Why is it important to follow God's instructions for worship as seen in Leviticus 17:6? Setting the Scene Leviticus 17:6: “The priest is to sprinkle the blood on the altar of the LORD at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting and burn the fat as a pleasing aroma to the LORD.” Why God’s Detailed Instructions Matter • God’s holiness is non-negotiable – Leviticus 11:44 reminds, “Be holy, for I am holy.” Precise worship safeguards that holiness. • Obedience is better than innovation – 1 Samuel 15:22: “To obey is better than sacrifice.” God values submission over creativity when approaching Him. • Blood and fat highlight atonement and devotion – Hebrews 9:22: “Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.” – The fat, the best portion, symbolizes total consecration (Leviticus 3:16). • Clear boundaries prevent idolatry – Leviticus 17:7 forbids sacrificing “to goat demons.” God’s pattern protects hearts from false worship. • Corporate unity depends on shared practice – Following one set of commands unifies Israel and today’s church around a single standard (Ephesians 4:3-6). What We Learn for Worship Today • God sets the terms of relationship; we respond, not negotiate. • Physical acts (then) and spiritual sacrifices (now) both flow from the same principle—honor God’s word precisely (Romans 12:1; 1 Peter 2:5). • Every detail in the tabernacle points to Christ, the once-for-all sacrifice (Hebrews 10:1-14). Respecting the pattern keeps the gospel clear. Practical Ways to Align Our Worship 1. Read Scripture before shaping services—let God speak first. 2. Sing lyrics that mirror biblical truth rather than personal preference (Colossians 3:16). 3. Prioritize the Lord’s Table and baptism as Christ commanded (Matthew 28:19-20; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26). 4. Guard purity—both morally and doctrinally—so the “pleasing aroma” rises from hearts and lives (2 Corinthians 2:15-16). 5. Invite accountability; like priests in Leviticus, leaders today should model careful obedience (1 Timothy 4:16). Scriptures to Remember • Exodus 25:40 – “See that you make them according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.” • John 4:24 – “God is Spirit, and His worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth.” • Hebrews 13:15 – “Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that confess His name.” Honoring God’s instructions in worship, just as Leviticus 17:6 prescribes, keeps our focus on His holiness, our need for atonement, and the sufficiency of Christ. |
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