Making Sense out of Leviticus #6

Reading: Leviticus 10-11.

My apologies for this being a day late. That happens sometimes when schedules and energy (or the lack thereof) get in the way. However, here we go....

I want us to look at Leviticus 9:24 which actually picks up the setting up of the Tabernacle and the beginning of its service in Exodus 40. Notice what this verse says, "Fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed the burnt offering and the fat portions on the altar. And when all the people saw it, they shouted for joy and fell facedown." (NIV) 

Everything was set up and ready for the sacrifices to be burned, and then the LORD Himself lit the fire in a most dramatic way. He did the same thing at the inauguration of Solomon's temple (2 Chron. 7:1), and also on the Day of Pentecost 33 A.D. with the tongues of fire. The LORD provides His own fire for the work of His priests. The priests did not light the fire for the Tabernacle and all its services, God Himself took care of the fire which was used and protected. Never was fire created by man used in the services of the LORD.

Now we begin to see the offense of Nadab and Abihu in chapter 10. They were exceedingly presumptions, but beyond that, seemed to have no regard for the work of God Himself. They choose their own fire and when they choose to bring it into the Holy Place to light the incense there, the scripture says "...the LORD consumed them." Fire came out from His presence and burned them up. They were carried out in their tunics. Notice what was burned - not their holy clothes, but only their persons. This story reminds me a bit of the extreme nature of the punishment the LORD inflicted upon Ananias and Sapphira at the beginning of the New Covenant Church.  Our LORD was (and is) concerned with our attitudes and  actions as we worship and live. He intends for us to honor and not be casual or off handed about Him and His nature in us.

Chapter 11 explains to the Israelites the differences in "clean" and "unclean" food. If we will follow it through we will realize that this was for their health and well-being in a world where cooking and storage methods could not make some food safe to eat. I am aware, we still do not make all foods good for our health. We know in grace, we can eat whatever we choose. Our walk with the LORD is never determined by our food. One teacher I heard said, "There is no problem with eating pigs. Feel free. It will not keep anyone out of heaven, in fact, you may get there sooner." Just some thoughts. These matters were very important for them as they were to live in health.

It was the beginning teaching on how to outwardly determine "clean" and "unclean." This gets translated later into other matters for us in terms of 'holy" and "unholy." We will work more deeply with that, when we get there.

Next reading: Leviticus 12-13.

Comments

Reading along, Iris. Thank you. And laughing out loud at the pig comment. :-)
Iris Godfrey said…
So good to hear from you! The comment was something similar in the Acts lessons from a pentecostal scholar from Australia named Kevin Connor. I have used his material of Acts several times.

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