The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound[.]

Leviticus 8

The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound[.] Isaiah 61:1, Luke 4:18

This afternoon, I continued my study of Leviticus using the Christ-Centered Exposition series commentary for this book - continuing with chapter eight - Are You Ready to Serve - covering Leviticus 8:1-8:36, looking specifically at the theme - Be Consecrated to Serve.  Here, the commentary focuses on how God directed Moses to anoint Aaron and his sons to serve in the priesthood.  Anointing oil, the anointing of the altar, and the anointing of Aaron and his sons is mentioned seven times in Leviticus 8 (v2, 10, 11, 12, 30).  The act of anointing the altar, Aaron, and his sons is God's way of "pouring out His blessing" on the altar, Aaron, and his sons.  With the anointing process, God's bestows spiritual power and position.   This process is mentioned throughout scripture, including with kings Saul (1 Samuel 9), David (1 Samuel 16), and Solomon (1 Chronicles 29). The commentary also refers us to Luke 4:18 and how Jesus quotes the messianic prophecy from Isaiah 61:1. Believers are also referred to as anointed - 1 John 2:20.  The commentary wraps up by observing how too often those who seek success focus on the secular aspects of how to get ahead, but don't seek "the one thing we need more than anything else if we are ever to" not only serve God effectively, but also to live successfully.  "We need God's anointing-His blessing and power.  That is His consecration to serve Him."

Comment and discuss this post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has equipped me to serve, and I have seen Your hand at work moving in the lives of others as You worked in me to serve others - thank You for the blessings to experience this.  Yet I am not deserving of how You have blessed me in this way and in all the ways You bless me.  I have sin - every day - please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul,  and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you....For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands[.]

Leviticus 8

Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you....For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands[.] 1 Timothy 4:14, 2 Timothy 1:6

This morning, I continued my study of Leviticus using the Christ-Centered Exposition series commentary for this book - starting chapter eight - Are You Ready to Serve - covering Leviticus 8:1-8:36, looking specifically at the theme - Make a Public Declaration to Serve.  Here, the commentary points out how Leviticus 1-7 consist of the laws that comprise the sacrificial system, and Leviticus 8-10 focus on the priests that lead the sacrificial system.  In Leviticus 8, the commentary provides for two key takeaways: (1) "in Christ, God has eliminated the need for mediation by a human priest; (2) all followers of Jesus are priests."  Regarding the first takeaway, the commentary emphasizes what believers should already understand: we have "immediate access to the presence of God....[and] the old covenant priesthood [is] obsolete."  We are urged to refer to Hebrews 4:16, 9:15, 12:24, and 1 Timothy 2:5 as scriptural basis for this key takeaway. For the second takeaway, we are urged to refer to a number of scriptural examples, including 1 Peter 2:9. In the context of the theme for today Make a Public Declaration to Serve, the commentary looks at v8:6,13, and 24 and how the whole Israelite congregation gathered for the public consecration of Aaron and his sons for service in the priesthood.  The commentary wraps by describing how the laying of hands on the sacrificial offering here in Leviticus 8 is carried forward into the New Testament (and the current church) as described in Acts 13:1-3 and 1 Timothy 4:14 and 2 Timothy 1:6 where this practice is used with elected church leaders.

Comment and discuss this post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and who has blessed with amazing church leaders where I have seen the examples of how church practices such as the laying of hands are carried forward from Leviticus and other places in scripture to current day - all as a demonstration of reverence for God and how He desires us to worship and serve Him.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of how You have blessed me with such amazing leaders and how You have blessed me in other countless ways.  My sin is great - rashness, impatience, quick to talk and slow to listen, etc.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.