THE PRIESTHOOD BECOMES OFFICIAL

Last week we saw that the priestly ministry for the Wilderness Tabernacle had officially begun.

The priests were formally set aside and they all spent seven days alone with God.

On the eighth day Moses called Aaron and his sons and the elders of Israel together to sacrifice a fellowship offering and a grain offering.

This was to be the day that the LORD appeared to them!

INTRODUCTION

Welcome to our ongoing, every Thursday bible study called COME AS A CHILD.  Today’s lesson continues in Leviticus Chapter 8.  If you missed last week’s lesson you can find it here:  https://theinseasonlifestyle.com/seven-days-set-apart/.

WHEN THE GLORY OF THE LORD CAME DOWN

How appropriate that the LORD would appear on the eighth day.

This number eight is symbolic of a time of completion; a time that something becomes ready to be used of God. The priests, the elders and the people were ready.  It was time for God to fulfill the destiny of the wilderness tabernacle.  It was time for God to inhabit a place among the people.

They offered their fellowship offerings up and waited on God to appear.

The entire community was there at the entrance to the tabernacle.  Not one soul was missing on that day.

All of the proper sacrifices were given and presented before God in the designated way.

THE PEOPLE WERE BLESSED

After the wave offering was waved before the LORD by Aaron; the people were blessed by Aaron.

This moment of the history of God’s people held the very first Aaronic blessing that priests have used to bless the people of God with ever since; for years and years and years.

Aaron lifted his hands toward the people and blessed them.

THE FIRE OF GOD

Then Aaron stepped down and he and Moses went into the tent of meeting.

When they came out, they blessed the people again; and the glory of the LORD appeared to all of the people.

Fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed the burnt offering and the fat portions on the altar.

When all of the people saw that God had accepted their offerings they shouted for joy and fell face-down in worship.

THE JOY OF GOD’S ACCEPTANCE

They knew that God was with them and that He was for them.  All of the fear of the dangers of living in the wilderness could now be forgotten.  God was there!  Whatever nature threw their way; God would help them.

Each person knew that God’s Presence would go before them as they journeyed on through the wilderness.  It must have been the greatest comfort of their lives.

It was a time of great joy!

IN THE WILDERNESS OF TODAY’S WORLD

When I look at this today, I see examples of world leaders, priests and common people who STILL need God in their lives.

I see how some of the people come before God seeking His presence in their lives.  They offer their sacrifices; their prayers of repentance and their prayers of petitions are also spoken out. The people wait patiently for God to give them the answer that they are seeking; that God is still present among His people today.

ANSWERS TO PRAYERS TODAY

For those who come in sincere worship and obedience; God shows up.

He appears deep within their spirits and their hearts and He forgives their sins.

God cleanses them and covers their sins with the blood of Jesus.

He fills them up with His Holy Spirit; until they KNOW that they know, that they know God is going before them.

They realize; all that is required of them is to sincerely seek God and to come humbly before Him with all of their hearts and He will continue to lead His people throughout eternity and forever.

WHEN IS ETERNITY?

Someone once asked me; “When is eternity?”

I did not have the answer immediately; but I thought about it for a long, long time and came to realize that eternity begins over and over again with each breath of life that we take a new.

Every moment counts.

Each new breath begins forever from that moment on.

THE TIME IS NOW

If you haven’t begun to seek God yet; you can’t wait another moment.

The time is now; and your eternity begins all over again within this very minute.

Use your time wisely; give God the glory for every moment and every second and He will lead you through this wilderness of life until you can come joyfully into the promised land.  Don’t turn to the right or to the left without making sure that He is leading you there.

The Promised Land is still there. It is a spiritual place way beyond the imaginations of any man.

The Promised Land is still waiting for all of us.

We must simply follow God through till the end of the journey.

The Promised Land is waiting for you and me at the end of the journey; and God knows exactly how to get us there.

Trust Him.

Obey Him.

Love Him.

Worship Him.