http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Leviticus%208-10&version=NIV
Chapters 8 to 10 of Leviticus focus on the Aaronic priesthood. In Exodus 29, the instructions for the ordination and consecration of Aaron and his sons are outlined. In Leviticus chapter 8, these instructions have now been fulfilled.
So what is a priest and why were they important? Jewish priests were chosen by God, were representatives of the people before God, offered sacrifices for the people before God, and interceded for the people before God.
Chapter 8 details the ordination of Aaron and his sons as priests. Chapter 9 details the ministry of the priests, and chapter 10 tells us of the death of Aaron’s sons, Nadab and Abihu. Let’s look at this incident a bit more closely.
First, let’s back up to chapter 9 verse 23:
“Moses and Aaron then went into the Tent of Meeting. When they came out, they blessed the people; and the glory of the LORD appeared to all the people.”
You may ask, what is up with all of these offerings? According to Bob Deffingbaugh at Bible.org,
“The purpose of these offerings is to make preparations for the revelation of the glory of God to the people, and so the glorious conclusion to the chapter is the revelation of God’s glory.” (9:23)
Immediately after this in chapter 10, we see that Nadab and Abihu offered up “unauthorized fire” to God, and God refused this fire. This sounds harsh, does it not? But I would like you to see the end of verse 1, “contrary to his command.” This was a willful disobedience of the Lord’s commands. And the striking thing about it is that it probably happened very soon after their ordination as priests. They had already begun to walk in disobedience.
Second, and I do not want to stress this point too far, but it could be made by inference from the text, that Nadab and Abihu were under the influence of alcohol when they did this. See verses 8 and 9 of chapter 10. We do not know this for certain; however, right here in Leviticus chapter 10, we see the dangers of alcohol as told in the Word of God. Abstinence of alcohol was required by the priests when they entered the Tent of Meeting. We all know about the dangers of alcohol and its excesses. Many fine Christians drink. Martin Luther enjoyed a beer often, but, we as Christians must not let alcohol rule our bodies or become drunk. We should be filled with the Spirit and not be drunk with wine, as Paul states in Ephesians 5:18.
So, what lesson can we take from Nadab and Abihu? I would say first and foremost, we should take the holiness of God very seriously. How does that look like in the life of a New Testament believer? Let’s look at what Paul says about this in regards to the Lord’s Supper:
“Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself. That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep. But if we judged ourselves, we would not come under judgment. When we are judged by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be condemned with the world.”
1 Corinthians 11:27-33
Secondly, we should not only take holiness seriously, we should pursue holiness in our lives. The author of Hebrews writes,
“Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.”
Hebrews 12:14
As New Testament believers, Jesus Christ now serves as our high priest. He intercedes for us, He sacrificed for us, He represents us, and He loves us. I wish I had more space to discuss Jesus Christ as our priest. We will discuss this in more detail as we continue our reading of the Bible this year. But let me share with you what the writer of Hebrews has to say about Jesus as our high priest:
“Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil— and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham's descendants. For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.”
Hebrews 2:14-18
Praise be to God that we have a faithful high priest who does not offer sacrifices or offerings that will be refused by God. A priest who knows how we are being tempted, and who can help us through those temptations. As you go throughout today, take some time to meditate on Jesus and how great of a priest He is for you and me.
Soli Deo Gloria
Today’s post was submitted by Russ Shellhamer
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Russ, my man, good lesson today!!
ReplyDeleteThanks, I needed to hear it...
**Just a comment about holiness-->We will never be truly sanctified, holy, or glorified until we finally see God in all His glory, as we are welcomed into Heaven;however, I need to make a serious effort to be holy, and to be a living sacrifice as well as a witness for Christ.
I feel it is ok for people to consume alcohol, but the line is very fine. Very few people are even able to drink responsibly-->Most feel they are ok as long as they don't drive drunk, start a fight, miss work, etc. But, being that James teaches us all about how mankind cannot control his/her tongue, in most cases, after the ingestion of just a litle bit too much, all people are very vulnerable to becoming doers of evil, and to speaking very poorly.
I know a handful of people at Second Baptist who have grandparents that were around ever since the first day the church was in existence, and at that time Second frowned upon drinking.
Not to even begin to say that drinking will prevent salvation or that lack of drinking will ensure salvation, but after many out of control years of life, being sober is so wonderful(not that I don't like to get "hopped up" on the coffee bean every single day).
1Peter 1:13-16-->Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
**The remainder of 1Peter chapter one is worth a good read...
**I make reference to these verses because as opposed to merely drinking to relax, most people drink because it is a form of lusting of the heart.
Peace and love!!!
They offered a “strange fire”. Today, I think we are doing the same thing. Offering to God, fire that is not authorized by Him. Religious works void of the Spirit of God. Today, instead of the churches being full of the power of God, they are filled with mere human intellect and natural talent. When we backslide, most of us might not go into “overt sins” rather we move into more religious works! Driving ourselves harder and harder to do “good” things for God while our heart is far from Him.
ReplyDeleteHow do I know this? I’ve offered strange fire to God many times. It is easy to hide from my friends my backslidden state by doing more religious works.
What we don’t need is another committee meeting, more dynamic personalities, more of our plans. What we need is to fall on our face before Him, seek Him with all our heart, hear from Him then get up and by faith do what He is telling us to do. And you know what; we’ll be surprised by how much God works through us as we do it His way!
Remember the last days church will be characterized in two ways: A church which thinks it is rich and in need of nothing Rev 3:17 and one full of the power of the Holy Spirit performing supernatural works. Acts 2:17 and 18