Leviticus is not the funnest book in the Bible. Yes...I think the Bible can be fun to read. There's a little bit of everything, drama, action, battles, and yes even Romance...but Leviticus is alot of rules and regulations, a book of how to do things things that on the surface no longer apply to us. We don't have to offer sacrifice as they did. The veil is torn, Christ died for our sins... But it's there for a reason.
Trust me..I have enough on my plate, my life is busy too and I don't have extra time to waste on things that don't apply to me. But it does.. When we pull back the layers, get past the surface and find the meaning behind why God required this of them...we find Gold. Truth that teaches us to grow in our walk with him and deepen our relationship with him. Push past the religious rituals that we feel like we have to follow and see that it was always intended to draw us closer to him and bind our hearts to him as well. And a life bound to him is true freedom.
So what is Leviticus chapters 8 and 9 teaching us today. They're about consecration. About being set apart. About preparing to serve.
When I read chapter 8 where Aaron and his sons are washed, clothed, anointed, marked, I couldn't help but think about my own ordination in October.
I remember standing there knowing this wasn't just a title. It wasn't just a ceremony. It wasn't about a piece of paper or someone laying hands on me. It was so much more than that. I felt the weight of it.
Leviticus shows us that before anyone steps into ministry publicly, there is a private setting apart. Aaron didn't just decide to lead. God called him. Then God prepared him. They were anointed because you cannot do God’s work without God's Spirit.
When I was ordained, I felt that in my spirit. My life is not my own. It never really was, but stepping into that calling publicly made it real in a different way. The conversations I have. The words I speak. The places I go. The things I partner with. It all carries weight now.
Then In chapter 9, after obedience, after they did exactly what the Lord commanded the glory of the Lord appeared. Fire came from His presence and consumed the offering. The fire fell after the consecration.
Not before, but After.
We talk so much about revival. About wanting the fire of God, About wanting His presence to fall in our churches and homes.
Leviticus tells us we have to prepare first. And this isn't just about pastors or ordination. We are all called. We are all priests now because of Jesus. We all carry His name.
Motherhood requires consecration. Leadership requires consecration. Marriage requires consecration. Ministry requires consecration. Even everyday faith requires it.
And Leviticus 8 and 9 teaches us that before the fire falls publicly, there is preparation privately. Before glory shows up in the room, there is surrender in the secret place.
My ordination in October wasn't just about a title or getting praise or putting me on a pedestal. It was a deeper yes. A yes to being washed again. A yes to being marked. A yes to carrying the things of God carefully. A yes to letting Him bind my heart to His even tighter.
Because a life bound to Him....That's where the freedom is. That's where the fire falls. That's where His glory rests. And that is Exactly where I want to be, don't you?
Love Pastor Mandy
Ark of Hope Ministry
Daily reading Leviticus 8-9
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