Caused to Worship – From Revelation to Response

“Moses and Aaron then went into the Tent of Meeting. When they came out, they blessed the people; and the glory of the Lord appeared to all the people.

“Fire came out from the presence of the Lord and consumed the burnt offering and the fat portions on the altar. And when all the people saw it, they shouted for joy and fell facedown.”

~Leviticus 9:23-24 (NIV).

These are possibly the most important verses in Leviticus. They certainly provide a perfect end to the ninth chapter. The people of Israel — the entire house — are utterly flabbergasted at the show of power from the Presence of the Lord.

What is worship if not cognisance of the Presence of God; the notice of holy revelation and the corresponding response?

Even better, it’s shown, God accepted the sacrificial offering — in effect, anointing the priestly ministry — by consuming it!

A More Contemporary ‘Offering’

What sacrifices to be consumed are we offering to God?

Sure, it’s our offering of instinctive praise and thankfulness and enthralled awe; but this can only occur in the truest sense as we feel our way to God’s inimitable Presence.

Leviticus is about worshipping a holy God and living a holy life.

And yet, living a holy life is worship. It is practicing the fear of the Lord — his Presence indwelt within our minds and hearts to such an extent we live in a constant humbled awe.

This sense of worship draws us to a fervent discipleship — to follow Jesus. It resonates with our fellowship as we begin to place others before ourselves; and hence the same for our ministry and evangelism work. All five purposes of our Christianity are wrapped up fundamentally in worship.

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Upon holy revelation what more can we do but respond?

Is God not revealed to those who must worship?

We’re caused to worship — by ceremony, tradition and lifestyle — out of what God does, not from what we do.

Ours is to respond; to offer that which may be consumed, acceptably.

© 2011 S. J. Wickham.