Written by Paul Lane
The Word
16 The Lord spoke to Moses after the death of the two sons of Aaron, when they drew near before the Lord and died, 2 and the Lord said to Moses, “Tell Aaron your brother not to come at any time into the Holy Place inside the veil, before the mercy seat that is on the ark, so that he may not die. For I will appear in the cloud over the mercy seat. 3 But in this way Aaron shall come into the Holy Place: with a bull from the herd for a sin offering and a ram for a burnt offering. 4 He shall put on the holy linen coat and shall have the linen undergarment on his body, and he shall tie the linen sash around his waist, and wear the linen turban; these are the holy garments. He shall bathe his body in water and then put them on. 5 And he shall take from the congregation of the people of Israel two male goats for a sin offering, and one ram for a burnt offering.
Leviticus 16:1-5 (ESV)
40 The Lord said to Job:
2 “Will the one who contends with the Almighty correct him?
Let him who accuses God answer him!”3 Then Job answered the Lord:
4 “I am unworthy—how can I reply to you?
I put my hand over my mouth.
5 I spoke once, but I have no answer—
twice, but I will say no more.”6 Then the Lord spoke to Job out of the storm:
7 “Brace yourself like a man;
Job 40:1-7 (ESV)
I will question you,
and you shall answer me.
42 Then Job replied to the Lord:
2 “I know that you can do all things;
no purpose of yours can be thwarted.
3 You asked, ‘Who is this that obscures my plans without knowledge?’
Surely I spoke of things I did not understand,
things too wonderful for me to know.4 “You said, ‘Listen now, and I will speak;
Job 42:1-6 (ESV)
I will question you,
and you shall answer me.’
5 My ears had heard of you
but now my eyes have seen you.
6 Therefore I despise myself
and repent in dust and ashes.”
Reflection
When considering the idea of holiness, one must consider first the existence of a perfect being. One of the main elements of holiness is perfection. If there are no perfect beings, there can be no holiness. While in Italy I was able to explain the gospel to my nephew, while we toured St. Peter’s cathedral, and the idea of the existence of a perfect being was one of his stumbling blocks. The existence of such a being poses several questions that are difficult to answer. Can the perfect interact with the imperfect? If we were to touch such a being, would we ruin His perfection or would our imperfections be removed? If imperfections exist, how could He exist too? Could a perfect being be a created being?
While these questions are important, I think the most pressing question for us is, if you are confronted with such a being, what should you do. I am convinced that such a being does exist and that I shall have just such a confrontation. So, I am eager to have an answer to this question. Today I am using images from a scene in J. R. R. Tolkien’s book, “The Hobbit,” because it is such a wonderful story. The scene where Bilbo Baggins must confront the dragon does a great job at portraying our insufficiency in the presence of an overwhelming creature. First let me say that Smaug the Dragon is not God and is not a perfect being, though he would be happy if we would consider him so. But he is a very imposing figure and provides a reference for the type of fear that we should have. It is the type of fear that compels one to inaction, and a true sense of dread.
As you can see, Master Baggins is deeply affected by the sight of such a wonder. But here’s the thing. Would such a sight allow you to act as you normally would? Or does it cause you to act according to your most inward impulses? Such encounters are a refinement of one’s character. If courage be inside you, this type of an event will call it out. If courage does not lay within you, such an event will demonstrate to you your need of it. Either way an important discovery is made.
In Leviticus, the priest are made to give sacrifices and wear special close so that they are not destroyed by being in the presence of the perfect being. Moses is allowed to see God on Mount Sinai, but only the back of Him. But Job, Adam, and Eve are all allowed to speak to God the Son face-to-face. So, there must be a way to interact with such a perfect being, and one’s intimacy with corruption will govern how close one can get. The close and sacrifices of Aaron serve as a temporary solution to allow intimacy with God, but when Jesus comes, the path to intimacy is opened wide. But the one thing needed for us to receive the benefit is perhaps the hardest thing for us to do – to be humble and to obey. And it is that obedience that is the key for fallen humans to be able to interact with a perfect and wise God.
Application
There was a question asked of one of the presidential candidates, about the cause of the start of the American civil war. Typically, the two sides of the debate on this question are those who believe it was about slavery and those who believe it was about states rights. When I heard this story, I thought about it for a while and decided that the question is a bit more complicated or maybe simpler. I think the reason for the American Civil war is the same as it has been for most all wars in history. It was a fight over three questions, and you must take the questions in order. Do not answer the second or third question before you have a good understanding of the first:
1) Who is Man?
2) What is the appropriate government for Man?
3) Who should have a say in that government?
If you take these questions in order, and apply them to your daily life, I believe you will find illumination in your life and you will discover a better preparation for your day of confrontation.
1) Who am I? Am I an independent being accountable to no one or must I answer to someone at some point?
2) What is the appropriate way for me to live my life? Is there a code of conduct that I should follow? Do consequences matter?
3) Am I really in control of my life? Or do I only react to what is presented to me?
The answers to these questions will help you understand where you are in being able to spend time in the presence of God.
Prayer
Dear Lord, as I draw near to You, I recognize the fear within me. I realize that my steps must be guarded, and my heart is filled with respect and adoration. Though You are my Father, Creator, and that You desire intimacy with me, I must not forget that I am a low and fallen being, in desperate need of healing and forgiveness. I approach as a stranger, seeking intimacy with one much greater than I, and anything I get is from Your grace and is gratefully received. Draw me to You oh Lord, through the mercy of Jesus Christ, amen.
City Life Starter 
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