HALLEUYAH! HALLELUYAH!! HALLELUYAH!!!
RELEASE DATE: March 21, 2022
WEEK 11: (March 21 – March 27, 2022)
WEEKLY BIBLE READINGS:
Leviticus 10: 1-2; Ephesians 5:6 (NIV)
1Aaron’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. 2 So fire came out from the presence of the Lord and consumed them, and they died before the Lord.
6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient.
INTERPRETATION
When there’s no law, there’s no sin. When instructions are non-existent, the violation becomes imaginary. We are humans and we have choices to make. Adam and Eve had choices, they chose one and their option was in total disobedience to God’s instructions.
In the scripture under review, Nadab and Abihu, nephews of Moses and two oldest sons of Aaron, had been with Moses and Aaron in the hallowed mount; they had looked upon the glorious vision of God as He appeared on Sinai; they had been chosen and consecrated to the priesthood; they had stood by and assisted Aaron in the first operations of the Hebrew ritual. But, from the mount of vision, they fell into the pit of destruction. They were accepted priests yesterday; they are disgraced victims of God’s holy indignation the day after.
It was the prerogative of Moses or Aaron to say when their services were needed, but they went to work without waiting for instructions or asking for directions. It was for the high priest alone to go in before the Lord and offer incense at the mercy-seat, but they wickedly encroached upon His functions and went in themselves. Nevermore than one priest was to officiate in burning incense at the same time, but they both together entered upon a service which did not belong to either.
In addition, these things in themselves demonstrate a very high-handed disregard of the Divine order. But the great burden of their sin rested in the matter of the service. They “offered strange fire”—common fire—fire wholly foreign to the fire which God had kindled for such purposes. They thus imposed what was profane into what was holy, desecrated God’s ritual, cast contempt upon His institutions, put their own will-worship above His sacred regulations, and thus called down upon themselves a judgment which made all Israel tremble – they were destroyed by God because they offered an “authorized” fire before God.
Beloved, this is a reminder never to disobey God; it’s our duty to follow His precept and instructions diligently. Paul in the letter to Ephesians says that the wrath of God comes on those who are disobedient. There are many instances of those that have suffered God’s wrath because of disobedience, from Adam and Eve to Cain and Abel to David to Ahab, including Nadab and Abihu and many more. All these people suffered severe consequences as a result of their disobedience. So that we will not attract God’s wrath, let’s refrain from disobedience and cling to the eternal rock. Obedience is better than sacrifice.
PRAYER
Jehovah, Jesus Christ, Holy Michael, thank you for your word. Father, we pray you to purge us of all iniquities, forgive us our sins, particularly that which relate to disobedience. Sanctify us and have mercy on us. Give us the spirit that would help obey you accordingly; enable us to follow your precepts and instructions and strengthen us to stay in your love. This and many more we ask for through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Thank you and God bless. Shalom.
Footnote: “A life without Christ is full of crisis but life in Christ is a great life full of peace. Let that be your Guide & Guard”
Isaiah 59:1 – Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened that it cannot save, neither his ear heavy that it cannot hear”