Read Leviticus 10:8-20
After the tragedy in our last reading, having more details about proper priestly conduct is helpful to those priests just learning their jobs. Thankfully the mistake caught in this reading became only a teachable moment, and Aaron’s response of remorse satisfied Moses.
The key here for the priests is discernment. The LORD says directly to Aaron, “You must distinguish between what is sacred and what is common, between what is ceremonially unclean and what is clean.” If only Aaron’s other two sons had made a better choice about the incense, a non-sacred item they brought to the sacrificial process. We’ll get to the clean and unclean discussion very soon.
The LORD was also giving the priests the great responsibility of teaching. He said, “And you must teach the Israelites all the decrees that the Lord has given them through Moses.” The priests were servants of God to be honored and respected themselves for how God trusted them. Now these priests would need to brush up on the law and be transparent with the people.
We also need discernment in our day. The world is full of mixed messages and confusing rhetoric. We hear people claiming their “truth” about this or that. Jesus is the only truth we as believers rely on. We also see people fighting with each other over some of the craziest things. The human condition hasn’t changed over the centuries.
Aaron’s crowd would have been just as divided on some issue or another. It would be Aaron’s job, and that of the priests to come, to instruct the people of God’s ways. For us, we have God’s word as our guide, and the Holy Spirit to give us discernment of what is holy and not.
That sounds like great news, but we need the lines of communication to be open. The Holy Spirit will guide us, but we need to be listening and following. We can’t let our own thoughts and opinions block the message we need to hear.
This passage goes on to speak to how the priests can maintain their holy behavior, even reminding them where they eat. Priests aren’t magically made divine when they are ordained. They are still sinful humans in need of forgiveness. These instructions for the proper sacrifice apply to the priests just as much as the rest of the population.
We may not be ordained priests serving like Aaron, but God still holds us to a standard of holiness. Jesus charged his followers and to set a good example and go make disciples. Now it’s our turn to be a good example as ambassadors for Christ, our forever high priest.
Let’s pray. Lord, I look forward every day to how you are going to use me. I am also thankful that you fill me with more and more understanding as I am faithful to you. I ask now for the encouragement I need to follow through with what I am to do today. Show me where I can make a difference. Help me to be better at listening for your voice. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
