READING: Review Leviticus 1-10; Leviticus 9:22-24
“And when all the people saw it, they shouted and fell facedown.”
Leviticus 9:24
So much is happening in this text that it’s almost overwhelming:
Aaron lifted up his hands toward the people and blessed them. He came down after sacrificing the sin offering, the burnt offering, and the fellowship offering. Moses and Aaron then entered the tent of meeting. When they came out, they blessed the people, and the glory of the Lord appeared to all the people. Fire came from the Lord and consumed the burnt offering and the fat portions on the altar. And when all the people saw it, they shouted and fell facedown. (Lev. 9:22-24).
Aaron had sacrificed the appropriate offerings on behalf of the people. He had pronounced a blessing on the people. He and Moses entered the tent of meeting, after which the glory of the Lord appeared to all the people. Then, fire came from God and consumed the offerings remaining on the altar. So great were the events that the people “shouted and fell facedown” (Lev. 9:24). It’s likely the people shouted with joy, and they assumed a position of humility and awe before God: on their faces. Apparently, the whole nation fell before God.
God’s power was so obvious among them that all they could do was fall before Him. I fear that too many of us, on the other hand, are playing church – attending faithfully, giving regularly, speaking of God occasionally – but we still don’t know what it’s like to truly experience the power of God. Indeed, I cannot remember the last time I saw an entire congregation on its face before God.
How I long to see God’s power so obviously moving among us that all we can do is shout and “fall facedown”!
ACTION STEPS:
- Thank God for His power.
- Tell someone else about one way you’ve experienced God’s power during your Christian journey.
PRAYER: “God, show me Your power today, however you wish to do it.”
TOMORROW’S READING: Leviticus 11-14