Today's Reading:

Leviticus 8
Leviticus 9
Leviticus 10

 
It was a huge honor to serve God as a priest and be chosen for the duty. God took the priests’ obedience and holiness seriously. One moment, there was a joyful fire in acceptance from God of the Israelites' worship, and the next, fire rained down to judge the carelessness. It is a powerful reminder that approaching our holy God was an incredible privilege that demanded respect and following His instructions exactly as He laid them out.  There was a terrifying holiness of God as He had accepted Aaron’s offerings with glorious, joyful fire as proof that He was happy to dwell with the Israelites , and then immediately struck down Nadab and Abihu with deadly fire for offering “unauthorized” fire.  What does this say about how a holy God could live with imperfect people and not destroy them? God was able to dwell with the imperfect Israelites, not because he could tolerate their sin, but because He gave them a temporary system of grace, the sacrifices would atone/cover the sins one at a time. 

 

 

The ordination of Aaron and his sons marked the first time the Israelites had priests. This was a large ceremony that happened in front of the whole community at the entrance to the Tent of Meetings. Tabernacle and Tent of Meetings can be confusing: The phrase “Tent of Meeting” first referred to a plain, temporary tent outside of the camp (before the Tabernacle existed). After the large holy Tabernacle was built, the Bible started using “Tent of Meeting” for that structure instead. This is why in Leviticus 8-10, during the priest’s ordination, everything happened “at the entrance of the Tent of Meeting”- it is the newly built “Tabernacle” in the middle of the camp, with the altar right there in the courtyard. Once the Tabernacle was finished and God’s glory cloud filled it, the structure took over the name Tent of Meeting/Tabernacle both names can be used interchangeably.   

Moses started the consecration ritual , washing Aaron and his sons with water to cleanse them. Then they were clothed (including the Ephod, Breastplate of jewels, Turban, etc.), and everything was anointed with oil; the Tabernacle, furniture, altar, Aaron and his sons, from the most important items downward. After the anointing, came the series of animal sacrifices for the offerings: bull for sin, ram for burnt offering (total dedication), and ram for the “ordination”. Moses applied the blood to them (law from 4:3-11) and then sprinkled them with blood and oil. They were to eat part of the offerings and stay at the Tabernacle entrance for the full 7 days, and everything was done exactly as God had commanded. 

On day 8, Aaron and his sons were to begin their priestly duties. Moses told Aaron to make his first set of sacrifices for himself, to cover any personal past sins, and then for the people. Once completed, Aaron lifted his hands to bless the people. Moses and Aaron went into the Tabernacle and came back out to bless the people again, and God showed up in glorious fire from heaven. God burnt up all the offerings in front of the Israelites. They shouted for joy and fell face down in awe. God had accepted their worship and showed them He really was there to dwell with them.  

In an instant, disaster came. Aaron’s two oldest sons, Nadab and Abihu, had burnt incense and put fire in them (this was not specialized fire from God’s altar) , but it was unauthorized fire. They had offered it to God in a way that He had not commanded, and instantly God sent out fire to consume them. Moses told Aaron that God must be treated as holy by those in His presence. Aaron quietly stood by, no argument or complaint. Note that Nadab and Abihu, the firstborn sons, were passed over due to their arrogant rebellion, as with other firstborns throughout the Old Testament. Priests must reflect God’s holy Judgment and He will be honored! The cousins carried away the bodies from the camp (as Moses and Aaron could not touch dead bodies or would become unclean themselves). Moses told Aaron and his younger 2 sons (Eleazar and Ithamar) not to show a display of mourning because they were on duty and anointed so they must keep serving.  

God spoke to Aaron directly and set up rules to distinguish between the common people and holy people (never to drink wine while on duty) so that they can think clearly and teach the Israelites. Anyone who does not comply “must be cut off from their people” (banishment or execution as the consequences of not respecting the importance of holiness and purity). But right away, Aaron’s youngest sons messed up the rules- it had been a rough day after all with their brothers being killed with fire by God.  Due to their explanation of this, Moses had compassion for them about the sin offering being burnt and not eaten as it was a sincere mistake and he understood the weight of their grief. Even under God’s strict commands of the Old Covenant, His ultimate desire is not perfection from broken people, but a heart that honors Him during pain. This points to the greater Priest (Jesus) who understands our weaknesses and invites us not to earn His mercy, but to receive it through His love.  

 
Today's Discussion question: 

After Nadab and Abihu were consumed by fire, their younger brothers Eleazar and Ithamar faltered in obedience amid grief and shock—yet God showed mercy. How does this encourage you today? Even when pain or suffering makes honoring God feel difficult and our obedience imperfect, we are still called to approach Him with deep respect and awe. How has His grace met you in those moments?

 
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