Leviticus 21:9-24 – Only the best for God

In Leviticus 21, God specifically addressed the priests. He gave three aspects that they must observe since they were called to serve the Holy God. In verses 1-8, we saw how God expected the ordinary priest to observe mourning and marriage regulations to maintain a consecrated life. As we focus on the remaining portion of Leviticus 21, we see two more aspects to be observed in the priesthood. In verses 10-15, God turned to give additional instructions to the high priest concerning the mourning rites and marriage. God made a stricter demand since his accountability as the high priest was greater. Before we deal with verses 10-15, we must look at the issue in verse 9. This seems like a floating verse. It’s probably placed here because both the ordinary priest and the high priest must see to it that this did not happen to their daughters. God forbade their daughters to go into prostitution. Engaging temple prostitutes was a common feature of the pagan worship in Canaan. God wanted to ensure that not only should the priest maintain personal holiness, they must see to it that their family members also observe holy living. Hence, they must make sure that their daughters did not prostitute themselves.  

In verses 10-15, God then turned to talk about the requirements about mourning rites and marriage for the high priest. God made tighter demands on the high priest. Because of the anointing he carried, he was not allowed to grief like the ordinary priests. Verse 10 indicates that he was not to uncover his head or tear his clothes. In other words, his hair must not be disheveled, and his clothes not torn. While the ordinary priests were allowed to attend the funeral of their close relatives, the high priest was not even allowed to go near the dead body of even his own father or mother. Furthermore, for marriage, he could only marry a virgin. A high priest also did not go out of the sanctuary. This does not mean that he was imprisoned in the sanctuary but rather that he was to maintain a consecrated life where he would be at God’s beck and call anytime.

Worshipping and serving God is never a casual thing. It must not be done flippantly. Hence it matters much for the people who were called to lead in these holy matters.  Those with physical impediments were not allowed to conduct the service. Verses 18-20 stipulate that, “…no one who has a defect shall approach: a blind man, or a lame man, or he who has a disfigured face, or any deformed limb, or a man who has a broken foot or broken hand, or a hunchback or a dwarf, or one who has a defect in his eye or eczema or scabs or crushed testicles”. However, they were allowed to eat of the priestly portion.

What can we take away from these instructions given to the priests? God must be given the best. Our standard in conduct and what we bring to Him must be of the best qualities. We do not give to God our leftovers. He deserves our best. Total wholeness is not confined to just us personally but also to our family members and those whom we have authority and influence over. We are challenged to make sure that everyone within our sphere of influence will give to God their best. We are responsible to train them to honor God!