honor God – Be Still…

Leviticus 10:8-20 – Priestly Conduct

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. Continue reading “Leviticus 10:8-20 – Priestly Conduct”

Leviticus 3:1-17 – A Peace Offering

Read Leviticus 3:1-17

This whole sacrifice system is quite interesting, probably because it is not familiar, and I like to learn new things. However, for people in Moses’ day, even people in other cultures, the idea of sacrifice would be common practice. The difference is critical, and that is that the Israelites were sacrificing to the LORD out of respect. It was also an act of communicating with the LORD, Creator of the universe.

It seems the peace offering was really another type of burnt offering. Things were getting burned with a pleasing aroma for God. The peace offering itself offered a variety of options. The bottom line was that a peace offering’s purpose was for peace and communion with God, not a cleansing of sin like the other burnt offerings of Chapter 1. Continue reading “Leviticus 3:1-17 – A Peace Offering”

Ezekiel 33:21-33 – Remaining Faithful

Read Ezekiel 33:21-33

It’s an interesting experience reading through Ezekiel realizing that his time stamped prophecies are not in chronological order. If your brain works craves “order” like mine, I’ve put a post over in the “Devotions on the Go!” Facebook group that sets out the order one should read these dated texts.

The good news is that we’re now in the final section of Ezekiel’s writings which are more filled with hope. As Israel’s watchman, Ezekiel will now focus more on the restoration of God’s people. Will they at last respond favorably to God? Continue reading “Ezekiel 33:21-33 – Remaining Faithful”

Ezekiel 22:23-31 – He Found Nobody!

Read Ezekiel 22:23-31

No wonder the Israelites were disobedient – it trickled down from corrupt leadership. We’ve heard that before, but what struck me was that God could find nobody in all the land who “might rebuild the wall of righteousness that guards the land.” I suppose if someone was at one time devoted, it would be easy to convert to idol worshippers just to be popular or accepted by society. It’s powerful to know God didn’t want to have to resort to total destruction. The people clearly did bring it on themselves with their disobedience and irreverence.

Even today we have pockets of believers living amidst those caught up in the snare of evil. It can be hard to not give in to fit in mindset. Thankfully God would still be able to find somebody to help him rebuild those walls. These verses speak volumes about the importance of having godly leaders, don’t they? Continue reading “Ezekiel 22:23-31 – He Found Nobody!”

Ezekiel 22:17-22 – Refining Fire

Read Ezekiel 22:17-22

What this reading made me think of was song lyrics. This song “Refiner’s Fire” was an oldie but goodie when I started using it as a prayer in worship. “I choose to be holy, ready to do Your will.” To serve like Jesus served. We want to be set apart, seen as different from the world. Such beautiful lyrics to “live by” and use as prayer verses.

Those lyrics are certainly a different angle from the image of the refining fire Ezekiel speaks of in this passage. I’m not sure I want to spend a lot of time reflecting on people who God considers “worthless slag.” I have to admit, I didn’t know what “slag” was until I read these verses. Continue reading “Ezekiel 22:17-22 – Refining Fire”