In OT , God’s people met God and greeted him through their Sacrifices. They made their offerings “so that the glory of the Lord ( might ) appear” to them ( 9:6 )

🌈 God , while speaking on the Tabernacle in Exodus 29:43-46 said :
》 I will meet the Israelites here and it will be consecrated by His glory.
》 I will consecrate the Tent of Meeting, the Altar , Aaron and his sons to serve as priests.
》 I will dwell among them and be their God.

📌 Today’s reading portion gives us the basic information about the ORDINATION OF AARON AND HIS SONS AND THE BEGINNING OF THEIR PRIESTLY MINISTRY ( Ref Ex 29:1-46 ; 40 : 1-38 & Lev 8:1-2 ; 9 ) .

📝 THIS ORDINATION RITUALS ( Lev 8 ) are to be done :
✅ In the presence of all the people .
✅ Every time when a new priest are to be ordained .

📝 During this ORDINATION the priests are :
✅ to wash ( 8 :5 – 6 )
✅ to put on the special clothing ( 8 :7 -13 )
✅ to offer three sacrifices ( 8:14-36 )

📝 PRIESTLY MINISTRY ( 9:1-24 )
✅ Aaron and his sons are not to leave the Tent of Meeting for 7 days ( 8:33-36 )
✅ Aaron had to offer sacrifices @ Sin offering and a Burnt offering
✅ Israelites are also required to offer a Sin offering
✅ Aaron had to raise his hands and pronounced a blessing over the people in the name of the Lord ( 9:22 @ Num 6:24-26 )

📝 AARON’S FIRST TIME IN THE TENT OF MEETING ( 9:23-24 )
✅ He went with Moses.
✅ They came out and blessed the people.
✅ The glory of the Lord appeared to all the people 🙌
✅ The Lord’s fire 🔥 consumed the Burnt Offerings. It showed :

👉🏽 His acceptance of all the sacrifices
👉🏽 His forgiveness of people’s sins .
👉🏽 His acceptance of the Tabernacle and the Priests .
👉🏽 His presence with his people.

🌈 God’s ultimate purpose in establishing all these regulations was to enable his relationship with his people. He wants to meet with people who open their hearts to him . He wants to dwell with them and be their God.

📌 The mandatory sacrifices ( Lev 4:1-5:13 ) removed the ” Negative Space ” ( sin ) created between God and people , while the voluntary gifts ( Lev 1:3-3:17 ) initiated a “Positive Encounter” with God , who promised to respond with pleasure to freewill offerings .

💕 Beloved , we still make contact with God through our giving . The “Negative Space” has been removed by Christ’s Sacrifice ( Heb 10:10 ) and we can come into His presence at any time .

Glory to God 🙌
✍🏽 Mark Boje, ArP 🇮🇳