Leviticus 9:23-24. “And Moses and Aaron went into the tabernacle of the congregation, and came out, and blessed the people: and the glory of the Lord appeared unto all the people. And there came a fire out from before the Lord, and consumed upon the altar the burnt offering and the fat: which when all the people saw, they shouted, and fell on their faces.”
BEFORE THE GLORY. Do what He says, don’t mess around – this is the eighth day. It is time to start – this what God has had in His mind all along. Take the right ones – the animals God clearly chooses – and wants. The young calf, the rams, the bullock – do it right. And you’ll see the glory!
Drew near – don’t stay away from Him. “Come near to Me.” Everyone, come closer. Distance divides God’s people. Distance keeps us away from God Himself and we don’t want that.
The Lord has commanded us to draw near to Him and His place. And the glory will appear!
Don’t stay where you are. Go to the altar where you can make atonement. Go there for the people – go to the place where the Lord commanded. Leave your comfort zone – Move forward to where God waits for you. The place and time for the atonement is here. God’s glory will appear!
One by one they are led to the altar. One by one they die there. Animals only it is true, but they are sinless – clean – able to be a substitute. Temporary it is true – the Reality is yet to come – years in the future. The Savior is coming. They slew the animals – pictures only. The glory will appear!
Brought the people’s offering – it was the first. Brought the burnt offering and offered it according to the manner. Brought the meat offering – visible evidence of the Christ who is to come. Brought the peace offering for the people – between them and God. The glory will appear!
God’s man for the moment – Aaron as the representative of people; Acting for the first time in such a public way. Dressed the way God wanted him to dress – doing what God wanted him to do; In the way God wanted it done – lifted up his hand toward the people. You will see the glory appear!
Aaron blessed the people. He could do it because he was given that right. God knew who He wanted, doing what He wanted. He offered the way God wanted it done. The offerings were on the altar right. Aaron came down from the place. God wanted room to work – FIRE from the Lord! The glory of the Lord appeared to all the people!
“Visit us again, O God of our salvation! Let us see Thy glory here – in this place of tension and uncertainty for some. Let us see an unmistakable display of Thy glory in this place at this time. However, we can act or speak that we might be like obedient Aaron and Moses – use us – and then let us step down from the altar that Thy glory may appear in the fire of God’s approval. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.”