Leviticus 8-9  Everything was ready.. the tabernacle finished and furnished; the high priest's and other priest's garments prepared.  Aaron and his sons were now set apart  to be consecrated for the work that the Lord commanded them to do. 

Moses followed closely all the commands that the Lord gave him..  Aaron and his sons were washed. They were clothed in the sacred garments. They offered the sin offering and the burnt offering for their atonement.  Moses anointed the tabernacle and the priests.  Aaron and his sons spent 7 days in the tabernacle to complete their ordination.. "just as the Lord commanded.. " 

On the eighth day Aaron started his new job.. The whole congregation was brought before the tabernacle and a sin offering and a burnt offering, along with a grain offering was presented before the Lord on behalf of all the people of Israel. "And Moses said, 'This is the thing which the Lord has commanded you to do, that the glory of the Lord may appear to you.' " ( 9:6)

Everything was done exactly to the Lord's commands.  When it was all complete, Aaron "lifted up his hands towards the people and blessed them..  Moses and Aaron went together into the tabernacle and when they came out they gave another blessing and " the glory of the Lord appeared to all the people. "

"Then fire came out from before the Lord and consumed the burnt offering and the portions of fat on the altar; and when all the people saw it, they shouted and fell on their faces." (9:24)

We think about the law and the sacrifices that the people of Israel were commanded to do.. and frankly.. we are glad we do not have to do this anymore..  but, just think about the amazing privilege that they had.. to see..  with their physical eyes..  the "glory of the Lord" and the fire that just came and consumed the offerings.  Don't we long to see the glory of the Lord in such a way?   Sometimes we get just a glimpse.. while we worship together with our church family.. but nothing close to what these Israelites saw that day.  

And yet.. they stayed stubborn, complaining, and rebellious. It seems impossible that they could ever want anything.. or any other idol.. after experiencing such a profound meeting with the Almighty God! But, we know they did. 

And what about us?  Are we any different?  Paul wrote this in 2 Corinthians 3:18  "But we all, with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit." We are given and opportunity to see God's glory in God's people, aren't we ?

  As we learn from the book of Hebrews.. we have a greater High Priest.. we have a greater covenant.. and we have a greater sacrifice.  We can draw near.. not to a tent..but to a Savior.  We "enter the holy place" instead of standing at the door.  We have  a new and living way.. through the blood and flesh of Jesus Christ.  Our hearts are "sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water." (Hebrews 10:19-22)  We have a living hope.  We have the Spirit of God within us..  so "Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful." (v23)

Father in heaven, all glorious above.. keep us in the presence of Your glory.. continue to sanctify us through and through.. transforming us from "glory to glory".. to be the reflection of Jesus our Lord. Let Your will be done.. today.. in us we pray.. In His wonderful name. Amen.