Leviticus 1:1 – Be ready to hear from God

Moses was God’s chosen leader for His people. He was one whom God had granted the privilege of going into His presence on many occasions. When God wanted to make Israel His chosen people and royal priesthood, He summoned Moses up to His presence on Mount Sinai. He wanted to communicate this plan of His to His people through him. Then when He wanted the Tabernacle to be built so that He could be with His people, He again beckoned him up to Mount Sinai. There He showed him the pattern and plan and instructed him to build it accordingly. What about the time Moses negotiated and pled for mercy for the people of Israel after they had incurred the wrath of God by building the golden calf? On all those occasions, Moses had the honor to commune with God close-up. But once the Lord had taken up residency in the Tent of meeting, Moses’ access to God’s presence was restricted. So, in Exodus 40:34-35 we are told that ^“Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. Moses was not able to enter the tent of meeting because the cloud had settled on it, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.”

Here in the opening verse of Leviticus 1, we see the continuation of that scene. Moses could not enter the Tent of meeting because God’s glory had filled it. His presence had filled the Tent. The closest Moses could come was outside the tent. God spoke to him from within the tent and gave him instructions on matters pertaining to worship. The thought we have here is about Moses posturing himself to hear from God. He was in a stance of readiness to receive God’s instruction. Do we always assume this disposition? Do we adopt an ever-ready attitude to listen to God? Are we like Moses, always milling around the presence of God so that we can hear His beckoning immediately? This first verse of Leviticus challenges us to be ever ready, whether in attitude or posture, to be ready to respond to God when He speaks. We must take the time and draw near to His presence if we want to hear from God. Like Mary of Bethany in John 12, let us make time to sit at Jesus’ feet and listen to His heart.