ON THE EIGHTH DAY. Leviticus 9 All the instructions had been given; all the preparations were complete; the priests’ clothes were ready; the perfect animals were present for offering; the fine flour was prepared and ready for use; the people had gathered—what had been taught was now about to be enacted and observed by the congregation. I watched from my distant place in the future and could feel both the anticipation and the fear. The cloud hovered over the Tabernacle, which had been built and completed exactly as God had instructed.
Now, the offerings were made to allow God's people to come to Him. In sincere faith, they presented the offerings—first for Aaron, then one by one for the people. Carrying out this sacred work would have required everyone involved to carefully remember everything they had been taught. Likely, the observers wondered what God would do and how they would know He was pleased to accept them.
The purpose of worship is for us to fellowship with God. The sacrifices the Israelites offered were not meant to be an end in themselves. They allowed those who came to meet with God to do so in a holy place, in the presence of such a sacred God. How amazing it is that because of the “once-for-all” sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ, who took away our sins by bearing them in His own body on the cross, we can come freely into God’s presence at any time.
They arrived that day. The Sabbath had ended, and something new was about to happen. Not everyone may initially understand the importance of faith when it takes hold of God's grace and blessings. But when sacred things are done in God's way, His presence will soon become evident. When we gather to honor our Lord Jesus Christ, the "eighth-day" blessings will then be revealed.
Those who worship and praise hold a sense of reverence and divine fear. They feel that God is present whenever they lift their voices in worship. While only a few may gather to express their gratitude to God, they all share a sincere, deep gratitude for Him.
The things of God should never be approached lightly or casually. Holy activities and sacred matters require holy people to act with respect and reverence before the Most Holy God. In grace, God has revealed His will in His Word to us. He expects us to approach Him and behave according to His chosen way when we serve Him.
On the eighth day, Moses passed the priestly duties to Aaron. Aaron carefully followed exactly what the Lord had instructed Moses as he performed those first offerings. Everyone watched, but more importantly, he knew the Lord was watching.
Those watching at the gate as Aaron and the priests began their duties would have wondered at the carefulness and caution taken when the animal was killed, and the hands were placed upon its head. This was the first time this was done at the Tabernacle. Then they sprinkled the blood, took the skin and all the parts, and separated the fat. They would also have observed, for the first time, that there is a pattern to our approach to God.
Our attitude toward God's things is evident to those who observe us. Our approach to church life is noticed by our family and even by those who see us from a distance. Our neighbors know that we will worship God on a Lord's Day morning. Our clothing, behavior, and even the Bible we carry demonstrate how much value we place on the things of God.
When we gather as ministers to worship, those observing from the "learners' seat" will form impressions of our willingness to follow the scriptural pattern that was taught. On occasions when we assemble with new believers in new church work, the attitude and actions of those who participate in the Lord's Supper set the tone for that day’s meeting and the days that follow.
Holiness is "becoming" in the house of God, which can be observed by those who watch and listen. Much of the impact of our service depends on how we worship and present our offerings to God. Every word we speak about the Lord Jesus Christ and every song and hymn of praise sends a message to those watching. The message of the Gospel is clearly conveyed when God's people gather to remember Him and proclaim His death until He comes again.
The seven days of preparation during which Aaron and his sons obeyed everything commanded by the Lord through Moses prepared them for this day - the eighth day of a new beginning for God's people. The preparation period was complete. Now, it was time for the people to see and fulfill the faith requirements. Every action and visible sign of the order God desired was observed carefully. The smoke of the sin offering rose from outside the camp, where it burned as a testimony of a sinless substitute taking the place of the sinner. On the altar, each part was placed correctly, with the fat on top.
The goat served as a sin offering, reminding the people that things needed to be right with God before they could truly worship Him. The bull and the ram were designated for specific sins rather than for our sinful nature. When Moses, Aaron, and all the people following God's instructions saw fire from God consume the offerings, it meant God had accepted them! A deep reverence then fell on everyone! It must have been such a relief for them to realize God had accepted their sacrifices through faith. God welcomes the sacrifices of a broken spirit and a contrite heart.
Aaron turned and raised his hand high toward the people so they would know they were included and blessed because of everything happening before them. Nothing we do is without some consequences, whether good or bad. When it comes to our testimony and fellowship with God's people, it is important that the dignity, honor, respect, and reverence we have for God are visible to those who observe. Certain things are communicated without words. Our attitude toward the things of God is often more important than our actions and words.
We may never understand the impact on those who witness that scene, as we do in the fellowship we share. We don't have the right or authority to force faith upon them, even though ours is so tender. Perhaps a simple word or phrase, expressed in a way they can hear and understand, will answer the questions they raise, and, through faith, Christ will truly reveal Himself to them.
When Moses and Aaron entered the Tabernacle, blood was sprinkled on the horns of the golden altar where incense burned before God. There might have been a quiet sense of awe among the people as they watched, wondering what was happening between those who represented them and God. When they reappeared at the door of the Tabernacle and blessed the people again, God's glory was evident. One thing we do know is that holy fire emerged from within the Tabernacle, and the offerings on the altar were burned before everyone’s eyes. The presence of God brought both joy and reverent fear. That is how our worship of God and awareness of His presence when we gather should influence others beyond ourselves. "Holiness becometh Thy house, O God."
The eighth day of resurrection and rest now stands as a testament to the blessing we will experience in heaven when Israel enjoys the promises of the kingdom in their "Sabbath rest" on earth. Those who have been redeemed by the blood of Christ and placed into the Body of Christ will experience eternal rest because of God's grace. That grace provided the sacrifice of Christ, which is the foundation of our everlasting rest. All that God requires has been fulfilled.
Through the sacrifice of Christ, atonement for sin has been made, and we have "peace with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ." Sin and its curse have been eliminated. Satan has been defeated. God is able to bless His people, and they can dwell in His house and be fully accepted as sons and daughters of God. Blessings will come to Israel when they see the Messiah in His glory, and they will enjoy that eighth-day rest of joy and reverence for the King of kings.