Leviticus 9:22–24 is the climax of chapters 1–10. In Exodus 40:35 we saw that, though God now dwelt with his people, Moses could not enter the presence of God. This crisis is now resolved thanks to God’s provision of sacrifices (and ultimately the sacrifice of Christ to which these other sacrifices pointed). Now Moses and Aaron are able to enter the tabernacle and come out alive! Not only do they come out alive, but they come out with a blessing from God for the people. The people are then confronted by the glory of the Lord and they also live to tell the tale. When fire comes out from the presence of the Lord, we might have expected it to consume the people. But instead the fire consumes the sacrifice. And, of course, this is precisely the point of the sacrifices. They are to be consumed in the place of the people, so that the people can be blessed. It is no wonder then that when “all the people saw it, they shouted for joy and fell facedown”. How much more then should we rejoice! We know that Christ, the ultimate sacrifice, in fulfilment of this picture, was consumed by God’s judgement so that we can be blessed. As a result, we have access to the glory of God and, if we are to be consumed, it will be by God’s zealous love not his fiery judgement. You are no longer shut out from God’s presence. You are no longer under condemnation. Through Christ you may enter the presence of God to find favour and joy.
As God to draw you closer and praise him for what he has done to give you access to his presence.
Read Leviticus 9
