“Then tell the people of Israel, ‘Take a male goat for a sin offering and a calf and a lamb, both a year old and without defect, for a burnt offering, and an ox and a ram for peace offerings, to sacrifice before Adonai; also a grain offering mixed with olive oil — because today Adonai is going to appear to you.’”-Leviticus 9:3-4
Since Leviticus chapter 9 is dealing with the inauguration of the priesthood of Israel, the list of animals and grains are different than what will be used for the regular sacrificial rituals in the future.
We are clearly told why the ritual depicted here in Leviticus chapter 9 is different and why it’s to be considered special.
“Today, YAHWEH will appear to you”.
This is a special event indeed!
We’re not exactly told in what way the Lord is going to manifest Himself, but verse 6 gives us a little more information.
Moshe said, “This is what Adonai has ordered you to do, so that the glory of Adonai will appear to you.”
We’re told that the “glory” of YVYH is going to appear to the people.
The Hebrew word for “glory” here is KAVOD and would more literally mean “presence”.
So in some shape or form it is the PRESENCE of the Lord that is going to appear before Israel.
By making this ritual different than all the others, the Lord was communicating to Israel that it was His Presence that made all difference.
Minus His presence, the Tabernacle would have been nothing but an expensive tent.
The Tabernacle wouldn’t always be filled up with the Lord’s presence.
Sometimes the Lord’s presence would be there, but sometimes it wouldn’t.
Hence, the people would always be filled with great anticipation of when the Lord’s presence would show up.
The exact same principle applies to us as well.
Minus YHVH’s Holy Spirit dwelling within us, what are we?
Nothing but empty shells that can serve no heavenly purpose.
And just as some tents are much prettier and more elaborate than others, so to are people.
Some folks, on the surface, are pretty and good-looking.
But from the Lord’s perspective, it means nothing if His Spirit is not indwelling you.
We are told that Yeshua was of a most plain and humble appearance, yet was given the Spirit beyond measure.
On the other hand, we’re told that satan manifests himself as an angel of light.
Here’s the thing.
Many people will attempt to deny the uniqueness of the Biblical faith by pointing out that there are many individuals who don’t believe the Bible yet are moral, upstanding, kind, productive, and charitable etcetera
Ghandi is a perfect example of what the world lauds as a truly “good” person.
He was once quoted as saying “I like your Christ; I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.”
My point here is that as great as it is to be moral, upstanding, kind, productive and so on, it means NOTHING if you’re not filled with the Spirit of the Lord.
Remember, the Lord doesn’t see things the way the world does.
The world looks at the outside, the externals.
The world judges a person based on his or her looks, bank account size or societal status, but NOT the Lord.
The Lord looks inside.
You could have everything, but if you lack the Lord’s Spirit, you have nothing.
You could have nothing, but if you have the Lord’s Spirit, you have everything.
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