January 23, 2022 - Leviticus 9-15

Moses and Aaron went into the tent of meeting after offering the sin offering and burnt offering and the peace offerings: “And Moses and Aaron went into the tent of meeting, and when they came out they blessed the people, and the glory of the Lord appeared to all the people” (9:23). All this is just amazing to me. The people are encamped out in the middle of nowhere and they are meeting with the God of heaven. They are interacting with him and hearing from him. “. . . and fire came out from before the Lord and consumed the burnt offering and the pieces of fat on the altar, and when all the people saw it, they shouted and fell on their faces” (9:24). Just amazing! That the Creator God would come and meet with us. That he would talk with us. That he would sacrifice so much for us. Amazing! Amazing! Amazing!

How gracious was God! But make no mistake, he responds with judgment to those who reject his instructions. Consider Nadab and Abihu. Furthermore, there are instructions concerning clean and unclean foods, unclean animals, purification after childbirth, leprosy, and various bodily illnesses. God does not just say, “Do whatever you will.” Israel often failed to follow God’s instructions but, still, he came down and met with them and kept them! How holy is he, and how gracious is he! And, so, we sing, “Come, thou almighty King,” as to Israel, come to us!

Come, thou almighty King,

help us thy name to sing;

help us to praise.

Father all-glorious,

O’er all victorious,

come and reign over us,

Ancient of Days. –Anonymous