"You must stay at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting day and night for seven days and do what the Lord requires, so you will not die; for that is what I have been commanded." Leviticus 8:35
It was happening. The ordination process had begun, and there was no turning back. The priests were to be consecrated, or the worst could happen; they would die. For Aaron and his sons, they had two choices: give it all, or lose it all.
There are few things in life that require such commitment. Two come to mind - having a baby and going to war. Although I have never gone to war, I can remember my military days of preparing for it. Even as a personnel officer, death can be a reality. Enemy lines can quickly shift, and friendly fire can bring disaster.
I also remember the commitment it took to have children - not so much mine, but that of my wife. Despite the amount of warning, there is a point when the reality of childbirth starts to overtake a first-time parent. The baby that has been ever-present yet unseen can no longer stay hidden. There is no turning back... excitement and terror are strange bedfellows.
My guess is that Aaron and his sons experienced similar excitement and terror. The God of the universe had chosen them for His service. There was no turning back.
Lord, help me sieze the commitment that is required to follow You. To be holy requires two choices: give it all, or lose it all. I confess that I haven't been as committed as I should be. The boundaries have been taken lightly; the invisible enemy line has shifted, and without Your intervention, the friendly fire will no longer be friendly. Give me the courage today to move forward.
There is no turning back.