February 20

Priestly Duties

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalms 29:1-11  | Leviticus 9:7-10:20 | Mark 4:26 -5:20 | Proverbs 10:6-7

Today’s Scripture Focus: Leviticus 9:7-10:20

“Then Aaron lifted his hands toward the people and blessed them. And having sacrificed the sin offering, the burnt offering and the fellowship offering, he stepped down. Moses and Aaron then went into the tent of meeting.  When they came out they blessed the people; and the glory of the LORD appeared to all the people” (Leviticus 9:22-23 TNIV).

Aaron and his assistants begin their priestly duties. Of course this meant caring for the sacrifices that brought atonement for sin. We are reminded in this text that it also meant the ministry of blessing the people.

With all the struggles and difficulties life brings we all stand in need of blessing. Circumstances sometimes beat us up and put us in a place where we need a blessing. Often the wounding words of other people become as curses to us and we need a blessing to bring the healing to our wounded souls. Life is difficult and we find ourselves emotionally beat up and bruised by the words and acts of others. The world around us brings more than enough cursing. We need to be blessed. This is why this ministry of blessing the people is such an important part of the priestly duties.  

Therefore the priests were given the privilege and responsibility of blessing people. We see Aaron taking up that role several times in this text.  He does so as he offers the sacrifices. Then again, we see Moses and Aaron coming out of the tent of meeting blessing the people.

They were acting on the Lord’s instructions given to Moses: 

“This is how you are to bless the Israelites. Say to them: “The LORD bless you and keep you; The LORD make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; The LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.” (Leviticus 6:23-26)

In the New Testament, God opens the priesthood to each of us. We are all part of his kingdom of priests. We are given the opportunity to bless others even as Aaron did. Don’t neglect your priestly duty of blessing. We all stand in need of the blessing.

Gracious Lord, I receive the blessing. Thank you for blessing and keeping me, continue to make your face shine on me—continue to be gracious; May you continue to turn your face toward me and give me your peace. Now, help me to bless others as I have been blessed. Amen.