3/11 Leviticus 9:24

²⁴ And fire came out from before the LORD and consumed the burnt offering and the pieces of fat on the altar, and when all the people saw it, they shouted and fell on their faces.

The presence of the LORD was in the Holy of Holies behind two veils. The first veil divided the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies. The second was the entrance to the Tabernacle. It separated the area in which the people came to bring their sacrifices and the area within the covered tent where the priests ministered to the LORD. The fire came out from the innermost sanctum of that covered tent, through the two curtains, to the altar. Apparently it did not consume the veils, but passed through them without harming them while consuming what was placed on the altar.

All the people had gathered to see the conclusion of the ordination of Aaron and his sons. They had completed seven days before the tent of meeting and the required sacrifices. They had been anointed with oil and blood of the sacrifice. When everything was completed and the final sacrifice placed on the altar, then the fire came out to confirm that God accepted all that was done according to His direction. At that moment, the people had no doubt that God had ordained Aaron and his sons to serve as priests. The appropriate fear of the LORD and respect for the priests were in their hearts, though some would soon forget.

What is the sign today that a person has been ordained to be priest of the LORD? The New Testament has every believer in the role of priest. We have been anointed with the blood of our sacrifice, Jesus, and the oil of the Holy Spirit. Our lives are living sacrifices, dedicated to His service. The fire of God is the passion in our souls to know Him and let Him live in and through us. When others see that fire, they are drawn to revere the LORD and hear the Word God delivered to them through us.

Consider: Am I willing to let the fire of God consume me so that my thoughts and actions reveal Jesus in me?