February 19, 2025 -Face Down Worship

LEVITICUS 9:1-11:47

Chronological Bible Readings

Leviticus 9:23 Moses and Aaron then went into the tent of meeting. When they came out, they blessed the people; and the glory of the Lord appeared to all the people. 24 Fire came out from the presence of the Lord and consumed the burnt offering and the fat portions on the altar. And when all the people saw it, they shouted for joy and fell facedown.

This reminded me of when Elijah went up against the prophets of Baal. (see the scripture below) God sent fire to consume the sacrifice. And God was made known. The people who witnessed it also fell facedown in worship. Pastor Rick had also referenced this scripture when he preached on Cain and Abel. He said that it is likely that they knew God favored Abel's sacrifice because God sent the fire for the sacrifice like He did for Elijah. Now seeing this so soon after that study it makes sense and seems more likely.

1Kings 18:30 Then Elijah said to all the people, “Come here to me.” They came to him, and he repaired the altar of the Lord, which had been torn down. 31 Elijah took twelve stones, one for each of the tribes descended from Jacob, to whom the word of the Lord had come, saying, “Your name shall be Israel.” 32 With the stones he built an altar in the name of the Lord, and he dug a trench around it large enough to hold two seahs of seed. 33 He arranged the wood, cut the bull into pieces and laid it on the wood. Then he said to them, “Fill four large jars with water and pour it on the offering and on the wood.”

34 “Do it again,” he said, and they did it again.

“Do it a third time,” he ordered, and they did it the third time. 35 The water ran down around the altar and even filled the trench.

36 At the time of sacrifice, the prophet Elijah stepped forward and prayed: “Lord, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, let it be known today that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant and have done all these things at your command. 37 Answer me, Lord, answer me, so these people will know that you, Lord, are God, and that you are turning their hearts back again.”

38 Then the fire of the Lord fell and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones and the soil, and also licked up the water in the trench.

39 When all the people saw this, they fell prostrate and cried, “The Lord—he is God! The Lord—he is God!”

Leviticus 10:1 Aaron’s sons Nadab and Abihu took their censers, put fire in them and added incense; and they offered unauthorized fire before the Lord, contrary to his command. 2 So fire came out from the presence of the Lord and consumed them, and they died before the Lord. 3 Moses then said to Aaron, “This is what the Lord spoke of when he said:

“‘Among those who approach me

    I will be proved holy;

in the sight of all the people

    I will be honored.’”

Aaron remained silent.

This also reminds me of the Cain and Abel story. Another unpleasing sacrifice. Just as Cain's sacrifice was displeasing because of the heart and intent of Cain, Aaron's sons hearts were also self-concerned without regard for God. God did not kill Cain he allowed him to live separated from God and his people. Here God says that He will be proved holy in the sight of all the people and be honored. The sacrifices that were given were not of hearts that were set on honoring the Lord.

Genesis 4:3 In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the Lord. 4 And Abel also brought an offering—fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The Lord looked with favor on Abel and his offering, 5 but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast.

Interesting that Cain's response to God was not to fall facedown but anger and a downcast face.