A worthy image

DAILY MANNA

FRIDAY 12TH JANUARY, 2018

A WORTHY IMAGE

TEXT: LEVITICUS 21:16-23

KEY VERSE: “No man that hath a blemish of the seed of Aaron the priest shall come nigh to offer the offerings of the LORD made by fire: he hath a blemish; he shall not come nigh to offer the bread of his God” (LEVITICUS 21:21).

Secular kingdoms and kings are usually careful in selecting their ambassadors and worthy representatives. They ensure that their choice truly reflects and represents the image, wealth, strength, glory and splendour of their land. As such, no one who appears weak, feeble, fearful and incompetent with any form of impediment is chosen for that office. They, therefore, expect their would- be representatives to be a true replica of those they represent.

In today’s passage, God specifies the physical qualifications of the priests who were to be His representatives and servants. They were to be whole and perfect without any form of physical deformity. Reasons for this are quite obvious. They were to be the true representatives of the Almighty who is in everything, complete and perfect. The priest who stood between God and man was to rightly reflect the nature and image of God. It’s important to remember that the Old Testament priesthood and sacrificial order were pointers and foreshadows the perfect New Testament order. The priest was a type of Christ, the perfect and blameless High Priest.

Though the issue of physical deformity does not disqualify one from the ministry, we must not lose sight of the symbolic relevance. God still demands perfection from His people today. No one with any form of moral deformity or blemish is fit for God’s service. And if such is not fit for His service, he is equally not fit for His holy abode.

Remember, Christ is coming for a glorious and perfect Church. So, pray for cleansing by His blood, live a righteous life and obey the word of God in all things to be fit for the Master’s use here on earth and fit to dwell with Him in heaven. You must possess “holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14).

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: It’s only clean vessels that are fit for the Master’s use and honour.

COVER to COVER: JOB 32-34

BIBLE ACCOUNTS AS THEY OCCURRED