DEVOTION – DAY 314

Leviticus 10:1-3 “Disobeying God”

 

Leviticus 10:1-3 “Aaron’s sons Nadab and Abihu took their censers, put fire in them and added incense; and they offered unauthorized fire before the Lord, contrary to His command. So, fire came out from the presence of the Lord and consumed them, and they died before the Lord. Moses then said to Aaron, “This is what the Lord spoke of when He said, “Among those who approach me, I will be proved holy; in the sight of all the people, I will be honored.” Aaron remained silent.”

 

Through Moses, God had instructed the Israelites with detailed instructions regarding how to approach Him in worship, and in the offering of various sacrifices. This was God’s way to show His people that He would dwell amongst them by filling the Tabernacle with His presence. The detailed instructions were God’s way of teaching the people how to an unholy people could come before the presence of the Holy Living God of the Universe. Aaron and his sons had to carry out duties as priests. The problem was that Aaron sons, Nadab and Abihu had taken a casual attitude to their work. They failed in following Moses’ instructions. In Leviticus 10:1, it was recorded that Nadab and Abihu took their censers and after putting hot coals in them, they added incense to the censers and offered them to God. They were not authorized to do so. This showed that they disregarded instructions given by God and their disobedience revealed disrespect to God. So, God sent a fire from the Tabernacle that killed Aaron’s two sons. The death was tragic and may seem harsh. But we have to remember that the setting up of the Tabernacle and the execution of the system of sacrifices and offerings to God according to God’s instruction was the start of a new period in the people’s relationship with God. God is holy and He wanted to teach people that they could only approach Him in the way He has given to them. No other way is allowed. This of course points to the way God would ultimately give to humanity as a means to approach Him – through His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. There is no other way.

 

We know a couple who finds it hard to accept that Jesus is the only way to God. They even argue that Jesus may not even be real, that Jesus could be a legend. They find it hard to accept how a figure who was said to live 2000 years ago could possibly have an impact on their future destiny. They would rather trust in their own resources, on doing good deeds. Without realizing it, this couple was choosing to approach God in their own way, rather than the way that God had given. They had failed to understand that God and His Kingdom belongs to God and if they want to enter and be a part of God’s Kingdom, they would have to accept God’s entry requirements. Failure to follow God’s instructions will lead to disaster as Nadab and Abihu found out.

 

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, your Word is to be obeyed and not altered to suit us. Help us to always realize that we exist for you, and not that you exist to suit us. We pray this the precious name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

 

Questions

  1. Why do people want to follow a God that suits their ideas and thinking rather than to change and follow the God of the Bible? Discuss.
  2. What are some of God’s teachings you find difficulty in accepting and why? Share.
  3. Why must you accept God’s Word in its entirety and not be selective in following His Word? Discuss.
  4. How does this devotion teach you about the holiness of God?