February 19th

Leviticus 9:1-11:47

God gave His commandments concerning what the people of Israel were allowed to eat. Also, the process of consecration, concerning Aaron and his sons, was completed. They were now ready to begin the sacrificial system. In fact, after Aaron, who was now the first High Priest of Israel, made his first sacrifice, God responded by sending fire out from His presence and consuming all that was on the altar. It must have been a memorable occasion, “for when the people saw this, they shouted with joy and fell face down on the ground” (9:24).

However, as you continued reading, you witnessed the tragic mistake of Nadab and Abihu, who offered “strange fire” before the Lord, meaning they offered incense that was not prescribed by God to be burned in the Tabernacle. As a result, both of these men died. Their brothers Eleazar and Ithamar took their place.

It is clear, especially having just come off of that glorious event in which God demonstrated His support of Aaron and his sons into the tragedy of their disobedience, that God is very serious about His holiness. Holiness is an aspect of God that we cannot fathom in our flawed nature and finite mind. He is perfectly clean, completely pure, unstained by sin. He cannot allow anything offensive in His presence, thus the reason why He gives all of the commands regarding the purity of His people.

In the last few days, we have spent several chapters reading about the elaborate ceremony to purify and consecrate the priests for their service in the Tabernacle. The Lord has provided all of the instructions for how to approach Him in a holy manner. Everything had to happen exactly as He prescribed, yet Nadab and Abihu immediately neglected these instructions and attempted to do things their own way. In this manner,

God’s holy presence was dishonored and, therefore, shamed before others. He was not about to let these men get away with their blatant disregard for His holiness or His sanctuary.

Herein lies a stark warning — we approach the Lord on His terms, not our own. We cannot enter into His presence our way. In other words, we do not tell Him how we will be saved or what He must do for us; instead, He tells us how we can be saved. We are the creature; He is the Creator. If we trust in our own works to be enough for salvation, we will get burned.

Daily Reflection

God calls you to worship Him in spirit and in truth, meaning that He deserves to be worshiped as He prescribes, not as you wish. What are ways that you might bring “strange fire” into the presence of the Lord?

Your God is a holy God, high and lifted up, seated on His throne in heaven. Be careful how you approach Him. Come to Him in humility, not in pride, with reverence, not in disrespect, and in a way that honors rather than dishonors Him. “Cleanse your hands, you sinner,” says James, “and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” Enter the Lord’s presence with fear and awe.

“I am the Lord your God. Consecrate yourselves, therefore, and be holy, for I am holy.” Leviticus 11:44

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