Honest Worship

Parashat Tzav, Leviticus 6:1–8:36

Mary Haller, Tikvat Israel, Richmond, VA

Our portion this week includes the foundational command given by God to the priests to keep the fire on the altar before the tabernacle burning day and night (Lev 6:8–9). This command can be seen as a constant reminder of our God’s desire to be in communication with his people. He wants to be connected to his creation. As his created beings, it is vital for us to remember he is completely holy, perfect and clean. As humans we are not perfect. I believe we need to enter the presence of the Lord with an honest, open heart. God sees exactly who we are and knows our every thought. We can’t hide anything, so being honest in our worship is essential to presenting our offering as a sweet aroma. 

Let us also keep in mind that the fire would consume what the priests placed upon it. As the fire burned the offering, the smells were sweet and would waft toward the heavens until reaching the Throne of God. This beautiful picture of what a sacrificial offering produces is a learning tool for us today. Leviticus is a book rich with details of sacrifice and offerings. In contrast with previous books of the Torah, the people are not on a physical journey. They remain at a specific location for what turns out to be an important purpose.

Over the past few weeks, we read about the trials associated with Israel’s trek through the desert in the process of leaving behind their past in Egypt and beginning something new. Leviticus (Vayikra in Hebrew) builds upon what was established in Exodus. At first read it may pose more questions than it answers. Much like the journey through the desert the Israelites experienced, Leviticus takes us on a journey through our own metaphorical desert to learn how to find a stronger relationship with our God through intimate sacrifice. Some of us, perhaps, will find God’s love for the first time. Others will journey to find holiness as the only way to God and to learn how God is all holy and only receives holiness.

Living life on planet Earth in 2024 is radically different than it was back at the foot of Mount Sinai. The constant is that the God they honored through meticulous service is the same God we are called to honor today.

In Genesis 8:15–21, Noah was the first to build an altar and offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving to his God for sparing the lives of his family and the animals through the days of the horrific rainstorm. God had given Noah instructions to follow prior to the rains arriving, detailed instructions to build the Ark of safety. Noah showed his love and trust for God by following the instructions and building the Ark. When the rain stopped and the waters subsided, the family exited the Ark. Genesis 8 clearly states Noah offered the best he had in clean animals and birds as a sacrifice showing his heart of thankfulness. The pleasant aroma of sacrifice reached the heavens to be enjoyed by God.

Tzav is our reminder to continue to practice sacrificial worship in our lives today. How do we do this? Let’s take a moment to reflect on two questions. First, what is considered a sacrifice today? And second, where is the altar? 

Today, we don’t have the Temple as in the days of the prophets, and we don’t have a physical place we know as the Holy of Holies. We can’t just step outside of our homes and build an altar that we keep a literal fire on day and night as the priests did in the days of Moses. There are laws to prevent us from searching around our neighborhoods for clean animals or birds. Needless to say, our modern day barbecue grills are not exactly designed for constant readiness. 

After many years of processing, I like to think of my heart’s intent as the fire always ready to carry the sacrificial aroma of my living sacrifice to the Throne of God. My life is the altar upon which the sacrifice is placed. Everything I do and everything I say and think regarding holiness, prayer, serving, sharing the Good News of the Scriptures, and just living are my sacrifices.

Choosing to consistently and intentionally live a life that honors the God of the Torah, in my understanding, is acceptable sacrifice in our modern-day world. We must aim to keep our heart fire hot by choosing to love and live in ways that bring honor to the God of our forefathers. Perhaps it is easier to say living selflessly should be our goal.

Noah’s altar of sacrifice was the picture of newness after the earth had been cleansed. The priestly rituals were designed to keep the tent of meeting pure and holy. Now we live in the days after Yeshua sacrificed all for everyone to have unlimited access to God. The dwelling of God’s heavenly place continues to be open to us through the Ruach.  

What is available to us today is beyond my understanding. We should strive to remember God is holy and his Ruach dwells within each of us who trust in him. “Or don’t you know that your body is a temple of the Ruach ha-Kodesh who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought with a price. Therefore glorify God in your body” (1 Cor 6:19–20).

Trusting God to provide, trusting God to lead, and waiting patiently during challenging times is our sacrifice of worship. In Noah’s day God provided the wisdom needed to face uncertain times. He still does today.

Let us not forget the words of Leviticus 6:6: “Fire is to be kept burning on the altar continuously —it must not go out.” Honest living for God is honest worship.

 Honest worship will send a sweet aroma of sacrifice that will reach our God and bring him honor.

Scripture references are from the Tree of Life Version (TLV).