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Leviticus - Sandy 3
Sermon Summary
Sandy teaches that God’s holiness is both good and dangerous, calling us to draw near through Jesus—the ultimate sacrifice—and to live daily surrendered to God’s way rather than our own, trusting in His grace and mercy to walk faithfully with Him.
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Leviticus, often overlooked for its meticulous detail and repetition, reveals a God who is both holy and good—a God who desires to dwell among His people but insists on order, reverence, and careful obedience. The Israelites, like Adam and Eve in Eden, were called to be caretakers of a sacred space, hosting the divine presence in the midst of their camp. The tabernacle, surrounded by the tribes, became a new Eden, a place where heaven and earth met, and where offerings transformed into smoke, rising as a pleasing aroma to God. This was not just about ritual, but about transformation and drawing near to the Creator.
The ordination of Aaron and his sons as priests was a moment of new creation, marked by washing, anointing, and symbolic acts—blood on the ear, thumb, and toe—signifying the call to hear God’s word, do His will, and walk in His ways. The priests stood as royal representatives before the people, but in humility before God. Their consecration culminated in a seven-day feast, embodying the ideal of humanity dwelling with God, and on the eighth day, God’s glory appeared to all Israel. Fire from God consumed the offering, and the people responded with awe and joy, experiencing the wonder and majesty of God’s presence.
Yet, this joy was quickly shattered when Aaron’s sons, Nadab and Abihu, offered unauthorised fire—doing things their own way rather than God’s. The same fire that brought joy now brought judgment, consuming them instantly. Their failure was rooted in a lack of discernment, likely due to drunkenness, and a disregard for the holiness of God. This echoes the story of Adam and Eve, and serves as a warning: God’s holiness is both beautiful and dangerous, and drawing near on our own terms leads to destruction.
Holiness is not about appeasing an angry God with endless sacrifices, but about obedience, surrender, and relationship. Jesus, our ultimate “draw near thing,” has become the once-for-all sacrifice, making a way for us to approach God without fear of condemnation. The call now is to daily offer ourselves as living sacrifices—ears to hear, hands to do, feet to walk in God’s ways. When we fail, the path back is not through appeasement, but through confession, repentance, and trust in God’s covenant faithfulness. We have been given everything we need for life and godliness; the invitation is to do it God’s way, not our own.
Key Takeaways
- 1. Holiness Is Both Beautiful and Dangerous: God’s holiness is not merely a distant attribute but a living reality that is both good and perilous. To draw near to God is to encounter a beauty that transforms, but also a power that cannot be approached carelessly or on our own terms. The story of Nadab and Abihu is a sobering reminder that God’s presence is not to be trifled with, and that reverence and obedience are essential when approaching the Holy One.
- 2. Discernment Is Essential for God’s People: The priests’ primary calling was to discern between what is holy and what is common, and to teach this discernment to the people. When discernment is lost—whether through carelessness, pride, or intoxication—God’s people are in danger of bringing harm upon themselves and others. True spiritual maturity is marked by the ability to distinguish God’s ways from our own and to lead others in the same.
- 3. Obedience Is the Pathway to God’s Presence: God’s instructions for worship and sacrifice were not arbitrary, but designed to create a space where His people could safely encounter His glory. Obedience is not about earning God’s favour, but about aligning ourselves with His order and purposes. When we do things “our way,” we risk missing out on the fullness of God’s presence and blessing.
- 4. Jesus Is Our Once-for-All Offering: Unlike the endless sacrifices of Leviticus, Jesus has become the ultimate offering, making a way for us to draw near to God without fear of condemnation. Our response is not to try to appease God through our own efforts, but to surrender daily, offering ourselves as living sacrifices. In Christ, we are invited into a relationship marked by grace, not fear.
- 5. Confession and Repentance Restore Fellowship: When we fail or fall short, the way back to God is not through self-punishment or endless striving, but through honest confession and repentance. God’s covenant faithfulness remains, and He calls us to name our sins, turn from them, and trust in His forgiveness. This is the ongoing rhythm of life with God: hearing, doing, walking, and returning when we stray.
Daily Hope Devotionals
Day 1: God’s Desire Is to Dwell Among His People
Scripture:
Leviticus 26:11-12
'I will put my dwelling place among you, and I will not abhor you. I will walk among you and be your God, and you will be my people. '
https://www.bible.com/bible/11...
Devotional:
God’s longing from the very beginning has been to live in the midst of His people, to be with them in harmony and partnership. Despite humanity’s repeated doubts and attempts to do things their own way, God’s heart remains unchanged—He wants to be near, to share life, and to work together with us for good. The book of Leviticus reveals the lengths to which God goes to make this possible, providing a way for people to draw near to Him, even when they feel unworthy or distant. Today, you are invited to remember that God’s presence is not far off; He is here, calling you by name, desiring relationship and closeness with you.
Reflection:
In what area of your life do you most struggle to believe that God truly wants to be close to you?
How might you respond to His invitation to draw near today?
Prayer:
Lord God, You call us by name, just as You called Moses from the tent of meeting. We hear Your voice and come near, bringing our offerings—not just gifts, but our whole hearts. Help us to obey as Moses did, to listen and respond with faithfulness. May we draw near with the right “draw near thing,” fully surrendered and ready to meet You in holiness and love. Amen
Day 2: Drawing Near Requires Humility and Surrender
Scripture:
James 4:7-8,10
'Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. '
https://www.bible.com/bible/11...
Devotional:
Approaching God is not about following empty rituals or doing things our own way, but about humbling ourselves, surrendering our pride, and coming to Him on His terms. The call to “draw near” is an invitation to bring our whole selves—our gratitude, our repentance, our need—before a holy God who desires relationship. God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble, and as we submit ourselves to Him, He promises to draw near to us. This nearness is not just a feeling but a lived reality, marked by obedience, repentance, and a willingness to let go of self-sufficiency.
Reflection:
What is one area where you are tempted to do things your own way instead of God’s? What would it look like to surrender that area to Him today?
Prayer:
Father, we thank You for Your grace that allows us to come close, even when we have failed. We bring our thank offerings with grateful hearts for all You have given. And we bring our sorry offerings, confessing the times we have chosen our own way instead of Yours. Thank You that You would rather forgive than destroy. Help us to live in the light of Your mercy and to walk humbly with You every day. Amen.
Day 3: Holiness Is About Proximity and Participation
Scriptures:
Leviticus 1:1-3
'The Lord called to Moses and spoke to him from the tent of meeting. He said, “Speak to the Israelites and say to them: ‘When anyone among you brings an offering to the Lord, bring as your offering an animal from either the herd or the flock. “ ‘If the offering is a burnt offering from the herd, you are to offer a male without defect. You must present it at the entrance to the tent of meeting so that it will be acceptable to the Lord. 'https://www.bible.com/bible/11...
Devotional:
God’s holiness is both beautiful and dangerous, like fire—inviting, warming, but not to be approached carelessly. Holiness is not about being distant or aloof, but about coming close to God in the way He prescribes, participating fully with heart, mind, and body. The offerings in Leviticus were hands-on, sensory experiences that involved the whole person, reminding us that drawing near to God is not just a mental exercise but a total participation in His presence and purposes. God’s desire is for us to be wholehearted, to bring our best, and to engage with Him in every aspect of life.
Reflection:
How can you intentionally engage your whole self—body, mind, and spirit—in drawing near to God this week?
Prayer:
Holy God, You are like fire. Beautiful, warm, and yet dangerous. We long to come close to You, but we know we must come in the way You have prescribed. Help us to be wholehearted, unblemished in our commitment to You. Teach us to live set apart, holy, and different, reflecting Your character in all we do. May we embrace Your holiness with reverence and joy. Amen.
Day 4: God’s Grace Makes a Way for Relationship
Scripture:
Hebrews 10:19-22
'Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. '
https://www.bible.com/bible/11...
Devotional:
Despite humanity’s failures and the consequences of sin, God’s grace is seen in His willingness to provide a way for forgiveness and restored relationship. The sacrificial system was not about appeasing an angry deity, but about God’s desire to forgive rather than destroy, to cover sin and make communion possible. Ultimately, this points to Jesus, who became the perfect “draw near” offering, making it possible for us to enjoy God’s presence without fear. God’s grace is not earned; it is received with gratitude and humility, and it transforms how we relate to Him and to others.
Reflection:
Is there an area of your life where you feel unworthy of God’s forgiveness?
How can you receive His grace and draw near to Him with confidence today?
Prayer:
Lord, we confess that often we want our own way. But You call us to surrender, to humble ourselves and submit to Your will. Help us resist the temptation to do it our way and instead follow Your path. Cleanse our hands and purify our hearts. Draw us near to You, and in Your grace, exalt us. May we be known by our love for You and for others, living as Your holy people in this world. Amen.
Day 5: God’s People Are Set Apart by Love and Difference
Scripture:
1 Peter 2:9-10
'But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. '
https://www.bible.com/bible/11...
Devotional:
God’s call to holiness is a call to be set apart—not just in ritual or appearance, but in the way we love, serve, and live in community. The Israelites were known by their distinct practices, but even more so by their commitment to love God and neighbor, to care for the vulnerable, and to live differently from the world around them. Today, followers of Jesus are called to be known by their love, their humility, and their willingness to live according to God’s ways, even when it seems strange or countercultural. Our lives should reflect the holy God we worship, inviting others to see the difference He makes.
Reflection:
What is one practical way you can demonstrate God’s set-apart love to someone in your community today?
Prayer:
Gracious God, our world is broken and in need of Your healing. We lament the pain, the division, and the distance from You that we see around us. Yet we rejoice that You are here, dwelling among us, calling us to draw near. Help us to be agents of Your love and peace, to grieve with hope, and to live as a people set apart for Your glory. May Your kingdom come and Your will be done in our lives and in our communities. Amen.
Day 6: The Beauty and Danger of God’s Holiness
Scripture:
Hebrews 9:12
'He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption. '
https://www.bible.com/bible/11...
Devotional:
God’s holiness is like a fire that warms and lights up the darkness. It’s beautiful and draws us in. But if we get too close without protection, it can burn us. The people of Israel knew this well. When God’s glory came down on the tabernacle, they couldn’t enter because they didn’t have the right protection — they didn’t have the right offerings or the right “fireproof gear” to come near. God’s holiness demands purity and respect. Sin and brokenness separate us from Him, like a flaming sword guarding the way to the tree of life. Without the right preparation, coming near God’s fire means death.
Reflection:
How does the Day of Atonement in Leviticus point us to the work of Jesus today?
What does it mean for you personally that God desires to live in the midst of His people?
Prayer:
Lord, I pray for a deeper understanding and appreciation of You, Jesus, as my ultimate atonement and access to God. Help me respond to Your call to intimacy and relationship, drawing near with a humble and obedient heart. Amen
Day 7: Thankfulness and Repentance in Drawing Near to God
Scripture:
Psalms 50:14
“Sacrifice thank offerings to God, fulfil your vows to the Most High...
https://www.bible.com/bible/11...
God called Moses from the tent of meeting, inviting him into a relationship. Moses responded by listening carefully and obeying God’s instructions. This is the heart of drawing near to God — hearing His call and responding with surrender and obedience. Like Moses, we are invited to come close to God, not on our own terms, but on His terms. We bring our “draw near thing” — our surrender, our thanks, our repentance — and step into His presence with humility.
Reflection:
How do thankfulness and repentance work together in your walk with God?
What “draw near thing” are you bringing to God as an offering today?
Prayer:
Lord, give me a heart that is both thankful and repentant before You. Help me bring my best offering, my whole self, as I draw near to You. Amen
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