This Bible study is all about how God will be proved Holy in everything.
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After God had given instructions on how to offer sacrifices, it was time to consecrate Aaron and his sons so that they could perform their priestly duties. In these chapters, God shows how His holiness goes before.
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Read all about how God will be proved Holy, before reflecting on it below.
Leviticus 8 – 10
Consecration for God’s service
The first thing the priests had to do to be consecrated was to be publicly washed. This required humility as all of Israel watched. The priests were then clothed with garments that were provided for them, through no work of their own. They were anointed with oil and set apart for the service of God. Finally, they were required to make offerings as they acknowledged that they had failed in giving their best to God, who is proved Holy in everything.
Related post: God’s Priests: the incredible truth about being clothed in Righteousness
How are you also washed (by the word of God), clothed (in the righteousness of God), and anointed (by the Holy Spirit)? How have you been set apart by the God who is proved holy (1 Peter 2:9)?
Sacrifice and oil
The Priests had to be sprinkled with the anointing oil mixed with blood from the sacrifices. In the same way, we need a combination of the Holy Spirit working in and through us, and the sacrificial work of Jesus on the cross for us. We need to know that it is only through the blood of Jesus that we have righteousness with God, but we still need to put our faith into action to be proved Holy (James 2:26).
Do you allow the Holy Spirit to work in and through you, all the while knowing that you only have righteousness through the blood of Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9)?
Going to a quiet place to pray
Aaron and his sons had to wait seven days in the Tabernacle to complete their ordination. This was a period of being in the Lord’s presence because God dwelt among them in the Tabernacle (Exodus 40:34-37). This was also a time for them to learn patience and perseverance, having to stay in the same place for seven days. They had to trust that God would provide for all their needs and would protect them. The process of consecration – of being set apart for a Holy God – was not quick and easy. There was much reflection among the priests. They were continuously made aware of their own brokenness and need for sacrifice, as they offered sacrifices day after day.
Arron and his sons had to spend seven days in the Tabernacle, away from all distractions. When was the last time you spent time with God away from the world (Mark 1:35)?
Related Post: How to be still before God.
Everything for God’s glory
Aaron and his sons had been in the presence of God for 7 days, offering sacrifices to atone for their sins. Yet, on the eighth day, after their consecration was complete, they needed to offer another sin and burnt offering. Even though they were undergoing the consecration ceremony, the ceremony did not make them perfect. They had still sinned either in actions or in thoughts, and atonement had to be made before the glory of the Lord could appear to them.
After spending seven days in God’s house, Arron and his sons had to make sin offerings, and acknowledge that they had missed the mark and done wrong in God’s sight. Do you have sins you need to confess before God (1 John 1:9)?
Blessing others so that God is proved Holy
Aaron offered the sacrifices first for himself, then he offered additional sacrificed for the Israelites. After he had made sacrifices for the Israelites, he lifted his hands toward them and blessed them. Aaron’s time in the Tabernacle, followed by making atonement for the people, made his heart responsive to the people. When we are concerned about the spiritual well-being of our fellow christians, we desire for God to bless them, just as Aaron desired for God to bless the Israelites and did not ask for a blessing for himself.
How can you show the holiness of God by being a blessing to others (Romans 12:13)?
God is proved Holy
Then the glory of the Lord appeared to all the people and fired came down from heaven and totally consumed the offering that was on the altar. This is the fire that was to be kept continuously burning and never let burn out (Leviticus 6:8-13). It was a fire from God and it reminds us that our lives should be completely consumed by God. We need to continuously add wood and sacrifice to the fire so that it does not burn out. We need to spend time with God through prayer and reading His word. And we need to spend time with other believers so that our relationship with God can continue to grow and not fade.
How have you seen God proved Holy in your own life, by time spent with Him and other believers (Isaiah 6:1-5)?
God will be proved Holy
Aaron’s sons chose to go against God’s word and burn unauthorized fire before the Lord, so God struck them dead. Although this seems like such a harsh punishment to us, we must remember that they knew the word of the Lord – they had spent seven days being consecrated in His presence – yet they chose to ignore God’s word and do what was forbidden. The problem was not that they so desired God’s presence that they offered fire in humility the way God commanded. Rather they went outside of God’s provision and did what their human wisdom told them to do. They chose to listen to themselves and their pride, rather than to listen to what God had commanded.
Leviticus 10:3 tells us “Among those who approach the Lord, He will be proved holy; in the sight of all the people, He will be honored.” Although God tells us that we can come to him just as we are, for “while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8), we cannot come any way we please. We cannot come before God with a prideful sprit, we must come in humility (James 4:6). We must remember who God has called us to be – loving, joyful, peaceful, patient, kind, good, gentle (Galatians 5:22-23). But we can approach God with confidence knowing that Jesus has made a way (Ephesians 3:12).
God will be proved holy among His people. Is He proved holy in your life (Ezekiel 36:23)?
Teaching others that God is proved Holy
The priests had to be able to discern between what was holy and unholy, as well as what was clean vs unclean. The only way to do that was to know the word of God thoroughly. They also had to be able to teach the word of God to the Israelites. This is our same job as Christians: to know God and make Him known.
Do you know God and what His word says about Him? Do you make Him known to others, teaching them what His word says (Matthew 28:19-20)?
Reflect on how God is proved Holy in all things
In these three chapters, it is clear to see how God was proved Holy: both in the actions of the priests, but also in God’s own actions. How have you seen God’s Holiness?
This Bible study was all about how God is proved Holy in all things. From the consecration process of the priest so that they may serve on God’s behalf, to teaching others God’s laws.
God will be proved Holy in all things
