it. I pray that I always live a reverent and repented life before God.