Prayer: Father, may what You authorize and command, be what I do and obey. Amen.
Reading: Leviticus 10 key: vs. 1-2
Now Aaron’s sons Nadab and Abihu each took his own censer, put fire in it, laid incense over it, and offered unauthorized fire before Adonai—which He had not commanded them. 2 So fire came out from the presence of Adonai and consumed them. So they died before Adonai
Attention: The actions of Aarons sons Nadab and Abihu seem to be as equally offensive as their father’s in making the golden calf. Yet, his sons were struck down immediately. The difference seems to be the offense in relation to the timing of instruction. Adonai was in the process of giving Moses instruction on the Ten Word or Commandments. Instruction had not yet been given. The Levitical instructions found in Leviticus had been given and Aaron and his sons had been anointed.
We see in the death of Nadab and Abihu, the seriousness of following Adonai’s instruction. Primarily, we are taught and witness Adonai’s longsuffering regarding sin and it’s offensiveness to God throughout scripture. Yet, we have examples like Nadab and Abihu, and Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1-11), which created “great fear (came) over the whole community and all who heard these things.” One has to figure that the example of judgement upon both examples brought immediate corrective attitudes toward following Adonai’s instructions and lying to the Holy Spirit.
Another consideration is the solemnity of knowing Adonai’s instructions and being ignorant. It seems that Nadab and Abihu both acted intentionally against God’s instructions. The phrase “each took his own censer, put fire in it,” creates an image of willful disobedience.
I know in my own life, there is a sense of the chance of sudden death in crossing lines of sinful disobedience which I know is offensive to Adonai. There is an awe and respect of Adonai, that I just will not cross. Does that mean that the enemy doesn’t test my resolve? I think even more so we become targets as emissaries of the Sovereign.
All sin leads to death. All sin is worthy of death. Some sin is worthy of immediate death. The only answer to resolve and absolve sin is the blood of Yeshua, which cleanses us from all sin.
Action: The example of Nadab and Abihu causes me to choose obedience to Adonai’s instruction.
Yield: Adonai is serious about the boundaries He gives us. I yield to His authority.
Engage: I choose to live life in cooperation with the Holy Spirit.
Relationship: I choose to be One with Adonai.
Prayer: Father, it is not enough to know what to do and not do it. You have given me instructions for living. It is my choice to obey. Amen.
Memory Verse: 1 John 1:8-10
8 If we say we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us.
Music Video: Jeremy Riddle—Purify My Heart https://youtu.be/zkqJHUJlKVM
Remember, “Abide in Yeshua, today!”