Why is obedience to God's instructions crucial, as demonstrated in Leviticus 8:15? The Scene at the Altar “Moses slaughtered the bull, took some of the blood, and with his finger put it on the horns of the altar on every side, purifying the altar. And he poured out the rest of the blood at the base of the altar and consecrated it, to make atonement for it.” (Leviticus 8:15) The Heartbeat of Obedience • Every gesture in this verse mirrors instructions previously given in Exodus 29:12. • Moses neither added to nor subtracted from God’s word; he simply did “just as the LORD had commanded” (Leviticus 8:9, 13, 17, 29, 36). • The altar could not serve its purpose until God’s precise pattern was honored. Why Obedience Is Crucial • It safeguards God’s holiness – “For I am the LORD your God; consecrate yourselves…be holy, for I am holy.” (Leviticus 11:44–45) • It opens the way for atonement – Without the blood placed exactly where God required, cleansing would be incomplete. • It welcomes God’s presence – “I will dwell among the Israelites and be their God.” (Exodus 29:45) • It turns promise into experience – “If you carefully follow My statutes…I will give you rain in its season.” (Leviticus 26:3–4) • It spares us from judgment – Nadab and Abihu altered the pattern and “fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed them.” (Leviticus 10:1–2) • It expresses love for God – “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.” (John 14:15) • It aligns us with Christ’s perfect obedience – “He humbled Himself and became obedient to death—yes, death on a cross.” (Philippians 2:8) Obedience Echoes Across Scripture • 1 Samuel 15:22—“To obey is better than sacrifice.” • Deuteronomy 28:1–2—Blessings hinge on “diligently obeying the voice of the LORD.” • James 1:22—“Be doers of the word, and not hearers only.” • Romans 12:1—True worship offers our bodies “as a living sacrifice,” the New-Covenant echo of Leviticus 8:15. Bringing Leviticus 8:15 Home Today • Start where Moses started—listen first, act second. • Measure choices against Scripture, not feelings or trends. • Treat every arena of life—work, family, church—as an altar to be purified by obedience. • Expect God’s nearness and blessing when His pattern governs your steps. |
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