PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Leviticus 10-12
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“Fire came out from the presence of the Lord and consumed them.” (Leviticus 10:2)
I won’t focus on the clean, unclean and purification chapters (11,12), though they do tie in.
Taken together these stories are impressing on the people the holiness and seriousness of God.
This scene with Nadab and Abihu consumed by fire doesn’t seem to reflect Jesus (Luke 9:54-56).
And yet there seems to be an important reminder here (see 1 Corinthians 10:6).
Several times in the bible strong punishment occurs at times of new beginnings.
Like Achan and his family after Jericho, or Ananias and Sapphira just after Pentecost.
This is a teaching story written for later generations to show the seriousness of rejecting God.
Dramatic experiences etch themselves into our hearts and minds, so that we do not forget.
But we do still forget, and though consequences do not occur right away, they do occur.
When we dabble in temptation (stealing, lying, sexual sin, drugs), we are playing with fire.
Some people get caught right away, others get away with it… but it’s only a matter of time.
Whether immediate or gradual, the destructive fire of sin does burn us, and others.
Jesus also warned about hands and eyes and sin, and the fires of Gehenna (Matthew 5:29-30).
He speaks through this God-breathed story: ‘don’t play with fire, you will get burned!’
PRAYER
Lord, playing with sin is playing with fire, and we do get burned, as well as others around us. Etch this lesson in my heart and mind, so that I will repent of the sins I still dabble in.
Setting the ‘ground rules’ of how to live with a Holy God’ in your presence – especially when you’ve been ordained for a special purpose – had to be learned and respected – there are consequences for trivial behaviour. Even Holy Communion must not be taken lightly – but respected. This first incident set the stage for hot taking the righteousness of God too lightly. It was a terrible shock for Aaron I’m sure. It should also shock us to ‘fear’ God – respect Him as Holy – Almighty Sovereign and loveing God! I too need this reminder – that dabbling in sin is serious – I could get burned!
Be holy for I am holy says my God.
Be clean and live according to His Word. Do this and live – that is what the Master said.
And as the people then had a priest to make atonement I have Christ Jesus Who paid my debt and made me free – free to serve Him.
1 Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
Early in the morning our song shall rise to thee.
Holy, holy, holy! Merciful and mighty!
God in three Persons, blessed Trinity!
2 Holy, holy, holy! All the saints adore thee,
casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea;
cherubim and seraphim falling down before thee,
who wert, and art, and evermore shalt be.
3 Holy, holy, holy! Though the darkness hide thee,
though the eye of sinful man thy glory may not see,
only thou art holy; there is none beside thee
perfect in pow’r, in love, and purity.
4 Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
All thy works shall praise thy name in earth and sky and sea.
Holy, holy, holy! Merciful and mighty!
God in three Persons, blessed Trinity!