Seven Things the LORD Hates

Proverbs 6:16-19 – “These six things the Lord hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him:17 A proud look, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood,18 A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that are swift in running to evil,19 A false witness who speaks lies, And one who sows discord among brethren.”

When you love someone you don’t like to see or make him or her angry. Your desire is that they experience love and things pleasing to them, joy. That is why the above verses are so important for us to consider. God inspired the Biblical writer to indicate seven things that God hates and views as an abomination. These words are a warning to us. In fact you’d be hard-pressed to find language stronger than that used in these verses to indicate God’s revulsion and displeasure with these seven things.

The word “hates” is translated from the Hebrew term SANE’ (Strong’s # 8130 - saw·nay) which occurs 146 times in the Old Testament being translated “hate” 136 times, “enemies” three times, “enemy” twice, “foes” once, “hateful” once, and translated miscellaneously three times. Hatred is a strong emotion. In other words, these seven things put a person on the wrong side of God and position them against Him as an enemy. Since God is all-powerful, it isn’t too good of an idea for anyone to take up sides against Him. Look at Satan and what his rebellion against God got him! But in fact, those who practice these seven things are actually taking up sides with Satan who is working to undermine God’s work at every turn and in every way.

The other word used to describe God’s reaction to the seven things in Proverbs 6 is “abomination.” “Abomination” is translated from the Hebrew term TOWEBAH (Strong’s # 8441 - tow`ebah, to`ebah /to·ay·baw/) which occurs 117 times in the Old Testament being translated as “abomination” 113 times, “abominable thing” twice, and “abominable” twice. This word is used to describe that which is, “a disgusting thing, abomination, abominable.” One Bible teacher defined this word by saying it refers to something done that would cause God to want to bomb-the-nation of the one doing it.

When you love someone you wouldn’t want to do anything that would cause you to become as an enemy in their eyes. When you love someone you wouldn’t want to do anything that disgusts him or her or is abominable to him or her. Therefore, those who love God should pay particular attention to the seven things mentioned in these verses. Unfortunately, believers at times are caught up in their flesh and indulge in some of the things that God attributes to His enemies and that He finds disgusting and abominable. This should not be! What is it that people do that causes God to see them as an enemy and disgusts Him? There are seven things mentioned here. Let’s consider each of them.

1. A proud look –

The Bible is clear on this; God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble (Proverbs 3:34; James 4:6; 1 Peter 5:5). Pride is the first sin committed by Satan against God (Isaiah 14; Ezekiel 28). The word “proud” comes from the Hebrew term ROOM (Strong’s # 7311 ruwm /room/) which occurs 194 times in the Old Testament and is translated, “up,” as in lift up, or hold up. The idea is to present yourself as higher, better in some way than others. This is seen in the way the word is translated. “Proud” is translated “up” as “(lift”, “hold”, “etc … )” 63 times, “exalt” 47 times, “high” 25 times, “offer” 13 times, “give” five times, “heave” three times, “extol” three times, “lofty” three times, “take” three times, “tall” three times, “higher” twice, and translated miscellaneously 24 times. The NIV translation of this verse translates it as, “haughty eyes.” You can communicate a lot with the eyes. Someone has said the eyes are the windows into a person’s heart. You can communicate happiness, approval, concern, attention and caring, even love with your eyes. You can also communicate disdain, lust, evil intent and yes, pride, with your eyes.

A “proud look” therefore, would be a facial expression that assumes superiority, self-exaltation, or minimizing another person. What is interesting is that this first abominable thing is wordless. The first thing mentioned here as hated by the Lord is something that can be conveyed without words. God is so vigilant and astute and omniscient in His observations that He even notes the facial expressions and countenance of people. And He hates it when people have a proud look! God wants us to be humble, not proud, selfless, not self-serving. God tells us not to think more highly of ourselves than we ought to, not to overvalue ourselves (Romans 12:3). God wants us to be humble like Jesus (Matthew 5:3; Mark 10:45; Philippians 2:1-11).

2. A lying tongue –

Satan is the father of lies and loves to draw people into lying in any way (John 8:44). “A lying tongue,” is simply a person who speaks in falsehoods. The word “lying” comes from the Hebrew word SHEQUER (Strong’s # 8267 - sheqer /sheh·ker/) and occurs 113 times in the Old Testament being translated as “lie” 28 times, “lying” 21 times, “false” 20 times, “falsehood” 13 times, “falsely” 13 times, “vain” five times, “wrongfully” four times, “deceitful” twice, “deceit” once, “liar” once, and translated miscellaneously five times. The idea of this word is to deceive or betray the truth of a matter, go against the truth. This would include bending the truth or speaking in half-truths. You know, the older you get the more glorious your past seems to become as you relate to others. A high school benchwarmer in a sport becomes someone who was good and gifted as an athlete but didn’t get along with the coach so they weren’t allowed to play. Fishes caught, figures fought and mirrored seem just a little bit more fantastic as the years go by. Sometimes the truth can be shared in destructive ways to injure and embarrass. But God wants us to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15). God wants our words to be seasoned with grace not lies; a lying tongue quenches the Spirit (Ephesians 4:29-31). God wants us to speak with kindness and tenderheartedness remembering His grace in Christ given to us (Ephesians 4:32; Colossians 4:6). Love covers a multitude of sin; it doesn’t look to dig up sin where grace should be found (1 Peter 4:8).

3. Hands that shed innocent blood –

We can consider the shedding of innocent blood of adults, but the millions upon millions of unborn babies come to mind as the most severe breach in considering this hateful thing. The abortuaries of modern day America have exterminated far more victims than the ovens of the holocaust. How it must disgust God to see the womb turned into a cold executioner’s altar! The Lord forms every child in the womb (Psalm 139:13-16). He has a plan for every little one (Jeremiah 1:5). He cares for the innocent little ones (Exodus 21:22-25; Psalm 82:3-4; 127:3). God hates the person whose hands shed innocent blood!

4. A heart that devises wicked plans –

The word “heart” refers to the innermost being of a person (LEB Strong’s 3820), “Devises” (Hebrew KHAWRASH – Strong’s # 2790 - khaw-rash’) means “to scratch, to engrave, plow; to fabricate; to devise (in a bad sense).” The word “wicked” comes from the Hebrew term AWVEN (Strong’s # 205 - ’aven /aw·ven/) and interestingly comes from a root word meaning, “to pant” as one who exerts themselves in an effort that is pointless in regard to the Lord’s will. It occurs 78 times in the Old Testament being translated as “iniquity” 47 times, “wicked(ness)” eight times, “vanity” six times, “affliction” three times, “mischief” three times, “unrighteous” twice, “evil” once, “false” once, “idol” once, “mourners” once, “mourning” once, “nought” once, “sorrow” once, “unjust” once, and “vain” once. The word “wicked” means, “trouble, wickedness, sorrow, idolatry, trouble of iniquity, wickedness.” Therefore, the idea here is someone who digs up trouble and won’t let an offense or situation go. This is also someone who by silence and the willful ignoring of the truth manipulates a situation to their own devices. Such a person has a selective memory when conveying an account of a story. When they share about something they put a spin on things that present them in a favorable light and others in a less than favorable light.

Interestingly, the context of Proverbs 6:16-19 is preceded by an apt description of one whose heart devises wicked plans:

• Proverbs 6:12-15 – “A worthless person, a wicked man, Walks with a perverse mouth;13 He winks with his eyes, He shuffles his feet, He points with his fingers;14 Perversity is in his heart, He devises evil continually, He sows discord.15 Therefore his calamity shall come suddenly; Suddenly he shall be broken without remedy.”

Notice the connection with being “worthless” and being “wicked.” These verses pretty much say it all and we can see why God hates and abhors such things.

5. Feet that are swift in running to evil –

We might translate this as, “A person who sprints to do evil things.” This is descriptive of the person who enjoys or jumps at the opportunity to be involved in evil or entertain something that is evil like gossip or slander. The word “evil” comes from the Hebrew word RA’ (Strong’s # 7451 – rah) which means, “bad; evil; adversity, affliction, bad, calamity, displease (-ure), distress, evil, harm, heavy, hurt (-ful), ill (favoured), mischief (-vous), misery, naught (-ty), noisome, not please, sad (-ly), sore, sorrow, trouble, vex, wicked (-ly, -ness, one), worse (-st), wretchedness, wrong.” This is the person who runs to bring problems to others, who loves to distress and afflict other people. They enjoy hurting someone for whatever reason. God hates it when people take pleasure in hurting others.

6. A false witness who speaks lies –

The word “false” here is the same word translated “lying” in Proverbs 6:17 (Strong’s # 8267). A “witness” (Strong’s #5707) is someone who gives evidences, testifies or shares information about someone. The word “lies” (Hebrew KAZAB – Strong’s # 3577 kaw-zawb’) means, “ falsehood; untruth; deceitful, false, liar, lie, lying.” Those who manipulate the truth or out and out lie are an abomination to the Lord.

7. And one who sows discord among brethren -

The word “discord” comes from the Hebrew MEDAWN (Strong’s # 4090 - mâdan /med·awn/) and occurs only three times in the Old Testament and is translated, as “discord” once, “strife” once, and “variant” once. This word means, “strife, contention.” Jesus said the one who sows peace would be blessed, and the opposite is also true, there are all kinds of negative consequences for those who sow evil and discord (Matthew 5:9).

This is the crowning evil that God hates because it strikes at the heart of what God is trying to build and how He is trying to work in the world. God’s desire is to save as many of the lost as possible (2 Peter 3:9). God’s tools to accomplish this are Israel and the Church. God raised up Israel to be a light to the Gentiles (Isaiah 43:10-12; 44:8, 21). Jesus bled and died to birth the church (Ephesians 5:25-27). The Father looks at Israel as His wife (see Hosea). Jesus looks at the Church as His bride. And yet, people think nothing of slandering those who make up the wife and the bride of God. How do you feel when someone speaks against your spouse? Doesn’t that irk you? Doesn’t that cause you to become defensive and protective of your spouse? Doesn’t that anger you? Isn’t it abhorrent to you? Aren’t you going to defend their honor, their integrity, their reputation? If you feel and react like that, how do you think God is going to feel and react when someone attacks members of the flock of God? God hates the one who sows discord among His people, He abhors it (Psalm 5:11; 11; 46; 121; 105:15; John 17:15; Romans 12:19).

Conclusion

J. Vernon McGee commented:

There are multitudes of folk sowing discord, and they are not all politically motivated. They are in your neighborhood, and chances are they are in your church. You may even have one in your home, and there is a possibility that he even may be sitting where you sit. My friend, causing trouble between family members or brothers in Christ or fellow workers is something that God hates.

This list of seven sins is like a mirror. We look into it, and we squirm because we see ourselves. May I ask you to take a good look at yourself in this mirror of the Word of God. After you and I see ourselves as we really are, let us go to God and make a confession of these things. Let us be honest with Him and ask Him for His cleansing. ^[1]

As you receive this study I pray you do so with ears to hear what the Spirit has to say and that you haven’t been a part of any of these seven things which reap the hate and abhorrence of God. If you look at these seven things and the Spirit convicts you, all is not lost. In Christ there is forgiveness. What must a person do to be forgiven of these things?

1.) Recognize and admit your sin, culpability (responsibility) and guilt. Be honest with God and admit where you’ve sinned against Him and others (all of our sin is ultimately against Him). Sins such as these are a great hindrance to our walk with the Lord (Psalm 66:18; Isaiah 59:2). They need to be dealt with immediately.

2.) Confess your sin, culpability and guilt before God. God’s word tells us that if we confess our sin to Him He is faithful and just to forgive our sin and cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). Trust Jesus cross work by faith and receive God’s forgiveness (Romans 8:1f.; 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 John 1:7).

3.) Repent, turn from your sin and commit yourself to God to not repeat your sin. Turn yourself over to the Holy Spirit who will help you be more than a conqueror over these things (Romans 8).

Of the 34 times the word “repent” occurs in the Bible, I find it interesting that nearly a third of these occurrences (10) occur in the last book of the Bible Revelation and 60% of these ten occur in Jesus words to the seven churches in Revelation 2-3. These seven abhorrent things we’ve seen in Proverbs are likely to surface in a full blown rash in the End Times (Times in which I believe we are living right now). Read what Paul was inspired to write about the last days:

· 1 Timothy 4:1-2 – “Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons,2 speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron,”

· 2 Timothy 3:1-7 – “But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come:2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good,4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!6 For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts,7 always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.”

As we look at these verses and compare them with Proverbs 6:16-19 we see some striking similarities. Deceiving spirits will be heeded and people will be moved to speak lies in hypocrisy and do so with total insensitivity to the Spirit (1 Timothy 4:1-2). Self-love, pride, lack of love, slander, despisers of good, traitors, haughty, hypocrisy will flourish too (2 Timothy 3:1-7). These passages go hand in hand. What makes these similarities frightful is that we see them flourishing in our world today. And what makes them even the more tragic is that we see them oftentimes in the church, amongst believers!

When Paul gave his farewell to the Ephesians he warned them by saying to the leaders and people:

• Acts 20:26-32 - “Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men.27 “For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God.28 “Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.29 “For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock.30 “Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves.31 “Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears.32 “So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.”

As we move closer and closer to the End Times culmination, we need to beware of Satan’s schemes. He comes not as an angel of darkness but as an angel of light. (2 Corinthians 11:11-15). And as God’s perfect plan becomes more and more inevitable, Satan is going to turn up his attack. The seven things God hates, Satan loves! Remember that; and he loves nothing better than to trick, deceive and lure God’s people (those who should be blessing and praising God) into indulging in these seven hateful things. We need to put on the armor of God and proceed prayerfully in the Spirit (Ephesians 6:10-18).

God forgive us where we have faltered and may God help us to speak the truth in love. May our words always be seasoned with His grace, hope and love. May we always hold the name of Jesus in highest regard in thought, word, and deed. Dear brother and sister in Christ, may none of these things be seen, heard or thought amongst us and may we lovingly repent of them if they are. May we live in a way that brings joy to the heart of God, not hate and abhorrence. God bless you all.

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^[1]McGee, J. V. 1997, c1981. Thru the Bible commentary. Based on the Thru the Bible radio program. (electronic ed.) (Pr 6:19). Thomas Nelson: Nashville

The Consequence of No Consecration

Here we have the tragic improper service of God that results in the death of two of Aaron’s sons. The service we see here results in death and a departure from the presence of the Lord. What characterizes the service that leads to death and a departure from the presence of the Lord?

First, the service that leads to death and a departure from the presence of the Lord is “profane” (10:1).

Leviticus 10:1 - Then Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, each took his censer and put fire in it, put incense on it, and offered profane fire before the Lord, which He had not commanded them.

Aaron’s sons offered “profane” fire before the Lord. This verse tells us a number of things. First, the word “profane” (Heb.‏ָ zār) means strange, different, unlawful. It says at the end of verse one that what they offered was something that, “He had not commanded them.” They did not care enough or revere God enough to pay attention to His instructions. They were casual in their attention to the word of the Lord. What they offered was strange in that it didn’t come from a close familiar relationship with the Lord. They didn’t have a sense of the real presence with the Lord. They didn’t have a relationship with the Lord apparently otherwise they wouldn’t have acted in this profane way.

This verse also tells us that religious ceremony is not enough. Nadab and Abihu used their censures but using holy implements was not enough to outweigh the substance of having a relationship with the Lord. Religion is never enough.

Second, the service that leads to death and a departure from the presence of the Lord was fleshly (10:1).

Leviticus 10:1 - Then Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, each took his censer and put fire in it, put incense on it, and offered profane fire before the Lord, which He had not commanded them.

If what the two sons did was not rooted in a relationship with the Lord, then it conversely was rooted in their flesh. Serving in the flesh, in one’s own strength or one’s own opinion never is sufficient to bring you into the presence of the Lord.

There was no prayer mentioned as part of the actions of the two sons. They were relying on their own whims. Maybe they wanted to step in and usurp the glory of God by bringing the focus on them and the “fire” they offered.

They were acting on impulse. Perhaps they were excited about how God had just burned up the offering at the Tabernacle of Meeting (9:24). They may have let their emotions carry them away into improper service.

Third, the service that leads to death and a departure from the presence of the Lord did not regard God as holy (10:3).

Leviticus 10:3 - ³ And Moses said to Aaron, “This is what the Lord spoke, saying:

‘By those who come near Me

I must be regarded as holy;

And before all the people

I must be glorified.’ ”

So Aaron held his peace.

This was God’s assessment of what the two sons had done. Aaron held his peace. He must have grieved at the foolish behavior of his two sons, but he held his peace. God is holy. Aaron knew God’s judgment on his sons was proper.

Irreverence is a great offense in our day. Jesus is our “Friend” but He is still God and to be respected. Irreverence and a lack of respect for God is offensive to Him (Ex. 19:22; 1 Petr. 1:15-16).

Fourth, the service that leads to death and a departure from the presence of the Lord impaired (10:8-11).

Leviticus 10:8-11 - ⁸ Then the Lord spoke to Aaron, saying: ⁹ “Do not drink wine or intoxicating drink, you, nor your sons with you, when you go into the tabernacle of meeting, lest you die. It shall be a statute forever throughout your generations, ¹⁰ that you may distinguish between holy and unholy, and between unclean and clean, ¹¹ and that you may teach the children of Israel all the statutes which the Lord has spoken to them by the hand of Moses.”

The warning not to drink wine when serving the Lord may imply that this was part of the offense of Nadab and Abihu. Wine and alcohol impairs us. We need to be in control of our faculties when worshiping and serving the Lord. Indeed we ought to be continually filled with the Spirit not anything that would intoxicate or desensitize us to the Lord (Eph. 5:18).

Fifth, the service that leads to death and a departure from the presence of the Lord is spiritually terminal (10:2).

Leviticus 10:2 - ² So fire went out from the Lord and devoured them, and they died before the Lord.

That done outside the parameters of the Lord and His word is spiritually terminal. It was literally terminal for Nadab and Abihu. But that not done in the Spirit and according to God’s word leads to spiritual death.

That which Produces Death Must Be Removed

What should we do in such situations where profane fire is offered to the Lord? Here we have some clear instruction.

First, remove the carcasses of those producing death (10:4-5).

Leviticus 10:4-5 - ⁴ Then Moses called Mishael and Elzaphan, the sons of Uzziel the uncle of Aaron, and said to them, “Come near, carry your brethren from before the sanctuary out of the camp.” ⁵ So they went near and carried them by their tunics out of the camp, as Moses had said.

There comes a time where that which has been judged by the Lord must be removed. If something in ministry is dead, remove it. If service of one kind or another is spiritually dead, remove it so that God can do a fresh work.

Second, don’t defile yourselves with touching those who have profaned the Lord (10:6-7).

Leviticus 10:6-7 - ⁶ And Moses said to Aaron, and to Eleazar and Ithamar, his sons, “Do not uncover your heads nor tear your clothes, lest you die, and wrath come upon all the people. But let your brethren, the whole house of Israel, bewail the burning which the Lord has kindled. ⁷ You shall not go out from the door of the tabernacle of meeting, lest you die, for the anointing oil of the Lord is upon you.” And they did according to the word of Moses.

Moses told Aaron and his other two sons Eleazar and Ithamar to not grieve or show remorse for Nadab and Abihu. The anointing of the Lord was upon them. They must respect the actions of God and not have an unscriptural sentimental attitude or actions. People are frequently quick to coddle those who have been disciplined by God. That is wrong! God’s discipline is right and just. We discipline in grace but there is a time for those involved with profane things to be disciplined and coddling obstructs what God wants to do (e.g. 1 Cor. 5 and 2 Cor. 2).

Third, don’t allow yourself to be impaired when serving the Lord (10:8-11).

Leviticus 10:8-11 - ⁸ Then the Lord spoke to Aaron, saying: ⁹ “Do not drink wine or intoxicating drink, you, nor your sons with you, when you go into the tabernacle of meeting, lest you die. It shall be a statute forever throughout your generations, ¹⁰ that you may distinguish between holy and unholy, and between unclean and clean, ¹¹ and that you may teach the children of Israel all the statutes which the Lord has spoken to them by the hand of Moses.”

When we serve the Lord we should be alert and spiritually sensitive to the Spirit. Anything, including alcohol, should be refrained from for those seeking to serve the Lord.

Fourth, resume proper worship and pay attention to the details of God’s word (10:12-20).

Leviticus 10:12-20 - ¹² And Moses spoke to Aaron, and to Eleazar and Ithamar, his sons who were left: “Take the grain offering that remains of the offerings made by fire to the Lord, and eat it without leaven beside the altar; for it is most holy. ¹³ You shall eat it in a holy place, because it is your due and your sons’ due, of the sacrifices made by fire to the Lord; for so I have been commanded. ¹⁴ The breast of the wave offering and the thigh of the heave offering you shall eat in a clean place, you, your sons, and your daughters with you; for they are your due and your sons’ due, which are given from the sacrifices of peace offerings of the children of Israel. ¹⁵ The thigh of the heave offering and the breast of the wave offering they shall bring with the offerings of fat made by fire, to offer as a wave offering before the Lord. And it shall be yours and your sons’ with you, by a statute forever, as the Lord has commanded.” ¹⁶ Then Moses made careful inquiry about the goat of the sin offering, and there it was—burned up. And he was angry with Eleazar and Ithamar, the sons of Aaron who were left, saying, ¹⁷ “Why have you not eaten the sin offering in a holy place, since it is most holy, and God has given it to you to bear the guilt of the congregation, to make atonement for them before the Lord? ¹⁸ See! Its blood was not brought inside the holy place; indeed you should have eaten it in a holy place, as I commanded.” ¹⁹ And Aaron said to Moses, “Look, this day they have offered their sin offering and their burnt offering before the Lord, and such things have befallen me! If I had eaten the sin offering today, would it have been accepted in the sight of the Lord?” ²⁰ So when Moses heard that, he was content.

Moses instructs Eleazar and Ithamar to resume the sacrifices. He rebukes them for not eating the sacrificed meal that they had left over. When we have a bad incident like the one of Nadab and Abihu, we need to resume worship of the Lord and ministry and pay attention to the details of His word. We need to learn from the falls of others and not repeat them.

I came across a powerful parable written by a Haitian pastor illustrating to his congregation the need for total commitment to Christ.

A certain man wanted to sell his house for two thousand dollars. Another man wanted very badly to buy it but couldn't afford the full price the owner was asking. After much bargaining however, he agreed to sell the house to the poor man for half the original price -- along with just one stipulation: He would retain ownership of one small nail protruding from just over the door.

After several years, the original owner wanted the house back, but the new owner was unwilling to sell. So the first owner went out, found the carcass of a dead dog and hung it from the single nail he still owned. Soon the house became unlivable and the family was forced to sell the house to the owner of the nail.

The Haitian pastor concluded that "If we leave the Devil with even one small peg in our life, he will return to hang his rotting garbage on it, making it unfit for Christ's habitation."

The devil has only come to steal, kill and destroy. He can be very crafty and he would love nothing more than to steal from us our very inhabitance in the Lord. Let's ask the Lord to reveal any pegs we may be leaving for the devil today and take back all that belongs to us in Jesus!

Consecration - Part3

In Consecration – Part 1 we learned consecration is an act of worship whereby we are set apart for God’s use to serve Him wherever and however He sees fit. In part two we learned God selects us for consecrated service and we learned that consecration involves washing with the word, putting on Christ, being empowered by the Spirit, and being prepared through girding and discipleship. In this final part of Consecration we’ll look at God’s provision for as well as some very practical aspects of consecration.

Consecration involves the Blood of Sacrifice

Leviticus 8:14-21 - ¹⁴ And he brought the bull for the sin offering. Then Aaron and his sons laid their hands on the head of the bull for the sin offering, ¹⁵ and Moses killed it. Then he took the blood, and put some on the horns of the altar all around with his finger, and purified the altar. And he poured the blood at the base of the altar, and consecrated it, to make atonement for it. ¹⁶ Then he took all the fat that was on the entrails, the fatty lobe attached to the liver, and the two kidneys with their fat, and Moses burned them on the altar. ¹⁷ But the bull, its hide, its flesh, and its offal, he burned with fire outside the camp, as the Lord had commanded Moses. ¹⁸ Then he brought the ram as the burnt offering. And Aaron and his sons laid their hands on the head of the ram, ¹⁹ and Moses killed it. Then he sprinkled the blood all around on the altar. ²⁰ And he cut the ram into pieces; and Moses burned the head, the pieces, and the fat. ²¹ Then he washed the entrails and the legs in water. And Moses burned the whole ram on the altar. It was a burnt sacrifice for a sweet aroma, an offering made by fire to the Lord, as the Lord had commanded Moses.

Moses brought the bull of the sin offering before Aaron and his sons and had them lay their hands on it. He then killed the bull. This impressed on them the seriousness of sin and the concept of identification. It also communicated to them that they were sinners and needed a sin offering just like the rest of the congregation. The priesthood was not special in the sense of being a hierarchy or professional clergy; it was special in that they had been called to serve. And the fact that they needed the blood of a sacrifice to atone for them should have humbled them.

Moses then brought a ram of a burnt offering for Aaron and his sons to lay their hands on as it was sacrificed. This communicated they were being called to a full and forever dedication to the Lord and serving Him.

Similarly, we are sinners who need the cleansing of our sins by the blood of Jesus. Through faith in Jesus our sins are washed away by His blood (1 John 1:7, 9). Those who seek to serve the Lord must have faith in the shed blood of Jesus as the only means their sins can be cleansed (1 Pet. 1:2). In the Old Testament God passed over the sins of those who by faith obeyed His system of sacrifice. But at the cross the sins previously passed over by God were dealt with in actuality through the atoning death of Jesus. It is the shed blood of Jesus that brings us peace with righteous God (Rom. 3:21-28).

Consecration Practical Holiness

Leviticus 8:22-26 - ²² And he brought the second ram, the ram of consecration. Then Aaron and his sons laid their hands on the head of the ram, ²³ and Moses killed it. Also he took some of its blood and put it on the tip of Aaron’s right ear, on the thumb of his right hand, and on the big toe of his right foot. ²⁴ Then he brought Aaron’s sons. And Moses put some of the blood on the tips of their right ears, on the thumbs of their right hands, and on the big toes of their right feet. And Moses sprinkled the blood all around on the altar. ²⁵ Then he took the fat and the fat tail, all the fat that was on the entrails, the fatty lobe attached to the liver, the two kidneys and their fat, and the right thigh; ²⁶ and from the basket of unleavened bread that was before the Lord he took one unleavened cake, a cake of bread anointed with oil, and one wafer, and put them on the fat and on the right thigh;

Here we see Moses literally and personally applying the blood of the sacrifice to Aaron and his sons. Aaron and each of his sons must personally have the blood of sacrifice applied to them. They needed to personally experience that which they were going to minister to the people.

Applying the blood to the ear symbolized consecrated listening. What the priest hears or listens to must be brought under the blood. Applying the blood to the thumb of the right hand symbolized that the work of their hands must be washed in the blood of sacrifice. And the application of the blood to the big toes was to communicate that wherever the priest would go must be covered in the blood. All of this implies a practical holiness, the application of the blood of sacrifice.

Similarly, a servant of God must minister from experience. The person who serves God must have personally experienced salvation through faith in Christ by God’s grace before they seek to serve God. The blood of Jesus and the holy cleansing must have been experienced by the one seeking to serve the Lord. The blood of Jesus and the holiness it brings must be seen and experienced practically in what the priest/servant listens to, the work of their hands and the places they travel.

Consecration involves Receiving God’s Provisions

Leviticus 8:27-29 - ²⁷ and he put all these in Aaron’s hands and in his sons’ hands, and waved them as a wave offering before the Lord. ²⁸ Then Moses took them from their hands and burned them on the altar, on the burnt offering. They were consecration offerings for a sweet aroma. That was an offering made by fire to the Lord. ²⁹ And Moses took the breast and waved it as a wave offering before the Lord. It was Moses’ part of the ram of consecration, as the Lord had commanded Moses.

Consecration involves receiving God’s provision. It means coming before the Lord empty handed to be filled by Him. That is what we see here as the parts of the sacrifices are put into the open arms of Aaron and his sons.

We too must come before the Lord to receive His provisions. Where God guides God gifts. When God calls a person to a task He will enable them to do it. It is only when we march out in our own devices, unequipped by God that troubles arise. Many a minister has crashed and burned because their venture in faith was not so much faith as it was their fleshly desires. We need to be equipped by God with His gifting to minister as He sees fit for us (cf. 1 Cor. 12:11; Eph. 4:11-12).

Consecration involves Anointing

Leviticus 8:30 - ³⁰ Then Moses took some of the anointing oil and some of the blood which was on the altar, and sprinkled it on Aaron, on his garments, on his sons, and on the garments of his sons with him; and he consecrated Aaron, his garments, his sons, and the garments of his sons with him.

Moses anointed by sprinkling Aaron and his sons. This points to the need for anointing of the Spirit. Notice the sprinkling was a mixture of oil and blood. In the same way the blood of Jesus and the oil of the Spirit make up the anointing of those called by God to serve Him. The priest will serve in the power of the Spirit and the sustaining cleansing of the blood of Jesus to counter the servant’s weaknesses, shortcomings and sin.

Consecration involves Communion with the Lord

Leviticus 8:31-32 - ³¹ And Moses said to Aaron and his sons, “Boil the flesh at the door of the tabernacle of meeting, and eat it there with the bread that is in the basket of consecration offerings, as I commanded, saying, ‘Aaron and his sons shall eat it.’ ³² What remains of the flesh and of the bread you shall burn with fire.

Moses instructed Aaron and his sons to prepare a meal to eat before the Lord. This was a type of peace offering, a meal in the presence and fellowship of the Lord.

Service of the Lord is rooted deeply in communion with the Lord. The servant of the Lord must “eat” of Him in the sense that we come to His communion table and dine with Jesus (John 6:30-47). To serve the Lord we can’t rely on mere earthly food (John 6:27). We need the bread, the manna from heaven; we need Jesus. Jesus spoke of this necessity and many of His disciples were unable to accept it (John 6:48-60, 66). This is a spiritual meal that needs to be spiritually discerned (John 6:61-65). The body of Jesus only becomes repulsive to those who do not discern it in the Spirit. Without the Spirit it becomes an ugly cannibalistic meal (John 6:52). In this Spirit, such a meal becomes “words of eternal life” from “the Christ, the Son of the living God” (John 6:66-69). If the Spirit is left out of such a meal, the one who continues without the Spirit will in all likelihood end up like Judas (John 6:70-71).

Consecration involves Separation and Seriousness

Leviticus 8:33-36 - ³³ And you shall not go outside the door of the tabernacle of meeting for seven days, until the days of your consecration are ended. For seven days he shall consecrate you. ³⁴ As he has done this day, so the Lord has commanded to do, to make atonement for you. ³⁵ Therefore you shall stay at the door of the tabernacle of meeting day and night for seven days, and keep the charge of the Lord, so that you may not die; for so I have been commanded.” ³⁶ So Aaron and his sons did all the things that the Lord had commanded by the hand of Moses.

Lastly, Moses instructs Aaron and his sons to go separate themselves for seven days of the consecrating process. They were to spend time with the Lord to be prepared for the service God had called them too. This was not something they were to enter into casually. This was not something they should do by simply going through some motions. They needed to take their calling as priests seriously, “that you may not die.”

Serving the Lord is not something to be entered into lightly. It is something by which you should patiently and seriously pray through. God calls us to serve, but we should only do so as we have been equipped and directed by Him.

How about you? Do you understand a bit better what consecration is all about? I hope so. God is calling us to a consecrated life. That means we have to answer some questions. Are you ready to stand before God with open arms and heart to receive whatever he desires to give you? Are you ready to be equipped by God, filled to overflowing for the task He assigns to you? Are you ready to give Him your will? Ready to go where He wants you to go and stay where he wants you to stay? Are you ready to serve Him humbly? Are you willing to come before Holy God to have Him do His holy work in you? Are you ready to live a consecrated life? I pray you are.

Consecration - Part 2

In Consecration – Part 1 we learned that consecration is an act of worship whereby we are set apart for God’s use to serve Him wherever and however He sees fit. Now we will turn to Leviticus 8 as we dig a bit deeper into the meaning of consecration. What do we learn about consecrated preparation as priests in Leviticus 8?

Consecration involves God’s Selection

Leviticus 8:1-5 - And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: ² “Take Aaron and his sons with him, and the garments, the anointing oil, a bull as the sin offering, two rams, and a basket of unleavened bread; ³ and gather all the congregation together at the door of the tabernacle of meeting.” ⁴ So Moses did as the Lord commanded him. And the congregation was gathered together at the door of the tabernacle of meeting. ⁵ And Moses said to the congregation, “This is what the Lord commanded to be done.”

God told Moses to set Aaron and his sons aside for this holy purpose. This was a sovereign decision of God to set Aaron and his sons apart for His service. Notice this selection was for service not salvation. God selected or elected Aaron and his sons to serve the Lord.

In the same way the priesthood of believers is elected by God to serve Him (Eph. 1:3-4; 2:10). Jesus chose the disciples (John 15:16). Disciples are only as effective as they realize that they are dependent upon Jesus (John 15:1), cleansed by His word (John 15:2), and that they can do nothing of eternal significance or lasting worth apart from Jesus (John 15:3-8). The disciple of Jesus is in the blessed state of a deep abiding love relationship with Jesus (John 15:9-17). That love is a product of the regeneration and sanctification of the Spirit in their lives (Rom. 5:5; Gal. 5:22-24).

Consecration involves Washing

Leviticus 8:6 - ⁶ Then Moses brought Aaron and his sons and washed them with water.

Just as Aaron and his sons were ceremonially washed before the congregation of God, the priesthood of believers and especially those serving the Lord need to be washed from their sins by the regeneration of the Spirit (Titus 3:5). This speaks of baptism (Rom. 6:1-4). Washing speaks of our being born again (1 Peter 1:22-25). When people try to serve the Lord without first being saved, it is a mere religious endeavor that will be filled with frustration and futility and ultimately will fail.

Those who are saved and seeking to serve the Lord need to be washed continually with the word of God (Eph. 5:26). The Spirit of God cleanses or sanctifies believers with the word of God. We need to regularly take a shower or bathe in the word of God so that we don’t accumulate muck and mire from the fallen world in which we serve.

The priest of God needs to have their hearts washed and purified of anything that would challenge the Lordship of Christ in their hearts (Acts 15:8-9). This is an aspect of the baptism or empowerment of the Spirit. When a person is empowered by the Spirit (cf. Acts 1:8) it isn’t that they receive more of the Holy Spirit, it’s that the Holy Spirit receives more of them. When Peter described the empowerment of the gentiles by the Spirit he did so using the words, “purifying their hearts by faith.” The priest of God and anyone seeking to serve the Lord will be effective in proportion to how much their heart is purified from distractions and alternatives to God and His word.

Consecration involves Special Clothing

Leviticus 8:7-9 - ⁷ And he put the tunic on him, girded him with the sash, clothed him with the robe, and put the ephod on him; and he girded him with the intricately woven band of the ephod, and with it tied the ephod on him. ⁸ Then he put the breastplate on him, and he put the Urim and the Thummim in the breastplate. ⁹ And he put the turban on his head. Also on the turban, on its front, he put the golden plate, the holy crown, as the Lord had commanded Moses.

God prescribed suitable clothing for the priests. The clothing of the priests set them apart from that which was common. They had different clothes to symbolize their different position and task in life.

Similarly, the priesthood of believers needs to put on the robes of righteousness through faith in Jesus Christ (Is. 61:10; Rom. 13:14). This clothing distinguishes the believer priest because it is characterized by certain things. Paul described such clothing in the following way to the Colossians:

· Colossians 3:12-14 - ¹² Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; ¹³ bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. ¹⁴ But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.

The person who wears that clothing is distinguishably holy in a contrasting sinful world.

Consecration involves the Spirit Empowerment

Leviticus 8:10-12 - ¹⁰ Also Moses took the anointing oil, and anointed the tabernacle and all that was in it, and consecrated them. ¹¹ He sprinkled some of it on the altar seven times, anointed the altar and all its utensils, and the laver and its base, to consecrate them. ¹² And he poured some of the anointing oil on Aaron’s head and anointed him, to consecrate him.

Oil in scripture is a symbol of the Spirit (cf. Zechariah 4:1-10). The priests being anointed with oil typified the need for the priest to be empowered by the Spirit. Serving as God’s priests was not something that could be done in one’s own strength. The priest of God needed to rely on The Spirit of God for staying power.

Similarly, Jesus instructed the early apostles and disciples to wait until they were empowered by the Spirit before they attempted to serve the Lord (Acts 1:4-5, 8). When they obeyed the Lord, those who had previously deserted the Lord in fear became bold proclaimers of the gospel in the power of the Spirit (Acts 2). It’s futile and will be very frustrating to serve or attempt to serve the Lord apart from the empowerment of the Spirit. Seek His empowerment and don’t lunge ahead in your own strength without it.

Consecration involves Girding and Discipleship

Leviticus 8:13 - ¹³ Then Moses brought Aaron’s sons and put tunics on them, girded them with sashes, and put hats on them, as the Lord had commanded Moses.

Moses had dressed Aaron (8:7-9), now he brought Aaron’s sons and put their tunics on and tied them in place with sashes. He put their hats on and followed the instructions of God. First Moses dressed Aaron, then his sons. There is an element of passing on instruction here. First Aaron was dressed and then his sons. This is a picture of discipleship. The sons of Aaron were to learn and follow what Moses had first done to Aaron.

Jesus’ gave the Great Commission which involves discipleship. Disciples are learners. They watch their Master and follow in His steps (Luke 11:1 ff.; 1 Pet. 2:21; 1 Jn. 2:6). Paul instructed others to follow his example (Phil. 3:17; 2 Tim. 3:10). This is discipleship.

Furthermore, just as Aaron and his sons were to put on and tie together their clothes, New Testament believer priests of God need to put on the full armor of God (Eph. 6:10-18). We tie all of our armor battlement together with the belt buckle of truth. God’s word is the truth that helps us to keep everything in place and tie it all together (John 17:17).

By now you’ve come to realize the deep work God desires to do in your life through consecration. Consecration is working out your salvation as well as God working in us. It’s the perfect balance involved with serving the Lord. Like a diamond in the rough that needs to be shaped for its ring, consecration readies us to serve the Lord.

How about you? Are you ready to present yourself to God? Do you understand a bit better what consecration is all about? I hope so. God is calling us to a consecrated life. He has chosen us to serve Him. He wants to wash us and dress us up for the task ahead. In the final part of this study we’ll look at some very practical aspects of consecration. Until then, I ask you, are you willing to come before Holy God to have Him do His holy work in you? I pray you are.

Consecration - Part 1

What is consecration? Is it something we should even care about? Consecration is a word that occurs 87 times in 80 verses of the Bible. Consecration has to do with holiness. Holiness is not something we hear a lot about in our world today. This is unfortunately true even for churches. God in His word says He is Holy and that those who follow Him are to be holy (Lev. 11:44-45; 1 Peter 1:15-16). Being holy is a command of God. This is something we ought to take to heart and pay attention to. God loves us and if He wants something for us we should understand it is for our own good. So where do we find out about this word consecration and what it has to do with holiness? In the Old Testament book of Leviticus we are given a good picture of what consecration means.

In Leviticus 7:35 the word “consecrated” is translated from the Hebrew term meshach. Meshach means literally anoint, smear, and spread a liquid. Based on the context this term refers to the breast and thigh portions of the peace offering which are used as a worshipful wave offering and heave offering respectively to the Lord which are allocated to Aaron and the priests (Lev. 7:28-38). Consecration therefore has something to do with worship. That which is consecrated is set aside for God’s prescribed use or allocation. The breast and thigh are consecrated or anointed in that they are specifically set aside by God as the portion to be given to and used by the priests. This setting aside or consecration is an act of worship.

In Leviticus 7:37 the word “consecrations” is translated from the Hebrew term miluʾîm which refers to a fulfilling, a setting of gems, consecration or putting in place. The context here refers to the order of the sacrifices; putting them in place as precious stones in a ring. This word can also apply to the ordination or installation of priests. Priests are consecrated in the sense that God has called them to be set apart specifically for His use and service. Consecration has to do with being set apart or put into place in God’s plans like the setting of a diamond in a ring of God.

The word “consecrate” in its various other forms is synonymous with the word sanctify and is a translation of the Hebrew term qadash. The word qadash means, consecrate, dedicate, hallow, be holy, keep holy, holy, holy place, purify, sanctify, sanctified one, sanctified self, wholly. To be holy means to be unique in some way. God is holy in the sense that there is no one else like Him (Exodus 15:11; 1 Sam. 2:2; cf. also Ps. 86:8; Rev. 15:4). Priests are holy in the sense that God has called them apart for a special use, a unique use; to serve Him and be used by Him for His purposes. To consecrate or be sanctified means to be set apart for God’s use. This is the essence of what the words “Be holy for I am holy” mean.

Putting all of this together we find that consecration is an act of worship whereby we are set apart for God’s use to serve Him wherever and however He sees fit.

In Leviticus 8 instructions about how to consecrate priests is given. This is important for Christians in the sense that the New Testament declares Christians are a “royal priesthood”:

· 1 Peter 2:9-10 - But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; ¹⁰ who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.

The consecration of priests in the Old Testament speaks to the priesthood of believers in the New Testament. How priests were prepared or consecrated, set apart for God in the Old Testament helps us to understand how we, the priesthood of believers can be prepared and set apart for God’s use today. In the next part of our study we’ll look at the consecration of priests in Leviticus 8. This chapter will give great insight into the consecration of priests and what it means to us as the royal priesthood in Christ.

How about you? Are you ready to present yourself to God in consecration as an act of worship? Are you beginning to see that consecration should be a big part of the life of the Christian? I hope so. God is calling us to a consecrated life. In the next part of this short series we’ll begin looking at Leviticus chapter eight. Leviticus is often viewed as a boring dead legalistic book of the Old Testament. Trust me, it’s part of God’s inspired word and as such is dynamic. As we look into Leviticus 8 we’ll see powerful aspects of consecration. I hope you will be challenged to incorporate those powerful aspects into your life. Until then, I ask you, are you willing to come before Holy God to have Him do His holy work in you? I pray you are.