February 21 - Nº 52 Exodus 28 – 29; 39:1-31; Leviticus 8 – 10

When God gave Moses the instructions for the Tabernacle, He also gave him orders to set apart a special group of people called the Priests. They were responsible to help the Israelites maintain a faithful relationship with God. Their assignment was to lead the people in worship and assist them in offering sacrifices for their sins.
Aaron, Moses’ brother, was chosen as the High Priest. His four sons were placed under his authority to help him serve. The descendants of Levi were soon added to the priesthood (see #53 - February 22). They were placed in charge of moving the Tabernacle and everything in it whenever the nation continued on their journey to the land God had promised them (see #55 - February 24). God also gave Moses’ instructions on how to make the garments that Aaron and his sons would wear. There were to bring dignity and honor to the priesthood and distinguish them from the rest of the Hebrews.
After the Tabernacle was completely set up, everyone gathered for a special ceremony that lasted seven days. The purpose of the ceremony was to install the High Priest and his sons and to set them apart as the spiritual leaders of Israel. Moses conducted the ceremony. He dedicated the Tabernacle and offered sacrifices. Then he anointed the new priests.
Finally on the eighth day, it was time for Aaron and his sons to take over the priestly responsibilities. After preparing one more sacrifice on the bronze altar in the courtyard, Moses and Aaron went inside the Tabernacle together. When they came out, the glory of the Lord appeared, and fire came down from heaven. It consumed the sacrifice on the altar. God was demonstrating that He was pleased with everything His people had done.
However, it wasn’t long before they did something that did not, please Him!
Each of the priests had been given a special brass bowl called a censer. These censers were to be used to transport the “holy” fire that God had just sent from heaven. Coals from this fire were to be kept continually burning and used to light any fires needed for sacrifices. These same coals were to be taken from the bronze altar in the courtyard to offer incense on the altar inside the Tabernacle.
But instead of using embers from the “holy” fire that God had sent, Aaron’s two oldest sons, Nadab and Abihu, chose to fill their censors with coals from a different fire. This was in direct disobedience to God’s instructions. Because they chose to offer “unholy” fire in God’s holy presence, the fire consumed them. And they were both killed instantly!
God sent this message through Moses: “Everyone who comes into my presence must respect that I am holy—no sin can enter my presence. My holiness must be honored.”
Aaron's two younger sons, Eleazar and Ithamar, became the new priests and served alongside their father.
Just over one year after they left Egypt, God’s cloud that had protected them during their escape; that had guided them on their journey to Mount Sinai; and was now hovering over the Tabernacle, began to move. The Israelites were finally ready to continue their journey to the land God had promised them.

Do you have a healthy respect for God’s holiness? Or do you sometimes try to get away with things that He calls sin? Such actions lead to guilt and hinder our fellowship with Him. Living within His standards frees us up from regret and the consequences attached to making sinful choices.

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