Day 30 - From Offerings to Glory: Lessons in Worship and Obedience

Welcome to Day 30 of The Glory Team Bible Reading plan and we are starting the book of Leviticus. In Chapters 7-9, detail the regulations surrounding the "fellowship offering" or "peace offering," specifying that the meat must be eaten within a specific timeframe and that no unclean person can partake in it; it also describes the elaborate process of the priests' consecration, including the offering of sin and burnt offerings by Aaron and his sons, and culminates with the visible sign of God's acceptance as fire from heaven consumes the sacrifices offered on the altar, signifying the validity of their ordination and the people's covenant with God. 

Leviticus 7: Primarily focuses on the regulations surrounding the "trespass offering" and the "peace offering," detailing how these sacrifices should be prepared and consumed, with strict rules regarding which parts of the animal are to be offered to God on the altar and which parts can be eaten by the priests and the people; the chapter emphasizes the importance of not consuming blood or fat, and highlights the concept of the offerings as a means of seeking atonement and fellowship with God, with specific instructions on how to perform each offering correctly depending on the intention behind it - whether it be for repentance, thanksgiving, or a sense of community. 

Leviticus 8: Details the elaborate ritual of consecrating Aaron and his sons as priests, officially setting them apart for their sacred role in serving God; this involved washing them, dressing them in priestly garments, offering specific sacrifices including a sin offering and a burnt offering, anointing them with oil, and concluding with a seven-day period of remaining at the entrance of the tabernacle, signifying their complete dedication to their priestly duties and the importance of maintaining a constant state of holiness as mediators between God and the people. 

Leviticus 9: Details the first official priestly duties of Aaron and his sons following their consecration, where they offer various sacrifices including sin offerings, burnt offerings, and peace offerings to God on behalf of the people; this act is marked by a visible display of God's acceptance as fire from heaven consumes the offerings, signifying God's presence and blessing upon the newly ordained priests and the Israelites as a whole. 

Reference Guides:

Life Application Study Guide

A Popular Survey of the Old Testament by Norman L. Geisler

The Power of God's Names by Tony Evans