April 24, 2014
Leviticus 9-Part 2
And there came a fire out from before the LORD, and consumed upon the altar the burnt offering and the fat; which when all the people saw, they shouted, and fell on their faces.
Leviticus 9:24
LET IT GLOW
It was a hot and dry month without rain two years ago. The fields and yard were covered with yellow, dry, crunchy grass. Leaves were beginning to fall like it was autumn. Creeks were going dry. I had never seen such a drought. I prayed and prayed for rain to fall. In God's time, it fell. When it fell, I ran outside, looking up to the sky, arms up, and praised my Lord with thanksgiving for His mercy and rain. I was so excited that I was dancing in the rain. I didn't mind getting soaked in my clothes that day. Thank You, Jesus!
The Israelites were excited in this chapter. Continue on to find out the reason why.
Moses, Aaron, and the priests followed God's directions for the sacrificial system, offering the first sacrifices. They had concentrated themselves and served the Lord and brought offerings to Him. They blessed the people.
It is supposed that Moses accompanied Aaron into the tabernacle to show him how to offer the incense, prepare the lamps and the perfume, adjust the shew-bread, etc. (Clarke's Commentary)
Then...
The glory of the LORD appeared unto all the people.
The MacArthur Bible Commentary says the Bible speaks often of the glory of God-the visible appearance of His beauty and perfection in blazing light. His glory appeared to Moses:
- in a burning bush in Midian (Ex. 3:1-6),
- in a cloud on Mt. Sinai (Ex. 24:15-17),
- in a rock on Mt. Sinai (Ex. 33:18-23).
- filled the tabernacle (Ex. 40:34),
- led the people as a pillar of fire and cloud (Ex. 40:35-38),
- filled the temple in Jerusalem (1Kings 8:10-11)
- was perfectly expressed in His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ (John 1:14).
Fire came out and consumed (ate up) the burnt offering on the altar. This signifies that God had accepted their offerings. (1 Kings 18:38-39)
This signified that God's wrath turned from the Israelites, and that God entered into covenant and communion with them. (Matthew Henry)
Did you know there were other times in which this occurred? We read of it happening in the case of:
- Abel (Gen. 4:4),
- Aaron (verse 24),
- Gideon (Judges 6:21),
- Manoah and his wife (Judges 13:19-23),
- David dedicating the threshing floor of Ornan (1 Chron. 21:28),
- Solomon dedicating the temple (2 Chron. 7:1),
- Elijah (1 Kings 18:38). (Clarke's Commentary)
God's glory was the manifest excellence of His divine character, and at times it shone forth in a bright and shining magnificence. (Falwell)
Do others see God shining in us and through us?
Is He pleased with our life as a sacrificial offering?
Do we anticipate a visit from God?
LET IT GROW
When all the people saw, they shouted and fell on their faces (verse 24b).
In Acts 2:3, we read of the Spirit descended upon the apostles in fire.
1 John 14:13 assures us, Hereby we know that we dwell in God, and God in us, because He hath thus given us of His Spirit.
We must have grace, that holy fire, from the God of grace, else we cannot serve Him acceptably (Heb. 12:28). (Henry)
The people fell on their faces, in humility and adoration before a holy God. Fear of God should drive us to our knees.
There were shouts of joy because God accepted their offerings. Do we joyfully shout to God in praise?
Shout, ranan in Hebrew, means to cry aloud, sing.
Now, I ask you again, do you joyfully shout to God in praise?
David told us, in Psalm 132:9b, let the saints shout for joy.
Do you have anything to shout about? Are you saved? Are you blessed of God? Are you His child?Are you breathing today?
LET IT GO
Sing and shout with joy unto my Lord Jesus!
Bow before Him in worship.
Jehovah sits on His throne on high.
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