Leviticus 9 Devotional

Glory After the Offering

“Fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed the burnt offering and the fat portions on the altar. And when all the people saw it, they shouted for joy and fell facedown.”Leviticus 9:24 (BSB)

After seven days of ordination, the eighth day arrives, and Moses tells the people why everything is happening: so that the glory of the LORD may appear to them (9:6). Aaron offers a calf as a sin offering for himself before he offers anything for the people (9:7-8). Then come the people's offerings, each done as commanded (9:15-21).

When they are complete, Aaron lifts his hands and blesses the people. He and Moses go into the tent and come out to bless them again, and the glory of the LORD appears to everyone. Fire comes out from his presence and consumes what is on the altar, and the people shout for joy and fall facedown (9:22-24). Sacrifice was never the goal. It opened the way for God to show himself and bless. Hebrews says Jesus, unlike Aaron, has no need to offer first for his own sins; he offered himself once for all (Hebrews 7:27). Because of that offering, blessing is where God means your coming to him to end.

To think about: How might you come to God differently today if you expected his blessing rather than his displeasure?