Title: When Glory Falls
Scripture reading: Leviticus 9:22-24
“After that, Aaron raised his hands toward the people and blessed them. Then, after presenting the sin offering, the burnt offering, and the peace offering, he stepped down from the altar. Then Moses and Aaron went into the Tabernacle, and when they came back out, they blessed the people again, and the glory of the Lord appeared to the whole community. Fire blazed forth from the Lord’s presence and consumed the burnt offering and the fat on the altar. When the people saw this, they shouted with joy and fell face down on the ground.”
The glory of God is one of the most profound themes in the Bible: mysterious, powerful, and central to understanding God’s character and presence.
It was tangible, felt and enjoyed by God’s people.
Exodus 40:34 says, ‘Then the cloud covered the Tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.’
The Hebrew word for ‘glory’ is ‘Kavod’ which means weight, heaviness, honor, majesty.
The Greek word for ‘glory’ is ‘Doxa’ which means splendor, radiance, reputation, excellence.
It is because of this glory that we are being transformed. 2 Corinthians 3:18 says, ‘We are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another.’
- Brazen Altar
Aaron had just completed his first official sacrifices as high priest.
The brazen altar is also known as the altar of burnt offering. The brazen altar was a central feature of the Tabernacle and later the Temple. The brazen altar was big.
- Made of acacia wood overlaid with bronze
- Horns on its four corners
- Rings to hold the two poles
The brazen altar was a place of atonement for sin.
It was big because Aaron had to step down from the brazen altar after the sacrifices. This may also refer to the conclusion of his priestly duties: sin is forgiven, worship is accepted, fellowship is restored.
Leviticus 6:8-9 says, ‘Then the Lord said to Moses, “Give Aaron and his sons the following instructions regarding the burnt offering.’
The burnt offering must be left on top of the altar until the next morning, and the fire on the altar must be kept burning all night.
This meant the altar fire was never to go out – it was a symbol of ongoing devotion, and of God’s continual presence.
The clearing of ashes by Aaron and his sons on the brazen altar holds deep spiritual and symbolic significance. We cannot live off past devotion or obedience.
Ashes were cleared every day. Sins are confessed and forsaken every day.
Leviticus 9:6 ‘This is what the Lord has commanded you to do so that the glory of the Lord may appear to you.’
The brazen altar symbolized a rhythmic cultivation of repentance, devotion, and obedience in life.
- The Priestly role
Aaron had just completed his first official sacrifices and He blesses the people, likely using the priestly blessing found in Number 6:24-26.
The Lord bless thee, and keep thee:
25 The Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee:
26 The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee and give thee peace.
And the glory came to authenticate this blessing.
The bible says, ‘Moses and Aaron went into the tent of meeting.’ They likely went in to pray or receive further instruction from God.
When they came out, they blessed the people again.
Exodus 40:34-35, ‘Then a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. And Moses could not enter the tent of the congregation, because the cloud abode thereon, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.’
What are the examples of priestly role today that applies to us as royal priesthood?
- For Pastors and church leaders it is to teach God’s word, lead in prayer, provide spiritual counsel and shepherd the congregation.
- For Christian parents it is to teacher their children about God, pray with them, model righteousness.
- For Christian in the market place, it is to represent Christ through integrity and compassion, offering godly wisdom and encouragement and praying for coworkers.
- This is the second ingredient that will cause God’s glory to fall. When you have performed your priestly role.
- Heavenly Fire confirms God’s glory
Leviticus 9:24 ‘And the glory of the appeared to the whole community. Fire blazed forth from the Lord’s presence and consumed the burnt offering the fat on the altar.’
This fire came down from heaven: supernatural.
What happens when the fire falls?
- God confirms His presence.
- God accepts our offering.
- God confirms our priesthood.
- God transforms our hearts.
- Our response is deep, reverent worship.
Where is the fire today?
It is very frightening when Christianity becomes a routine religion. Isaiah 29:13 says, ‘These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.’
When the heavenly fire falls, it results in true religion.
There is such a thing as heavenly fire as demonstrated clearly in the tongues of fire 2000 years ago. Acts 2:3 ‘And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them.’
What are the contemporary examples of heavenly fire (tongues of fire) that confirmed the glory of God
In conclusion, Aaron was the great High Priest who performed his duty to bring the glory of God down. He had to offer a burnt offering of an animal. But today we have Jesus who is our greater High Priest. He is not only our greater High Priest, but he is the perfect sacrifice at the brazen altar, which God accepted. At the cross, where he became the sacrifice, fire did not fall from heaven. But the veil tore, showing God presence is now open to all who believe. Because Jesus became the perfect sacrifice, God responded to His obedient worship with His glory, presence and power. This was shown in the book of Acts. We must understand what Jesus had done to make possible for the glory of God to , ‘I have accepted your sacrifice and I am here. We only need to come to God, surrender our lives to Him and then suddenly like the Day of Pentecost, fire falls from heaven, and the people fall on their faces. Leviticus is not just an ancient history. It is a picture of what God wants today. A worship that invites His glory.
