RPG Adults
HIGHER STANDARD OF HOLINESS FOR PRIESTS!
FRIDAY, JUNE 7
Leviticus 21
1 Peter 2:1-5
“…There shall none be defiled
for the dead among his people.”
HIGHER STANDARD OF HOLINESS FOR PRIESTS!
One of the three vows of a Nazarite was to not go near a dead, unclean animal which also included a dead person. The moment he went near one, he would be unclean, and he had to begin his Nazarite vow all over again after completing the process of spiritual cleansing. The reason was that he had been defiled. This holy requirement would last the entire period of his vow. In the case of the priests, they were to stay away from defilement all their lives. Therefore, they were not allowed to go near the dead. The moment they did so, they would become unclean, and were not permitted to enter the Temple or participate in any spiritual activity, including their duty as mediators in receiving the animal sacrifices of worshippers. If all the priests became unclean, then the worship of the LORD would stop. What if the dead were their own loved ones? The LORD made an exception for immediate family members like father, mother, children and brother. If the priest’s sister was a virgin, i.e. not married and not part of another family, then he would be permitted to defile himself. Otherwise, these loved ones would have no one to care for their burial preparations and to mourn for them.
This means that when the LORD gave them permission “to defile” themselves for their loved ones, it was no defilement at all. This would not affect their state of holiness to serve the LORD or their participation in any holy activity. But under no circumstances were they permitted to deliberately defile themselves for anyone or anything. The priests were also not permitted to shave their heads to the corner of their beards, and no tattoo or piercing was to be on any part of their bodies. This would make them unclean. The practice of marring facial hair and bodily parts was common in idolatrous worship, being based upon superstitions. This statute protected God’s priests from any form of idolatry. The priests had to understand the high calling of the spiritual duties they performed before God and man. They were a chosen generation. All born-again believers today are priests. Therefore, we need to be careful in all areas of our lives.
MEMORISATION: Leviticus 21:5
PRAYER: Keep me holy, O Father, and may I never forget the high calling given to all priests. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen.