Your Priest

Read Exodus 29-31:11 & 31:18
 
Exodus 29:43-46 “I will meet the people of Israel there, in the place made holy by my glorious presence. 44 Yes, I will consecrate the Tabernacle and the altar, and I will consecrate Aaron and his sons to serve me as priests. 45 Then I will live among the people of Israel and be their God, 46 and they will know that I am the Lord their God. I am the one who brought them out of the land of Egypt, so that I could live among them. I am the Lord their God.”
 
THERE’s a universe of competition for our devotion and love. God knew his chosen people would be tempted daily to worship idols, to ignore his law and to live in their own desires.
   The amazing thing, though, is that God would work through their desires to go their own way. He tells Israel he will come personally come into their lives. He began to move toward this personal relationship when he formed Israel to be his people. El Shaddai loved Israel. God’s will was for each child of his covenant with Abraham to center their love on him.
   A love relationship requires communication, doesn’t it? Moses is his spokesman now. To continue to speak to Israel, HE IS will form the office of priests. Aaron and his sons will be the firsts. They will be God’s direct ambassadors to embody the Father’s love and law. God designed the priestly function to communicate with Israel daily through the sacrifices, worship and feasts. In these ways, Israel would remember each day they belonged to LORD God Almighty, who delivered them from Egypt. Devoted priests would represent Israel to the Holy God. They would know and teach his law, intercede for Israel to repent of Israel’s sins, receive God’s forgiveness, praise God’s goodness and follow God’s decrees.
   This priest-based communication was a view of our High Priest, Jesus Christ. Jesus Son fulfilled God’s law. He prayed for his church in John 17. In heaven now Jesus intercedes for us. Romans 8:34 Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died — more than that, who was raised to life — is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Jesus fulfilled the priestly sacrifices on the altar of the cross. In Jesus, our sins are forgiven. Through Jesus we know God’s law and decrees. Because of Jesus’ priestly role, we have a clear, direct communication with God. We need no other priest. Jesus, too, is the Living Word. The Bible is God’s very intimate love connection with you. Jesus’ life on earth unveils the Holy Trinity’s high, wide, long and deep love for a world who strives mightily against God.
   We rejoice, too, the Holy Spirit also guides us to be God’s people. Romans 8:27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will.
   Think of it! The Holy Trinity communicates his desire to very personally tabernacle – to dwell – with you. God in three persons, has called you to the altar oof repentance for the forgiveness of your sins. Respond with a joyful spirit to worship him. Live in his laws and decrees. Rejoice in his love as you know the Spirit and Son pray to the Father for you and with you. Live in faith to listen, to talk with and to love God.  
  
Deuteronomy 4:36 He let you hear his voice from heaven so he could instruct you. He let you see his great fire here on earth so he could speak to you from it.