Bible passage:
Parts of Leviticus 8,9:
Moses brought Aaron and his sons forward and washed them with water. He put the tunic on Aaron, tied the sash around him, clothed him with the robe, and put the ephod on him. He also fastened the ephod with a decorative waistband, which he tied around him. He placed the breast piece on him and put the Urim and Thummim in the breast piece. Then he placed the turban on Aaron’s head and set the gold plate, the sacred emblem, on the front of it, as the Lord commanded Moses. He poured some of the anointing oil on Aaron’s head and anointed him to consecrate him. He then presented the other ram, the ram for the ordination, and Aaron and his sons laid their hands on its head. Moses slaughtered the ram and took some of its blood and put it on the lobe of Aaron’s right ear, on the thumb of his right hand, and on the big toe of his right foot. Moses then said to Aaron and his sons, “Cook the meat at the entrance to the tent of meeting and eat it there with the bread from the basket of ordination offerings, as I was commanded: ‘Aaron and his sons are to eat it.’ So Aaron came to the altar and slaughtered the calf as a sin offering for himself. Then he slaughtered the burnt offering. His sons handed him the blood, and he splashed it against the sides of the altar. Then Aaron lifted his hands toward the people and blessed them. And having sacrificed the sin offering, the burnt offering, and the fellowship offering, he stepped down. Moses and Aaron then went into the tent of meeting. When they came out, they blessed the people; and the glory of the Lord appeared to all the people.
Nadab and Abihu died offering unauthorized fire before the Lord. God has also rejected the sacrifices of Cain (Gen 4), of Saul (1 Sam 13), and as given in Amos 5:21-24. As a New Testament priest, if our sacrifices and our prayer incenses are to be pleasing and acceptable to the Lord, we need to be consecrated for Him and by Him. For most of the Old Testament rituals, we do see a New Testament fulfillment. Ask in prayer whether you are washed by Him, clothed with Christ and with the armor of God, anointed by the Holy Spirit, cleansed by His blood to be in His service, fed by the living bread. Then after we confess our sins and are right with God, we take up His service interceding to Him for others and then blessing them.
After being reminded of how holy and set apart we are expected to be, do you wonder whether you are fit for His service? I'm sure that making a golden calf and leading many of God's people to worship that is not one of your sins! Leaving that aside too, I'm sure that as a priest, Aaron was not perfect. We stand before a holy God only because of the righteousness of Christ. Praise be to God for His mercies.
Prayer points:
Pray that God shows you where you lack, and where you are displeasing to Him. Pray and wait in His presence to seek His response.
Pray for God's fresh anointing on you, to make you fit for interceding for others.
Like the physical body needing a balanced diet to enable one to work efficiently, and keep oneself from ailments, wait in God's presence and ask Him if you are having a spiritually balanced diet. Are you dry and empty? or would you faint from unanswered prayers or for answers that would come after a long waiting period? Are you still drinking only spiritual milk and not solid food? Ask our Lord to feed you and give you a plan for a healthy diet.
If you can, try memorizing Hebrews 13:15,16
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