Earliest Priesthood

Aaron and his sons were consecrated and the priestly ministry began.

In Leviticus 8 – 10, Moses consecrated Aaron and his sons according to God’s commands. Every procedure must be followed strictly lest one would die. Aaron’s two sons died due to the offer of profane fire.

Aaron, his sons and his generations were appointed by God and they were the earliest priests. Aaron, his sons, the tabernacle and all that was in it, the altar and all its utensils were anointed. The consecration had to do with men and their garments. Aaron and his sons must not go outside but stayed at the door of the tabernacle of meeting day and night for seven days, and kept the charge of the LORD, so that they might not die.

Unique laws for priests:

1)      Their specific garments and ways of dressing

2)      The consecration

3)      Atonements for the priest (themselves) and the altar

4)      Atonements for the people

5)      Priestly ministry, for example, to handle offerings and bless people.

6)      Their due to be eaten in a holy place

All these laws have exclusive procedures and forbidden acts that must be observed strictly. The guilty priests would receive punishment according to their own deed.

Punishment to the culpable priests:

Aaron’s two sons, Nadab and Abihu, offered profane fire, which was not God’s command. Fire went out from the LORD devoured them.

The privilege of priests:

Being assigned to serve God for generations is a great honor. Aaron, his sons, his generations could enjoy the due (made holy) and eat them in holy place.

Conduct prescribed for priests:

1)      Do not drink wine or intoxicating drink when they go into the tabernacle of meeting lest they die.

2)      Distinguish between holy and unholy.

3)      Distinguish between unclean and clean.

4)      Teach the children of Israel all the statutes given by the LORD.

5)      Eat their due correctly.

Priests have great responsibility and must behave properly. They serve under God to help all people (including themselves) worship HIM faithfully. They must know exactly how to keep the place holy, how to purify the altar, how to handle various kinds of offerings, what must be burnt and where, what should be eaten and where. They themselves are sinners and need atonements as well, no exemption from disobeying God.

Nowadays, we go to the church to meet priests and receive their service. They still need to observe a lot of specific laws and attend to every detail with precision, to keep the self, the place, all the utensils holy, not according to their own will but God’s.

Priests are appointed servants of God to help us worship HIM. They must have a good reputation for keeping God’s rules sternly. We ought to heed their exhortation and keep walking in God’s way accordingly.

Let’s pray to God:

Our glorious Father, thanks for appointing priests to help us know You and consolidate our faith. Bless the priests to do their duties devotedly and support them at the difficult moments. Amen.

Offerings and Atonements to God

Children of Israel had different offerings to God. What can we offer now?

In Leviticus 1 – 7, God gave HIS people detailed instructions on how to worship HIM. Different offerings help people do thanksgiving and atonements properly. Nowadays, the practices change but the essence remains the same.

Offerings in the past:

1)      The burnt offering

2)      The grain offering

3)      The peace offering

4)      The sin offering

5)      The trespass offering

6)      Offerings with restitution

Each offering had its own laws to be observed firmly by the priest and the non-priest, for example, what to offer, how to prepare it, the location, the procedures and the forbidden acts. Failure to exactitude offends God and that person would be punished.

What time or circumstance to offer which offering? God proclaimed the commands that could direct people to cleanse themselves, an act of loving-kindness to free them from being guilty and so they could continue walking in HIS way uprightly.

Characteristics of the offerings:

1)      Criteria and steps are given by God for people’s strict observance.

2)      One’s free will is required.

3)      The sacrifice must be free from blemish.

4)      Atonements help people please the LORD and reconcile with HIM.

5)      The priest plays an important role in handling the offerings, which are made holy, to make atonement for people.

6)      Forgiveness is granted to the sinners after the priest made atonement for them.

People are still guilty for their unintentional sin and need forgiveness through proper atonement. In the modern days, we are not required to perform the same steps but this doesn’t exempt us from atonements that are necessary for our reconciliation with the LORD.

Nowadays, we still need to keep God’s commandments exactly. Don’t let lousy execution happen to hinder us from being saved by Jesus Christ. The Bible and the church tell us what we should do to worship God effectively. We can make offerings to the LORD by the following means.

1)      Pray to God always.

2)      Read the Bible daily.

3)      Devote time to meditate on God’s word.

4)      Have Reconciliation of Individual Penitents at least once a year. Do it in a monthly basis will be more desirable.

5)      Attend Sunday mass. It is highly recommended attending the weekday ones as well.

6)      Have communion.

7)      Donate money to support the living of the priest and the operation of the church, the poor and the needy.

8)      Join in a group of the church to increase the opportunity of serving God.

9)      Do volunteer work.

10)  Offer almsgiving.

The aforementioned list does not cover all the offerings we can submit to God. Look for more opportunities and devote our time, money and other resources to offer thanksgiving and atonement to God, and reconcile with HIM.

Let’s pray to God:

Heavenly Father, thanks for Your forever love to us. Please give us the wisdom to understand the importance of offerings and atonements, and do them wholeheartedly and exactly according to Your commands. Amen.

Worship God as One

Worship God effectively by adopting personal mode and collective mode.

In Exodus 35 – 40, children of Israel heeded God’s instructions and worked them out faithfully. The same purpose – do what God required -- begot an outstanding unity that guaranteed effectiveness. The LORD granted them HIS presence for their journey to the Promised Land.

Personal worship:

Children of Israel learned God’s laws from Moses, whom HE gave the honor to talk with HIM. People nowadays learn HIS precepts from the priests, family members, teachers, friends, or read the Bible by their own.

Just hearing and understanding God’s word are not enough to worship HIM. We ought to take helpful actions in our daily life consistently and persistently, suggestions given as below:

1)      Choose to believe the true God.

2)      Observe HIS commandments.

3)      Pray to HIM.

4)      Praise HIM.

5)      Love God and sacrifice for HIM.

6)      Tell others about the salvation of God.

Children of Israel acted with a willing heart to sacrifice their personal belongings for making the articles of the tabernacle. They loved God by obeying HIM strictly and putting aside their self-interest.

Though we are not asked to make the same things, we must discipline ourselves to keep God’s commandments, to build and increase our faith, and stay with the LORD every day.

Personal mode is necessary but limited. We should go further by participating in the collective mode to maximize the desirable outcome.

Collective worship:

There were many varieties in the list of articles to be made. A person couldn’t complete all the jobs sole. Children of Israel worked together, each contributed according to what he had and how gifted he was, for the same purpose – serving the only living God wholeheartedly and exactingly.

With God’s help, the artisans were filled with the spirit of God. They knew what and how to design, how to cut jewels and carve wood, etc., and not just knowing and doing alone, they taught others to increase the labor force. The joint effort brought forth satisfactory result.

One free giving or effort is inadequate and restricted. But same goal and belief result in unity. Substantial collection and works are achievable under oneness. Selfishness and individualism have been put aside to make the worship more effective than ever.

Thus, always seek cooperation in worshipping God and be supportive to one another. We could multiply the positive effect to a more remarkable level, for example, helping more non-believers come to know the LORD. Church is an ideal place for people to extend their participation by joining in the collective force to worship God, spread the Gospel and transmit HIS grace to others.

God blessed children of Israel through Moses for their well-done. HE will bless us according to our deeds.

Let’s pray to God:

The Most High, help us do our best as an individual and work together as oneness to worship You more effectively, with more good deeds done. Don’t let selfishness and individualism hinder us from loving You and our neighbors. Amen.

Importance of God’s Presence

Moses implored God to go with them. HIS presence carried great significance.

In Exodus 33 – 34, God refused going with stiff-necked people for fear of consuming them. People feared God and yet they knew HIS presence was vital. Moses tried his best to beseech the LORD. HE agreed finally, with the covenant renewed before setting out.

The precious values of God’s presence:

1)      God’s grace is bestowed, a sign to distinguish HIS people from other people dwelling on the earth. HIS people don’t have to fear humans no matter how strong other parties are.

2)      Nothing is impossible to the LORD. HE is the infallible source of protection from enemy, hunger, thirsty, evilness. HE never runs short of wondrous works and is generous with help to HIS people.

3)      God is full of goodness and refuses to go with wicked people. HIS presence suggested mercy and forgiveness given to children of Israel because they committed idolatry not long ago.

4)      God could check man’s corruption effectively through severe punishments or wondrous works. HIS presence will remind people to fear HIM and walk in a circumspect manner.

The LORD’s presence was remarkable indeed. To the majority, HE came in the form of a cloud. To Moses, they could talk like friends and he could see HIS back. No man can see God’s face and still be alive; HIS caution is an act of love, to spare life.

Same as children of Israel, we ought to believe in God, know HIM and receive HIS graces without seeing HIM. Always count our blessings and be thankful to the LORD. Never be a stiff-necked people, forgetting HIS loving-kindness to us.

Moses and children of Israel knew that they couldn’t do without God. Fear not to be with God but strengthen ourselves not to sin, HE will keep us safe without consuming us. Learn from Moses to stay friendly and rewardingly with God. He knew the LORD well, glorified and worshiped HIM properly. His virtues were worthy of imitating.

God is merciful and gracious, slow to wrath, and abound in love, goodness and truth. HE shows mercy to those who repent and ask for forgiveness, and yet HE won’t skip the punishments to sinners. HIS people must keep the renewed covenant to maintain a harmonious relationship with HIM.

Moses received God’s instructions 40 days and 40 nights, neither ate nor drank, and passed them to HIS people faithfully. His health did not deteriorate. In addition, his face shone and he had to wear a veil in front of other people. What a marvel result from talking with God!

Though God is omnipresence, we must make our effort to seek HIM. Fear the LORD, pray to HIM, praise HIM and observe HIS laws strictly forever. With faith growing stronger, we will earn HIS presence gradually.

Let’s pray to God:

Savior Jesus, have mercy on us. Please remove our sins, help us regain God’s presence and cherish it steadfastly throughout our life. Amen.