In the Book of Esther (not yet written when God gave the Law to Moses) an individual could NOT come before the King … without making certain preparation. And that citizen’s very LIFE depended on such a proper approach!
“All the king’s servants, and the people of the king’s provinces, do know, that whosoever, whether man or woman, shall come unto the KING into the inner court, who is not called, there is one law of his to put him to DEATH, except such to whom the king shall hold out the golden sceptre, that he may live.” Esther 4:11
If that was the case before a (mere) earthly king … what might we suppose to be consequences of disobediently approaching God Almighty, the King of Kings?
Again I suspect … death! (Surely so, if our holy God is as important as that earthly King! Our ineffable God!)
Here’s proof, an example from Israel’s history …
Leviticus 10:1-2 … “And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the LORD, which he commanded them not. And there went out fire from the LORD, and devoured them, and they DIED before the LORD.”
Yes, coming before God in the correct way … it’s that important!
But what about Esther?
Did she, for the sake of the Jews … her own people (who at that time were under threat of extinction), approach this powerful King (Ahasuerus of Persia)?
Yes!
Was she slain?
“Now it came to pass on the third day, that Esther put on her royal apparel, and stood in the inner court of the king’s house, over against the king’s house: and the king sat upon his royal throne in the royal house, over against the gate of the house. And it was so, when the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, that she obtained FAVOUR (GRACE) in his sight: and the king held out to Esther the golden sceptre that was in his hand. So Esther drew near, and touched the top of the sceptre. Then said the king unto her, What wilt thou, queen Esther? and what is thy request?” Esther 5:1-3
Because of Grace … she was not only accepted, but also her greatest needs were granted!
Now … back to Leviticus chapter 16 (our Bible Text for the next few days) … where man, a human being (in the person of Aaron the High Priest of Israel, as representative), is going to be allowed (an act of GRACE, for sure) to approach the Lord God Himself!
So, logically, there are procedures that MUST be followed!
And there is benefit (actually Israel’s greatest need, an eternal need) to be gained!
Wow!
Leviticus 16:1-10, that first Paragraph, gives Aaron some general directions on HOW to enter this Most Holy Place, where the very Shekinah Glory of God (the God of Abraham and Isaac and Jacob) abides!
And those verses we shall note tomorrow morning, the Lord willing. (Unless I first discuss the “dating” of this great Day of Atonement.) This might be an exciting week here on the Website. Filled with Old Testament Law … but also filled with practical suggestions/principles on living for God, approaching Him the right way!
— Dr. Mike Bagwell
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