The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in Leviticus 10:1-3,
"Aaron'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. So fire came out from the presence of the Lord and consumed them, and they died before the Lord. Moses then said to Aaron, 'This is what the Lord spoke of when he said: "'Among those who approach me I will be proved holy; in the sight of all the people I will be honored."' Aaron remained silent."
The inauguration of the tabernacle worship in Israel was a matter important to God. Otherwise he would not have had it introduced into the life of the nation. The importance of it was apparently lost on Nadab and Abihu. They approached their responsibilities as priests in a way that communicated a disregard for the things of God.
They trifled with the interests of God and paid a severe penalty.
Trifling with the will of God is not a matter to be taken lightly. If we should do so we will have to face a formidable consequence. That consequence could come immediately, as in the case of Nadab and Abihu, or it might be delayed for God's purposes.
The greatest of all trifling has to be the rejection of God's provision for our sins, Jesus Christ. John the Baptist observed, "Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on them." John 3:36.
An example of delayed consequence due to trifling with God is seen in what Jesus taught about the end of the age, "The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. They will throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." Matthew 13:41,42. He went on to say, "This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous and throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." Verse 49.
"Aaron'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. So fire came out from the presence of the Lord and consumed them, and they died before the Lord. Moses then said to Aaron, 'This is what the Lord spoke of when he said: "'Among those who approach me I will be proved holy; in the sight of all the people I will be honored."' Aaron remained silent."
The inauguration of the tabernacle worship in Israel was a matter important to God. Otherwise he would not have had it introduced into the life of the nation. The importance of it was apparently lost on Nadab and Abihu. They approached their responsibilities as priests in a way that communicated a disregard for the things of God.
They trifled with the interests of God and paid a severe penalty.
Trifling with the will of God is not a matter to be taken lightly. If we should do so we will have to face a formidable consequence. That consequence could come immediately, as in the case of Nadab and Abihu, or it might be delayed for God's purposes.
The greatest of all trifling has to be the rejection of God's provision for our sins, Jesus Christ. John the Baptist observed, "Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on them." John 3:36.
An example of delayed consequence due to trifling with God is seen in what Jesus taught about the end of the age, "The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. They will throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." Matthew 13:41,42. He went on to say, "This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous and throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." Verse 49.
I don't know about you, but I take the words of Jesus Christ seriously. He meant exactly what he said. To think otherwise is to trifle with God. Not a wise idea. Just ask Nadab and Abihu!
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
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