How does Leviticus 7:5 illustrate the importance of obedience in worship practices? Scripture focus “Then the priest shall burn them on the altar as an offering made by fire to the LORD; it is a guilt offering.” (Leviticus 7:5) Setting the scene • Leviticus 7 explains God’s precise regulations for the guilt (or trespass) offering. • Verse 5 zeroes in on one task: the priest must burn the specified portions “on the altar” and in no other way. • Nothing is left to personal preference; every step is commanded. Key observations from the verse 1. A specific person — “the priest” — is named. • Only those appointed by God may handle the sacrifice (cf. Numbers 16:40). 2. A specific action — “burn them on the altar” — is required. • Partial obedience (e.g., burning elsewhere) would nullify the offering. 3. A specific purpose — “an offering made by fire to the LORD” — directs the act. • Worship is God-centered, not human-centered. 4. A specific category — “it is a guilt offering” — defines the sacrifice. • The worshiper approaches God on the terms He sets for atonement. Worship begins with hearing and doing • God’s instructions are not suggestions. Worship that pleases Him flows from obedience (1 Samuel 15:22). • Obedience safeguards worship from human innovation that can lead to judgment (Leviticus 10:1–2; Nadab and Abihu). • Jesus affirms the principle: “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments” (John 14:15). The cost of disregarding detail • When Saul spared King Agag and the best livestock, his selective obedience cost him the kingdom (1 Samuel 15). • Uzzah’s well-intentioned but unauthorized touch of the ark cost him his life (2 Samuel 6:6–7). • These accounts echo Leviticus 7:5: worship must follow God’s pattern exactly. Christ, our perfect guilt offering • Every guilt offering in Leviticus points ahead to Christ, “who offered Himself without blemish to God” (Hebrews 9:14). • Jesus obeyed flawlessly (Philippians 2:8), fulfilling what Leviticus foreshadowed and proving that obedience is inseparable from true worship. Practical takeaways • Treat God’s Word as final authority; do not edit His commands to fit culture or convenience. • Approach gathered worship reverently, ensuring songs, prayers, and ordinances align with Scripture. • Confess and forsake any area of partial obedience; incomplete compliance is disobedience. • Let gratitude for Christ’s perfect obedience motivate faithful obedience in everyday life (Romans 12:1). |
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