READING FOR AUGUST 16: LEVITICUS 8, LUKE 9, PSALM 81 LEVITICUS 8 This chapter is the implementation of instructions given in Exodus 29 for the consecration of the priests. Rather than rehash those details here, see the study from July 22, 2024. For some new insights into the organization and meaning of this process, a debt is owed to Doug Van Meter of South Africa https://brackenhurstbaptist.co.za/saved-to-serve/ The Calling of the Priests: Obviously, it’s a big deal to be called to serve as a mediator between the people of Israel and God as a priest. As the Bible clearly says, today, Jesus is our only high priest (Heb.4:14). Yet as believers, we all are priests in some respects (1 Pet. 2:9). Thus, aspects of this calling relate to us. The Calling was Particular: There was no job search or vote to select the priests: “No one takes the honor to himself, but receives it when he is called by God, even as Aaron was” (Heb. 5:4). Notice that if we are believers, we also are chosen to be priests: “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood” (1 Pet.2:9). This privilege (saved child of God) and responsibility (serve one another) don’tcome ala carte but as a package The Calling was Public: Who witnessed this consecration? In Lev. 8 God gives this command: “Assemble all the congregation at the doorway of the tent of meeting.” Van Meter’s application of public commitment for us: “This is precisely the role that baptism and formal church membership play in the life of the believer. There is an expectation laid upon every believer to serve as a priest” (Gal. 5:13). The Cleansing of the Priests: “Then Moses had Aaron and his sons come near and washed them with water” (Heb. 8:6). It was essential but likely humbling to be washed in front of thousands of people. Van Meter observes: “Moral cleanliness is simply an outward profession testifying to what should be an inward condition, and the two cannot, in fact, be separated.” Let’s learn from many Christian leaders who have failed in inner and outward purity: “As obedient children do not be conformed to the former lusts” (1 Pet. 1:14). The Clothing of the Priests: God is super precise about the articles of clothing the priests must wear to serve. Van Meter draws this parallel: “Just as the priests needed to appreciate their God-given clothing (they could not serve acceptably without it), so believers need to appreciate the nature of their clothing. We are clothed with the righteousness of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:21) and this enables us to serve the Lord.” The Consecration of the Priests: “He [Moses]poured some of the anointing oil on Aaron’s head and anointed him, to consecrate him” (Lev. 8:12). The very word Christ (Greek) or Messiah (Hebrew) means anointed one. Paul claims an anointing for himself, his co-workers, and seemingly for the Corinthian believers: “Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and anointed us is God” (2 Cor. 1:21). Van Meter’s application and question: “Every believer is therefore to serve the church according to his or her giftedness, empowered by the Holy Spirit. Are you actively and deliberately exercising your spiritual gifts with spiritual graces?” The Confession of Sin: “Aaron and his sons laid their hands on the head of the bull of the sin offering” (Lev. 8:14). Van Meter: “If church members will be effective in serving one another then they must first face their own failure and filth in the light of the gospel.” The Confinement of Priests: “You shall not go outside the doorway of the tent of meeting for seven days” (Lev.8:33). Can we be effective servants of God in the church without spending serious time alone with God in prayer and study? NO. If the priests left too early, God would kill them (vs.35).
READING FOR AUGUST 16, 2024 CONTINUED: LUKE 9, PSALM 81 LUKE 9 Stating the obvious from the Bible is sometimes necessary because we too often fail to grasp it or perhaps more accurately apply it. The process for sending out the disciples:
- Receive and respond to God’s call. Jesus called His disciples. As we saw from Lev. 8, we are all called to serve in the priesthood of believers. If you are reading this, you are likely called.
- Serve in the enabling God gives. The disciples received authority to heal and cast out demons. Do we even know what gifts of the Spirit we have that we can exercise with the fruit of the Spirit?
- Employ gifts to achieve God’s objectives. The disciples' mission was to proclaim the kingdom. Our objective is the same: share the gospel with those who are presently outside the kingdom.
- Trust God for the resources. The disciples didn’t raise funds but found resources as they went. God provides for us if we obey. Limited resources should not be the reason we don’t act.
- Leave the little group and go out to share. Get started and break away from our safe little group.
Following the simple formula above caused even the Judean leader to notice God’s work.
Jesus then gathered the disciples to debrief their outreach. Do we ever review initiatives after they are completed to see what can be learned? Not often. Note that Jesus employed a mix of personal witness (vs.1-6) and large-scale events (feeding 5,000 in vs.12-17). After feeding this crowd, Jesus retreated with his disciples (vs.18-22) for prayer, discussion of His identity, and a preview of the cross. This is another vital component in the mix of activities for God’s people.
How often do we need to deny ourselves and follow Him, according to Jesus? Each day our old nature suggests an agenda. If we prayerfully study His word, each day God gives us His agenda. This daily denying and following drama will run longer than any Broadway play or TV series. Seeing the glorious Kingdom of God, as in the transfiguration and the Father’s confirmation of Jesus’s preeminence, gives us motivation to take up our cross. If we don’t understand and experience Jesus for who He is, our cross will never be taken up. This may have been why the disciples couldn’t cast out the demon (vs.41) and foolishly discussed who was greatest among them (vs.46). Are we like them or react as the people did (vs.43): amazed at God’s greatness?
PSALM 81 All this liveliness appears to be celebration connected with Rosh Chodesh. This literally means “head of the month” in Hebrew: “on the first days of your months, you shall blow the trumpets over your burnt offerings, and over the sacrifices of your peace offerings; and they shall be as a reminder of you before your God. I am the Lord your God” Numbers 10:10. Ever view a Hasidic wedding or watch “Fiddler on the Roof”? That level of ecstasy we see in this Psalm and rarely see at a Methodist church or others. God then reminds of His rescue (vs. 8), Israel’s disobedience (11), His letting them go (vs. 12), and His desire to subdue their enemies (vs.14). Verse 15 is 100% applicable to our time: Those resisting the Lordship of God by not obeying His word actually pretend to obey Him. BROTHERS AND SISTERS STUDY THE BIBLE TO NOT BE DECEIVED.
