February 15 - Leviticus 8-10: Aaron is Made Priest, Loses Two Sons

Today’s Reading: Leviticus 8-10

The Message

English Standard Version

Thought to Guide Your Reading

We must separate holy times from non-holy times.

Summary in 100 Words or Less

God told Moses to show the people that Aaron and his sons were His chosen priests.
On the eighth day, Moses told the people to prepare a sacrifice for God would appear to them. Fire came down from God and consumed all of the sacrifices. The people bowed in reverence.
Nadab and Abihu presented a strange offering to God. God burned them alive. Aaron and his remaining sons were commanded not to drink alcohol because they were to be holy.
An argument flared between Moses and Aaron based on sacrifices. Aaron assured him they obeyed God and Moses was satisfied.

How Today’s Reading Contributes to the Gospel: God is Setting All Things Right

God wanted the Israelites to know that Aaron and his sons had God's stamp of approval.

God wanted to make sure the people knew that Aaron and his sons were set apart for His service. This is important because later they would not challenge his position. True leaders are given authority from God, not from their own will.

God once again shows His Power to the people.

God wants the people to see His Power and Greatness. So he decides to show them all a portion of his Greatness by bringing fire from the heavens to consume their sacrifices.

Nadab and Abihu show the danger of alcohol in worshiping God, not the specificity of worship.

I had been taught that this story shows how we must worship God in the exact method He prescribed or God would not be happy with our worship. This is not true. Although God does care for how we worship Him (the argument between Moses and Aaron came because Moses was worried the other sons were guilty of not obeying God's commands) God's instructions for Aaron and his sons afterwards are,

When you enter the Tent of Meeting, don't drink wine or strong drink, neither you nor your sons, lest you die. This is a fixed rule down through the generations. Distinguish between the holy and the common, between the ritually clean and unclean. (10:9-10, The Message)

God is not a drunken-orgy God (as the other gods of the day). God is a holy, upright, setting-all-things-right God. When worshiping God abstain from alcohol. When drinking alcohol, don't proclaim to be worshiping God. We must separate times designated as holy from other times.

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