The Priest Begin To Fail

God's people will never measure up without obeying him.

Leviticus 10:1-3 Aaron's sons Nadab and Abihu put coals of fire in their incense burners and sprinkled incense over them. In this way, they disobeyed the LORD by burning before him the wrong kind of fire, different than he had commanded.

2 So fire blazed forth from the LORD's presence and burned them up, and they died there before the LORD.

3 Then Moses said to Aaron, "This is what the LORD meant when he said, 'I will display my holiness through those who come near me. I will display my glory before all the people.'" And Aaron was silent.

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It is amazing how quick the gift of the priesthood and the benefits of "God with us" that the priesthood made possible was turned into a curse. It's no different than the way we treated the presence of God in Eden or how God's people turned their abundance in the promised land into a curse.

In the previous post we saw that God's glory was displayed when God's people were obedient in worshipping him but, like everything else that God gives us, we will see today that God's good gifts have always been rejected or perverted. 

It seems like Nadab and Abihu worked together in their sinful actions. Instead of listening to God and worshipping him correctly they found within each other the same prideful spirit that would make them boldly disobey God. Disobedience in general is a bad thing but to disobey God in worship is a very callous behavior that God has already addressed on several occasions. 

The two dead priest had many advantages in their lifetime, they were there when God rescued his people from Egypt, they were there when the Egyptians drowned, they were there when God descended on Mount Sinai and they were there when God shared a covenant meal with them. (Exodus 24:1-18) They were also there when their father made the golden calf for the people to worship.

 A casual reading of the story in Leviticus 10 doesn't make it very clear just how wrong their actions were. This list compiled from the Warren Wiersbe Bible Commentary shows us clearly how wrong their behavior was:

• They were the wrong people to be handling the incense and presenting it to the Lord. This was the task of their father, the high priest. (Exodus 30:7–10). 
• They also used the wrong instruments, their own censers instead of the censer of the high priest, sanctified by the special anointing oil. (Exodus 40:9). 
• They acted at the wrong time, for it was only on the annual day of Atonement that the high priest was permitted to take incense into the Holy of Holies, and even then he had to submit to a special ritual. (Leviticus 16:1)
• They acted under the wrong authority. They didn’t consult with Moses or their father, nor did they seek to follow the Word of God, which Moses had received. 
• They used the wrong fire, what Scripture calls "strange fire". The high priest was commanded to burn the incense on coals taken from the brazen altar. (Leviticus 16:12) 

Serving God isn't something to be done by our own rules and by our own power. We cannot bring honor to God by our disobedience. If we truly believe that God is perfect and his ways are perfect then we should seek to follow his perfect ways so that we will become more like him.

We can't explain adequately why God gave Aaron a second chance to worship correctly (Exodus 32:1-25), a mercy that was also extended to Cain (Genesis 4:1-16) but Nadab and Abihu were killed immediately just as we also see in the early church. (Acts 5:1-11)

Divine justice is difficult for us to understand, from our point of view it seems to be administered unfairly, only God knows why mercy and grace are given in some circumstances but not always. God has the right to give to any of us whatever he wants and we have no right to complain or accuse him. (Matthew 20:1-16)

Luke 12:5 But I'll tell you whom to fear. Fear God, who has the power to kill you and then throw you into hell. Yes, he's the one to fear.

Our world has reduced God to love and mercy so that they, and most of the church as well, can avoid the attributes of God that are seen as less perfect than the others. Jesus himself made it clear without apology that God's perfections includes his wrath, his justice and the right to elect those that would know him and be with him for eternity.

The failure of the Old Testament priest shows us the need that couldn't be met by an imperfect High Priest. The failures of the Old Testament priest grew so much that when Jesus comes to earth the High Priest and the priest under him are only holy in their own eyes.

1 Corinthians 10:11-13 These things happened to them as examples for us. They were written down to warn us who live at the end of the age. 12 If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall. 13 The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.

God's word shows us plenty of stories of human failure and tragedy so that we can learn from their mistakes and live for him. God knows that we will not turn from our own ways until we lose hope in our ways. 

The hope that the world gives is nothing more than hype. Their lies will get us nowhere in this life and it cannot stand next to the hope of the gospel that gives us a right relationship with God despite our failures.

Do you know the perfect High Priest that has the power to save and give you peace with God?

RELATED ARTICLES

3 Things You Should Know about Leviticus (ligonier.org)

Is There A Wrong Way To Worship God? (davidjeremiah.blog)

Involved With Worship

Is your worship a testimony to the world around you?

Genesis 14:17-20 After Abram returned from his victory over Kedorlaomer and all his allies, the king of Sodom went out to meet him in the valley of Shaveh (that is, the King’s Valley).

18 And Melchizedek, the king of Salem and a priest of God Most High, brought Abram some bread and wine. 19 Melchizedek blessed Abram with this blessing: “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. 20 And blessed be God Most High, who has defeated your enemies for you.”

Then Abram gave Melchizedek a tenth of all the goods he had recovered.

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Abram's nephew Lot was an innocent bystander in a local battle, the injustice of his captivity was the reason that Abram chose to get "Involved With Our World." Abram's response to the situation that his nephew was in is a great lesson on how we should respond to the injustice that we see all around us.

Abram was returning home from the battle when he was met by two kings, these two stand in contrast with one another, they are as different as the cities that they represent and Abram is wise in the way he responds to each of them.

Melchizedek, the righteous king of Jerusalem.

Abram was smart to be involved with the godly king before the worldly king, the king of righteousness and peace brought food and wine to celebrate the victory that God had given to Abram. They didn't have access to food like we have when we are traveling so Abram gladly accepted the refreshments from Melchizedek.

Although very little is known about Melchizedek, he provides an interesting example of a priest-king linked to Jerusalem. There appears to have been an expectation that later kings of Jerusalem should resemble him. (Psalm 110:4) The book of Hebrews presents Jesus Christ, from the royal line of David, as belonging to the “order of Melchizedek” and therefore superior to the Levitical priests. (Hebrews 5:5–10)

-ESV Study Bible notes

Abram's celebration with the priestly king is a great example for us, after a major victory we can lose our perspective, but this celebration included worship and part of worship is tithing. When we tithe as a part of our worship we are declaring that God is our provider and we trust him to continue to sustain us.

Abram tithed a tenth of the goods that were recovered from the war but he also offered what was left to the king of Sodom. Abram could have used this opportunity to increase the riches that God promised him but he allowed God to provide without any help from Abram's military success.

Bera, the king of Sodom,

Genesis 14:22-23 Abram replied to the king of Sodom, “I solemnly swear to the LORD, God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth, 23 that I will not take so much as a single thread or sandal thong from what belongs to you. Otherwise you might say, ‘I am the one who made Abram rich.’

The king of Sodom was probably shocked when his offer to Abram was rejected, Abram didn't get involved with the affairs of the world so that he could get rich, Abram was involved because he wanted to make right an injustice.

The response to Bera made it clear that Abram worshiped the one true God and his God would keep his promise to prosper Abram without any outside help. Abram proved that his involvement with the world was motivated by a desire for justice and mercy instead of riches.

Being involved in worship forced Bera to see Abram's beliefs in action. Worship is more than just giving God praise, it is also a witness to the world around us, they need to know that we believe in the one true God that he is the source of real mercy and justice. It is too bad that our worship is tucked away inside of buildings these days so it isn't as much of a testimony as it once was.

Abram showed by his relations to the two kings how God’s people need to be careful when we are involved in our world. The need for justice and mercy demand that we be involved but we need to be sure that the world is clear about our motivation.

What if the world sees a massive amount of worship in God's people? Worship that was much greater than our fears or our love for the things that the world has to offer. What an awesome testimony that would be.

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Giving Back To God: The Heart Of Worship (crosswalk.com)

Involved With Our World

We need to have the appropriate reaction to injustice. 

Genesis 13:9-11 The whole countryside is open to you. Take your choice of any section of the land you want, and we will separate. If you want the land to the left, then I'll take the land on the right. If you prefer the land on the right, then I'll go to the left."

10 Lot took a long look at the fertile plains of the Jordan Valley in the direction of Zoar. The whole area was well watered everywhere, like the garden of the LORD or the beautiful land of Egypt. (This was before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.) 11 Lot chose for himself the whole Jordan Valley to the east of them. He went there with his flocks and servants and parted company with his uncle Abram.

Genesis 14:11-12 The victorious invaders then plundered Sodom and Gomorrah and headed for home, taking with them all the spoils of war and the food supplies. 12 They also captured Lot--Abram's nephew who lived in Sodom--and carried off everything he owned.

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Abram's faith has grown since he first began his journey, he has already learned some important lessons in the "School of Faith" that will help him deal with yet another difficult situation. Our faith should never get any rest, the challenges that come from circumstances, places and things will give it plenty of chances to grow if we choose to use it.

After separating from Lot, God renews his promise to give Abram the land, even after all of his mistakes in Egypt, God reaffirms his promise that all of the land would still belong to Abram and his descendants even after Abram gave away some of the land to Lot. (Genesis 13:14-18)

As their story continues to unfold we will see that there was more than just a physical separation between Abram and Lot, there was also a spiritual separation, you can see the difference in the choices that they make. Lot's choices will be a source of trouble for him and for Abram.

Lot was a friend of the world and he was enticed by it's pleasures when he was given a choice of real estate, perhaps the good times that he experienced back in Egypt was still on his mind when he chose the land next to Sodom.

Abram was living in the country minding his own business when he got the news about his nephew. Lot was enjoying his new home until he unwittingly became involved in a political situation that cost him everything.

1 John 2:15 Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you.

We can't blame all of our trials on ourselves but for Lot it is very true that his choices brought him a bunch of trouble. Lot will continue to make bad choices even after Abram saved him from exile. (Genesis 19:1-38)

Abram's response to the situation that his nephew was in is a great lesson on how we should respond to the injustice that is all around us.

Isolation

It is so easy to look at the situation and wonder why the person thought things would go any better than they did. Sometimes we think they got exactly what they deserved, they were corrupt, they made bad choices, and they deserve whatever happens. Lot would have to suffer the consequences of his bad choices if Abram decided to not get involved.

Identification

Abram has identified himself as a man of God and there was no going back to his old ways. Abram couldn't identify himself with that old way of thinking and he couldn't adopt the immoral lifestyle of the people of Sodom.

Involvement

Abram struggled with how to be in the world but not of it, he couldn't isolate himself and ignore the problem, he needed to address the injustice in the world around him but he had to do so without being identified as a part of the world.

Involvement without compromise is not easy, this is the same problem that the church has had to deal with through the ages, the injustice around us begs for our compassion. Great people that do not share our values may work right by our side to make the world a better place but there has to be a distinct difference between God's children and the rest of the world.

Matthew 5:6 God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they will be satisfied.

God's children should have a longing deep inside to see everything made right. We should hunger and thirst to see the world come closer to it's original condition before sin. Injustice should bother us more than it does the rest of the world.

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Stop Picking On Me

God is our refuge, our strength and salvation, a mighty fortress is the Lord Almighty!

1 John 2:1-2  My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the One who is truly righteous.  2  He Himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins--and not only our sins but the sins of all the world.

John 14:16  And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you.

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There is a lot of talk these days about bullying, one of the greatest challenges as a kid is trying to feel good about yourself and attempting to fit in, I didn't achieve either one of those goals until I was way past childhood. Insecurity is one of our greatest enemies and none of us are ever completely free of this battle.

There is a bully that stands strong against us with exceptional power, his goal is to cause us great harm, he wants us to feel as insecure as a little child. Satan wants to keep me from realizing my position as a child of God, he wants me to continue living in the guilt of my past mistakes, he wants me to believe that I will never be good enough.

I don't have to stand in the courtroom in front of God the Father with only the Accuser by my side. Thank God I have a defense, I have an advocate that stands there with me before the judge, he speaks on my behalf to protect me from every attack that the Accuser brings. The work that Jesus did through his death and resurrection and continues to do for me

Who dares to accuse me?
Romans 8:33-34  Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for His own? No one--for God Himself has given us right standing with Himself.  34  Who then will condemn us? No one--for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and He is sitting in the place of honor at God's right hand, pleading for us.

Who is accusing you? Who is condemning you? Is he greater than your defender? While Jesus was here with his disciples he was their counselor, a guide, and a friend. He had instructed them, he endured their prejudices and ignorance, and he consoled them when they were hopeless. We have the same care that they had, the Holy Spirit is our comforter, teacher and helper in the same way that Jesus disciples had him.

If you are a child of God then the Accuser has already been defeated and you don't need to listen to what he has to say about you. I love the way this song reminds me of the power and help that we have on our side:

Defender (Call Upon the Name)

Words and Music by: Travis Doucette

He is near to the broken

Close to the weary of heart

In His name is a refuge

A safety for the weak and discarded

There is help for the hopeless

For the wounded in need

In the presence of Jesus

There is power unleashed

Call upon the name of the Lord

He's our defender, our deliverer

A shelter in the midst of the storm

Jesus, our Savior

He is King over all

I will sing of my Redeemer

Testify to the touch of His hand

Lifted me from disaster

Set my feet on a solid rock to stand

God is our refuge, our strength and salvation

A mighty fortress is the Lord Almighty!

There is no equal, no power beside Him

Forever our champion is the Lord our God!

Thank you Lord for loving me and taking care of me everyday!

Looking For Justice In An Unfair World

A lesson about prayer teaches us about God's character.

Luke 18:1-8 One day Jesus told his disciples a story to show that they should always pray and never give up.

2 “There was a judge in a certain city,” he said, “who neither feared God nor cared about people. 3 A widow of that city came to him repeatedly, saying, ‘Give me justice in this dispute with my enemy.’

4 The judge ignored her for a while, but finally he said to himself, ‘I don’t fear God or care about people, 5 but this woman is driving me crazy. I’m going to see that she gets justice, because she is wearing me out with her constant requests!’”

6 Then the Lord said, “Learn a lesson from this unjust judge. 7 Even he rendered a just decision in the end. So don’t you think God will surely give justice to his chosen people who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? 8 I tell you, he will grant justice to them quickly! But when the Son of Man returns, how many will he find on the earth who have faith?”

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Jesus wanted to teach his disciples some more about prayer, he had already granted their request to learn how to pray in Luke 11:1-4 when he gave them what we call "The Lord's Prayer." This time around he wanted to teach them about the longevity of prayer and the nature of the person that we are praying to.

In Jesus lesson about praying, he talks about the persistence that may be required before getting an answer and he talks about seeking justice from God for the wrongs that are committed against us.

Our God loves justice

Job 34:12 Truly, God will not do wrong. The Almighty will not twist justice.
Psalm 99:4 Mighty King, lover of justice, you have established fairness. You have acted with justice and righteousness throughout Israel.

Jesus told his disciples that they should be faithful in prayer, doing it always without giving up, just like a nagging woman that won't stop. The judge in the story made it clear that he didn't play favorites and that he was fair with everybody. That's how it is with God, he is our impartial judge and he will bring justice, it is a part of his nature that cannot be changed.

We may have to pray for a long time about the same injustice but we can have hope in the fact that God is just and he will eventually make everything right in this world. No wrong will go without punishment except for the wrongs that have been forgiven by Jesus blood.

God wants us to be just

Zechariah 7:9 “This is what the LORD of Heaven’s Armies says: Judge fairly, and show mercy and kindness to one another. 10 Do not oppress widows, orphans, foreigners, and the poor. And do not scheme against each other.

The world that we live in is a very unfair place, things happen everyday to people that don't deserve it and other people get away with stuff that they shouldn't have. God wants us to seek justice but it is something that we should seek for others more than for ourselves.

Mercy and kindness should rule in our lives and we should strive to treat other people fairly. Throughout the Bible we find the message from God to deny ourselves, treat each other fairly and help out everybody that you can, we should let our heavenly father be the just judge that he is and let him deal with the wrongs that are made against us. 

God's justice is:

• Impartial - 1 Peter 1:17
• Infallible - Hebrews 4:13
• Inescapable - Romans 2:3
• In Christ - Romans 3:25-26

I need to be nice at all times, at home, at work and in traffic between those two places. Help me to be forgiving.

Help me Lord to reverse the trend of society by helping others and being nice in this world that needs a lot more niceness. Help me to pray without ceasing for all of my needs.