“Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy: for I am the LORD your God. And ye shall keep my statutes, and do them: I am the LORD which sanctify you.”(Lev.20;7,8)
If your heart yearns to know the Lord more and make Him known, delve into Leviticus. Beyond the laws, offerings and feasts lies the glory of God and our access to Him.
“It has been said that it took God only one night to get Israel out of Egypt, but it took forty years to get Egypt out of Israel.”(Unknown). Leviticus occurs a year after the first Passover and Israel’s redemption. The glory of the Lord fills the newly constructed tabernacle.
“Then a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. And Moses was not able to enter into the tent of congregation, because the cloud abode thereon, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.” (Ex.40:34,35).
But none could approach Him.
Genesis reveals the seed of a people for God through His covenant with Abraham, a seed to bless all nations.
”…and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.”(12:3)
Exodus gives birth to the people of the Lord, His first born.
“And thou shalt say unto Pharaoh, Thus saith the LORD, Israel is my son, even my firstborn.” (4:22).
Leviticus moves the people from redemptive birth to a sanctified kingdom of priests, a holy nation reflecting the glory of God in dedicated service as He teaches them how to draw near to Him.
“For I am the LORD that bringeth you up out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: ye shall therefore be holy, for I am holy…For unto me the children of Israel are servants; they are my servants whom I brought forth out of the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God.” (11:45;25:55).
“…for I am holy…Who is like unto thee, O Lord, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders… Exalt the Lord our God, and worship at his holy hill; for the Lord our God is holy… And one cried unto another and said, Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory… Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest. (Ex. 15:11; Ps. 99:9; Isa. 6:3; Rev. 15:4).
Holiness sets one apart from all that is not pure in goodness. There is no darkness in holiness, no spot of sin. The theme of Leviticus wraps itself in the holiness of the Lord God:
“…the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords; who alone possesses immortality and dwells in unapproachable light; whom no man has seen or can see. To Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen.” (1Tim. 6:15,16 NASB).
Which leaves mankind with a problem for: “There is none that doeth good, no, not one.” (Rom. 3:12). Leviticus exposes our nakedness and our covering of holiness for God’s people.
Amidst the laws, sacrifices and priests, Leviticus unravels the problem and shows us how to approach, serve and worship a holy God, the One who is like no other. Leviticus shows. It’s ours to receive and live out what we is revealed.
For Your Thought: What is your definition of holiness as it pertains to our God? What does holiness look like in a child of God? In your life?
(My apologies if this posts twice. The first post seemed to get lost somewhere in cyberspace.)
Meeting Jesus With Donna Stearns 