March 3, 2022 - Leviticus 1-4
Worship is under scrutiny and debate and much has been written on the importance of worship and prayer for the believer. The clothes we wear, the songs we sing, and the instruments we use can become more important than our attitude of worship.
For Moses and the people of Israel, worship of God and access to God were extremely vital. The wrong step, word, or deed could cause death, separation, or isolation to an individual or a whole community. Moses gave numerous instructions, including many details on how the nation could access God's presence for fellowship and worship.
Leviticus records the historical fulfillment of the commandments given by God in Exodus 29 and 40. "Leviticus gave the nation of Israel a guide on how to maintain the place where God dwelt with His people and how they would be holy before Him" (Moody Bible Commentary pg. 177).
Why do believers today need to read and understand a book like Leviticus? How does the sacrifices of animals and grain offerings influence us who do not like to see blood and would rather eat bread than gather grain and present it to the Lord as an offering?
The sacrifices and offerings were presented by the people of God, expressing their recognition of inferiority to God and unworthiness to approach Him without a covering or substitute for their sin. Whether Old or New Testament, holiness and purity has always been essential when approaching the Lord.
In the New Testament, Jesus met the holy demands of a sacrifice and His presentation of Himself provided the removal of sin, once for all (Hebrews 9:26,28). Jesus Christ's sacrifice allows us to boldly enter the throne room (Hebrews 10:19). While there may not be any more blood sacrifices or grain offerings, God still calls upon His people to be cleansed and purified. We now come to Him in prayer, fully trusting Him with a true and sincere heart as Hebrews 10:22 tells us, "Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water". Set aside extra time in prayer today, thanking God for the privilege of prayer before a holy God.