Strange Fire…(Continued)
And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the LORD, which he commanded them not.
And there went out fire from the LORD, and devoured them, and they died before the LORD. Then Moses said unto Aaron, This is it that the LORD spake, saying, I will be sanctified in them that come nigh me, and before all the people I will be glorified. And Aaron held his peace. (Leviticus 10:1-3)
THE BOOK OF GENESIS IS ABOUT THE BEGINNING of God’s creation. The book of Exodus is about the chosen people, he Jewish people, coming out of Egypt. Leviticus is about these people learning to worship and walk with God. Deuteronomy is the “2nd law,” or Moses’ rehearsal of the Law before he goes to the mountain to die. These five books are called: The Pentateuch, or the five books. (Our Pentagon in Washington is a five-sided building.)
GENESIS IS RELATED TO "GENERATOR, GENETICS, GYNECOLOGIST." Exodus is related to our signs over the outside doors of public buildings: “EXIT.” Leviticus is related to one of the sons of Israel: Levi. The Tribe of Levi was the tribe in charge of the tabernacle and the sacrificial system of blood atonement. Deuteronomy relates to “two, or second.” Two people sing a song and it is called a “duet.” The Jews call these five books: The Torah.
GOD HAD BROUGHT THE JEWISH SLAVES OUT OF EGYPT and they were moving through the wilderness, through the Red Sea and toward the land God promised to Abraham, The Promised Land. But this untaught mass of slaves who treaded the mud pits of Egypt for almost 400 years to make bricks for Pharaoh’s building program knew nothing about God and knew nothing about civilization. They had to be taught and regimented into a nation. Not easy.
IT WAS A BURDEN ALMOST TOO HARD FOR MOSES TO BEAR. I have great respect for Moses, the man of God that saw God face-to-face as no other human being.
And the LORD spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend. And he turned again into the camp: but his servant Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, departed not out of the tabernacle. (Exodus 33:11) The “face to face” phrase above needs some explaining. I quote from the Bible Knowledge Commentary (BKC):
“MOSES WAS INTIMATE WITH GOD IN THE TENT erected outside the camp. There people could go to inquire of the Lord, apparently for spiritual guidance. This tent, though it was not the tabernacle, was also called the tent of meeting.
“WHEN MOSES ENTERED HE TENT, the pillar of cloud (cf. Exodus 13:21) hovered at its entrance. The size and contents of this tent are not known, but it reminded the people that their sin was an alienating force in their relationship with God. They could worship God but from a distance (Exodus 33:10); He was outside their community.
“GOD WOULD SPEAK TO MOSES FACE TO FACE, as a man speaks with his friend (Exodus 33:11), that is, clearly and openly. Moses’ speaking “face to face” with God does not contradict the fact that he was not allowed to see God’s face (Exodus 33:20) as “face to face” is a figurative expression suggesting openness and friendship (cf. Numbers 12:8; Deuteronomy 34:10; and (comment on this at John 1:18: No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him. (John 1:18)
“JOSHUA STAYED IN THE TENT, perhaps to care for it in some way when Moses would return to the camp. (Bible Knowledge Commentary- Dallas Seminary) (Verse added.)
AND NOW TO OUR TEXT FOR TODAY ABOUT NADAB AND ABIHU. Today’s article is about obedient holiness and disobedient unholiness and the consequences. Moses talked with God. Nadab and Abihu talked to each other and hatched up an unholy plan. It was a sad day for Aaron and his family. Aaron was not permitted to mourn the loss of his two oldest sons.
THIS OCCURRED AT THE VERY BEGINNING OF THE ORDINATION OR LAUNCHING OF THE JEWISH PRIESTHOOD. It was a big deal. Aaron’s sons were dead but he had to remain at his post and complete his part of the ceremony. Reading Leviticus 10 is important at this point.
WIERSBE HAS AN EXCELLENT COMMENT ABOUT THIS INCIDENT: “It may seem strange to us that God killed Nadab and Abihu instead of merely warning them, but often at the beginning of a new era in salvation history, the Lord brought judgment in order to warn the people. The priestly ministry at the tabernacle was about to begin, and the Lord wanted to be sure the priests understood the seriousness of their work.
“WHEN ISRAEL ENTERED THE PROMISED LAND, God used Achan’s disobedience as a warning (Joshua 7), and the death of Uzzah was His warning when the ark was brought to Jerusalem (2 Samuel 6:1-7). (Uzzah touched the ark that was on a cart when the ox stumbled. The ark was not supposed to be carried on a cart. The priests were supposed to carry it. Sometimes it takes a lot for God to get our attention. dc)
“EARLY IN THE CHURCH AGE, THE DEATH OF ANANIAS AND SAPPHIRA served as a warning to the saints not to try to lie to God. (Acts 5) It wasn’t enough for the priests merely to teach the people the difference between the holy and the unholy; they also had to practice it in their own lives. This is one of he burdens of the message of Ezekiel the prophet (Ezekiel 22:26; 42:20; 44:23; 48:14-15). We’ll need to come back here tomorrow. Ω
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RhG2CBVQy3w&t=3095s NOTE: “This link on “Strange Fire” will work on a computer and you can move the time line to the left. If opens on my iPhone but cannot move the timeline. Hope you can watch it on your computer”.
Read Through the Bible in a Year
MAY 16, 2019 – THURSDAY
A.M. 2 Kings 15-17 P.M. John 6:1-21
(Bible Gateway will read this to you if you like. Look for the speaker icon.)
Good Verses to Memorize:
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. (1Peter 1:15-16)
Song for Today:
Springs of Living Water (2:14) (Melody Four -Male Quartet)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ghm4Jz2afaE
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