Read Leviticus 8:1-36
Moses listened to God’s instructions and inducted Aaron and Aaron’s sons as priests properly before the LORD. This ritual is an act of God. What a process! Moses touched on the ordination offering requirements just a bit back in Chapter 6. Here, we have a front row seat to watch the ceremony take place. You may recall God gave Moses the instructions in Exodus 29.
Moses was clearly in a place of honor that day as he installed his brother, Aaron, and his nephews into the holy position of priest. Little did Aaron know when he helped his brother lead the people out of Egypt what his future would hold and how God would use him. If Aaron was feeling at all unworthy, the ordination process was meant to cleanse, as verse 34 says, “Everything we have done today was commanded by the Lord in order to purify you, making you right with him.” Aaron, along with his brother Moses, forever changed the lives and futures of the Israelite people.
Aaron’s descendants would be the ones charged by God to preside over the temple sacrifices. These priests represent God so he can be active in these rituals. After all, God is the one being honored in the whole process. How fitting that the priests would be acting on his behalf!
Moses’ devotion to God continues to be a good example for us. The lines of communication were wide open between God and Moses, and Moses didn’t keep those messages to himself. He acted. In this reading, the ordination process was initiated, and the first priests were ready to bring people closer to God.
How often do we hold back from putting our faith into action? If God is calling you to do something, you should do it! If you’re like me, you find all sorts of excuses why you can’t do something.
My recent example of this is when I resisted working with Mexican children for the first six years we lived here because I didn’t think my Spanish was good enough. I still don’t, but God equips us for service. I love every moment I work at La Ola Girls Home. He’s shown me ways to communicate with the children as I challenge myself to learn and communicate in Spanish more each day.
What is it for you that God is calling you to do? Maybe you are still waiting for confirmation. Fight off the lie that you’re not ready or not good enough. Maybe you’re in the throes of ministry and feeling that “God inspiration” or empowerment, too.
Every believer has a job to do, I firmly believe that. Peter counsels us in 1 Peter 4:10, “God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.” God chose Aaron’s family to be priests. What has he chosen you to do?
Let’s pray. LORD, I thank you for choosing me and believing in me despite the times I stumble and fall. Keep me strongly planted in your Word where you speak to my heart and lead my path. I am so grateful for how you have gifted me, but I need your power to be better at using those gifts to help others. I love you, LORD, and am honored to be able to share your love with others. In Jesus’ name. Amen.