The LORD Appeared [Leviticus 9]

18Then he slaughtered the ox and the ram, the sacrifice of peace offerings which was for the people; and Aaron's sons handed the blood to him and he sprinkled it around on the altar. 19As for the portions of fat from the ox and from the ram, the fat tail, and the fat covering, and the kidneys and the lobe of the liver, 20they now placed the portions of fat on the breasts; and he offered them up in smoke on the altar. 21But the breasts and the right thigh Aaron presented as a wave offering before the LORD, just as Moses had commanded.

 22Then Aaron lifted up his hands toward the people and blessed them, and he stepped down after making the sin offering and the burnt offering and the peace offerings. 23Moses and Aaron went into the tent of meeting. When they came out and blessed the people, the glory of the LORD appeared to all the people. 24Then fire came out from before the LORD and consumed the burnt offering and the portions of fat on the altar; and when all the people saw it, they shouted and fell on their faces.

 

This passage blessed my heart today as I saw why God gave such careful instructions concerning the sacrifices. Aaron offered all the sacrifices so that the people would be ready to receive the Lord in their midst.  All the people saw His glory appear as Moses and Aaron blessed the people.  I love the response to seeing His glory, "Then fire came out from before the LORD and consumed the burnt offering and the portions of fat on the altar; and when all the people saw it, they shouted and fell on their faces."

In order for the people to receive what the LORD was doing for them and giving to them, they had to be humble.  It took humility to accept what God required for each sacrifice and to be willing to do each step.  Even the response to seeing God's glory was a one of humility as they fell on their faces.  James 4:6 tells us that "God is opposed to the proud but gives grace to the humble."

 

Father, we praise You for being a God who desires intimacy with Your children.  Cause us to fall on our faces as we receive the majesty of Your presence in our hearts today.  Thank You, Jesus for becoming flesh and dwelling among us so that we could behold God's glory. (John 1:14)


Verna McCrillis, 6/14/2010