Daily reading assignment – Leviticus 22-23
The opening verses of Leviticus 22 remind ministers that God sets the highest ideals for those who minister before Him.
Understanding the immediate context of Leviticus 22 is its application to the priesthood; we nevertheless observe spiritual standards for all who serve the LORD.
The first principle is in how priests were to treat the sacrifices brought to them by the people (22:2).
While a portion of some sacrifices supported the priests and their households (Numbers 18:11-19, 26-29); there were other sacrifices wholly dedicated to the LORD and never to be shared or treated as common by the priests (22:2).
There was also the danger of a priest failing to assess his spiritual standing before the LORD (22:3).
The people might fail to discern a priest who was merely going through the motions; however, the LORD knows the heart and He requires holiness of those who serve Him.
A third example of treating the priesthood as common was the temptation to be lenient in who might share the portions set aside for the priest and his immediate family (22:10-16). I suggest a parallel of this temptation is the 21st century church diminishing the preacher’s sacred portion as the shepherd\teacher and apportioning an ever increasing role and influence to musicians lacking the spiritual qualifications to stand before the LORD and His Church.
Finally, sacrifices offered to the LORD were to be of the highest standard (22:17-32). There was the temptation to offer animals for sacrifice that were deformed, ill or injured. God’s standard was “there shall be no blemish therein” (22:21).
Leviticus 23 served as a reminder to keep the Sabbath Day holy (23:1-3) and identifies various feast days the nation was to observe during the calendar year: The Passover (23:4-14); the Feast of Pentecost (23:15-22); the Feast of Trumpets (23:23-32) and the Feast of Tabernacles (23:33-44).
Believer, God’s standard of holiness for those who serve Him has not changed .
Pastors failing to take the high road and live above reproach have become a leprosy in the 21st century church. Projecting an ideology of being “real” and approachable, many pastors are sacrificing holiness in the pulpit, embracing carnality, and leading believers to do the same (1 John 2:15-17).
1 Peter 1:15-16 – 15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; 16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
Copyright 2020 – Travis D. Smith