*WISDOM FOR TODAY.*
*WHAT IS GOD COMMANDING YOU? (3)*
*Scripture Treasure.*
Lev 10:1-2 *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.*
*Insight and Highlight.*
Not all fire is holy.
*Scripture Commentaries.*
The sad story of Nadab and Abihu is a wake-up call that warns us not to presume what we do in our offices.
According to Lev 16:12, they each had a censer. According to Lev 16:13, they put the incense upon the fire before the Lord.
Lev 10:1, however, says they *".....offered strange fire before the Lord, which he commanded them not.*
We have seen that they failed because God did not command them, but let us also see some other possible reasons.
Oftentimes, God resolves to be against a person in response to the person's heart.
They had purposed their offerings before they gave it. They must have known even before they offered it.
What could have gone wrong with these priests?
Could it have been because they each took an incense of his own rather than the sacred incense from the altar?
Was the incense supposed to be offered separately rather than jointly?
Though they were priests and were high priests. Could they have encroached on the functions of the high priests? Lev 16:12
There were garments approved for them to wear before they entered *" ....the altar to minister in the Holy Place so that they will not incur guilt and die...."*, Exd 28:43, 30:7-8.
Did they wear the garments?
So many reason for the death of Nadab and Abihu could be adduced but one thing very clear is found in Leviticus 22:9 *The priests must keep My charge, lest they bear the guilt and die because they profane it. I am the LORD who sanctifies them.*
God is just, and He will not be a consuming fire if there is no need to be.
The offering of their incense was against God's will and timing at that time, not authorized by God or the High priests: Moses and Aaron to whom they were accountable? ref Numb 16:6.
Lev 16:12-13 tells us God and His High priest authorize these sacrifices.
Their story teaches us that God is not a respecter of persons.
Let us be careful. Not all fire is holy!
*Remorse corner.*
It may look like a holy fire, but it is not.
If it is not, it is a strange fire.
It will bring a counter consuming fire.
Remember, there is a Fire that destroys fire.
*Call to Word action.*
Heb 12:28-29 *Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:*
*For our God is a consuming fire.*
*The Christian clarion duty.*
God leads, and we follow. He is not a respecter of persons.
Rom 2:11 *For there is no respect of persons with God.*
*Prayer.*
Lord, help me to offer acceptable sacrifices to You in Jesus name.
Good morning all, and have a blessed day today.
God bless you.
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