September 30, 2021 -- Leviticus 9:7-9 -- Understanding the Horn of Salvation
/Then Moses said to Aaron, “Draw near to the altar and offer your sin offering and your burnt offering and make atonement for yourself and for the people, and bring the offering of the people and make atonement for them, as the Lord has commanded.”
8 So Aaron drew near to the altar and killed the calf of the sin offering, which was for himself. 9 And the sons of Aaron presented the blood to him, and he dipped his finger in the blood and put it on the horns of the altar and poured out the blood at the base of the altar.
Leviticus 9:7-9 ESV
The horns of the altar are the projections at the four corners of the altar. When someone, afraid for his life, takes hold of the horns of the altar, he is granted sanctuary until a decision could be made about his case. Think of I Kings 1:50-53 where Adonijah, the brother of King Solomon rose up in rebellion against Solomon to name himself king. When caught out he took hold of the horns of the altar. Solomon then considered his case and dealt mercifully with him.
This directly links us to the Person and work of Jesus Christ. In Zechariah’s prophecy the prophet Zechariah rejoices that the LORD God of Israel “has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David” (Luke 1:68-69). See the beautiful link between the Old Testament and the New.
As Christians we know the blood of Jesus Christ, given when He voluntarily laid down His life at the cross, gives us sanctuary with God. The blood of Jesus Christ makes propitiation for us—the rightful anger of God against our sin has been spent on the Person of Jesus and we are declared righteous through the obedience of Jesus Christ. God the Father has dealt mercifully with us! Jesus is for us, the horn of salvation, our sanctuary and our song.
When the Holy Spirit makes you aware of your sin, turn away from sinning. Confess it. Pray to the Father on the basis of Jesus’ accomplished work. Ask the Spirit to strengthen you for holy obedience, which is fueled by the joy of knowing Jesus, in Whom you are guarded in the love of God by the Spirit’s power.
With believers through-out the ages we praise You, O God, declaring:
I love You, O LORD, my strength.
You, LORD, are our Rock and our Fortress and our Deliverer,
Our God in Whom we take refuge.
The Shield of our Faith and the Horn of our Salvation,
Our Stronghold forever.
The LORD lives, and blessed be the Rock of our Salvation.
Amen.
(Prayer based on Psalm 18:1-2, 46)
https://youtu.be/VGAaRtkovZQ
