They shall be holy unto their God, and not profane the name of their God: for the offerings of the Lord made by fire, and the bread of their God, they do offer: therefore they shall be holy. Leviticus 21:6
Because the priests, like every one called to be a leader in the church, offered the bread of their God, even the offerings of the Lord made by fire, which were the provisions of God's house and table. They are highly honoured, and therefore must not stain their honour by making themselves slaves to their passions; they are continually employed in sacred service, and therefore must not be either diverted from or disfitted for the services they were called to do. If they pollute themselves, they profane the name of their God on whom they attend: if the servants are rude and of ill behaviour, it is a reflection upon the master, as if he kept a loose and disorderly house. Therefore, all that either offer or eat the bread of our God must be holy in all manner of conversation, or else they profane that name which they pretend to sanctify.
God, as a refiner and purifier, Malachi 3:3 promised to purify and purge the sons of Levi, all those that are devoted to his praise and employed in his service, as the tribe of Levi was, and whom he designs to make unto our God spiritual priests, so that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness. We cannot offer unto the Lord any right performances in religion unless our persons be justified and sanctified. Till we ourselves be refined and purified by the grace of God, we cannot do any thing that will redound to the glory of God.
The Character of Priests that Honour God's Name
Priests are to be holy so as not to profane the name of God. Leaders are to be holy above the old testament priest so as not to profane the name of Christ because Jesus said the righteousness of the new testament saints must exceed the righteousness of scribes and Pharisees who follows the old testament examples. Matthew 5:20. The call is to be exemplary in character and every conversation like Paul told Timothy, 1Timothy 4:12, told Titus, "In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity." Titus 2:7. While Peter told church leaders, "neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock." 1 Peter 5:3 Anything short of these from leaders will certainly dishonour God's name and disqualify any such person from church leadership. any unqualified leader will need to pray like David, "Create in me a clean heart, O God; And renew a right spirit within me."
The Consequences of Profaning the Holiness of God's Nature
Nadab and Abihu, (Leviticus 10:1,2) the sons of Aron, recruited into the priesthood along with their father who was the High Priest as at the time suffered the consequence of profaning the holiness of God. Those serving God with hypocrisy, double standard life are profaning the name of God. They may not die instantly like Nadab and Abihu because God is "...not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." 2 Peter 3:9 but failure to repent can turn such to eternal death in hell. None will profane the name of God, call God in vain and go free "because"for our God is a consuming fire." Hebrews 12:29
The Conversion and Purity of Heart in God's Newness
Real conversion leads to purity of heart, that is why God told Moses to tell the Priests, "therefore they shall be holy". To enjoy the goodness of God there must be the newness brought about by genuine repentance from profanity and sins to purity and holiness. Those who God had called into His service must be holy, "...For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required:..." Luke 12:48b
Pray
- That God will find you worthy to serve in His vineyard.
- That God will purge every profanity, hypocrisy and double standard living from your heart.
- That God will raise holy leaders to lead His church.
- That remove any leader not planted by Him in the churches in Jesus name.