"They shall be holy unto their God and not profane the name of their God: for the offerings of the Lord made by fire and the bread of their God they do offer; therefore, they shall be holy."
This verse is part of the regulations outlined by God for the priests of Israel. In Leviticus, God provides detailed instructions regarding the behaviour, responsibilities, and consecration of the priests who served in the tabernacle and later in the temple.
Holy unto their God:The priests were called to be set apart and consecrated for their service to God. They were to maintain a higher standard of holiness and purity compared to the rest of the Israelites. Their lives and actions were to reflect their devotion to God.
Not profane the name of their God:The priests were commanded to avoid any actions or behaviours that would bring dishonour or disrespect to the name of God. They were to uphold the holiness and reverence of God’s name in all they did.
Offerings and bread:The verse mentions two important aspects of the priestly duties: the offerings made by fire and the bread of their God. The priests were responsible for offering sacrifices on behalf of the people, and they also partook of the bread of the presence (also known as the showbread) in the tabernacle. These offerings and bread were considered sacred and had to be handled with utmost reverence.
Implications for believers today:While the regulations in Leviticus 21:6 were specifically directed at the priests of Israel, there are some principles that can be applied to Christians today. As believers, we are called to be holy and set apart for God’s service (1 Peter 1:15-16). We should strive to honour and uphold the name of God in our lives, avoiding actions or behaviours that would bring dishonour to Him. Additionally, we have the privilege and responsibility to offer our lives as a spiritual sacrifice (Romans 12:1) and to partake of the spiritual nourishment found in God’s Word (Matthew 4:4).
It’s important to note that the Levitical priesthood and its regulations were specific to the Old Covenant, which was fulfilled in Jesus Christ. In the New Testament, Jesus is described as the high priest (Hebrews 4:14-16) who offered Himself as the ultimate sacrifice for our sins (Hebrews 9:11-14). Through faith in Jesus, we enter into a new covenant relationship with God, where all believers are called to be priests (1 Peter 2:9) and to live in a manner that honours Him.
Remember to consider the broader context of Leviticus and the Bible as a whole when studying individual verses. This will help provide a more comprehensive understanding of God’s message and how it applies to our lives.
