Respect The Holiness of God
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.
. . . Then the LORD said to Aaron, "You and your sons are not to drink wine or other fermented drink whenever you go into the tent of meeting, or you will die. . . . so that you can distinguish between the holy and the common, between the unclean and the clean . . . "
Leviticus 10:1-10
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.
. . . Then the LORD said to Aaron, "You and your sons are not to drink wine or other fermented drink whenever you go into the tent of meeting, or you will die. . . . so that you can distinguish between the holy and the common, between the unclean and the clean . . . "
Leviticus 10:1-10
The death of the two priests, Nadab and Abihu seemed to be rather harsh. But God was making a point: "I am a holy God and my holiness should never be taken for granted."
All through Scripture, we see very strong judgment when the holiness of God is violated. Achan's whole family was stoned to death when he stole what God had asked the Israelites to devote to Him (Joshua 7). God struck Uzzah to death on the spot when he reached out and took hold of the ark of God because the oxen carrying it stumbled (2 Samuel 6). Ananias and his wife Sapphira were struck to death when they lied to Peter about money (Acts 5).
In our eyes, these might seem to be rather harsh and probably even cruel and uncompassionate acts of judgment. But the point God wants to impress on us is that He is totally holy and righteous. God wants us to remain cognizant of His holiness. But for the blood of Jesus and the compassion of God, we cannot dwell in His presence even for a moment!
Indeed as the Scripture says in Lamentations 3:22, "Because of the LORD's great love, we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."
It is very easy to be rather cavalier about the things of God and take His holiness for granted.
We take the holiness of God for granted: when we take His name in vain by making people think we reverence Him when we know in our heart of hearts that God is not our priority; when we grumble about the things we do for God; when we give our leftovers to Him and fail to offer Him the best of our time, talents and treasures; and when we are unfaithful to God and lie about it.
Such an attitude toward God smacks of a lack of holiness and robs us of great blessings.
In His own words, God says, "I am a great King . . . and my name is to be feared among the nations" (Malachi 1:14). Our God is holy and mighty. He blesses when He is honored and revered. Let's respect God's holiness.
All through Scripture, we see very strong judgment when the holiness of God is violated. Achan's whole family was stoned to death when he stole what God had asked the Israelites to devote to Him (Joshua 7). God struck Uzzah to death on the spot when he reached out and took hold of the ark of God because the oxen carrying it stumbled (2 Samuel 6). Ananias and his wife Sapphira were struck to death when they lied to Peter about money (Acts 5).
In our eyes, these might seem to be rather harsh and probably even cruel and uncompassionate acts of judgment. But the point God wants to impress on us is that He is totally holy and righteous. God wants us to remain cognizant of His holiness. But for the blood of Jesus and the compassion of God, we cannot dwell in His presence even for a moment!
Indeed as the Scripture says in Lamentations 3:22, "Because of the LORD's great love, we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."
It is very easy to be rather cavalier about the things of God and take His holiness for granted.
We take the holiness of God for granted: when we take His name in vain by making people think we reverence Him when we know in our heart of hearts that God is not our priority; when we grumble about the things we do for God; when we give our leftovers to Him and fail to offer Him the best of our time, talents and treasures; and when we are unfaithful to God and lie about it.
Such an attitude toward God smacks of a lack of holiness and robs us of great blessings.
In His own words, God says, "I am a great King . . . and my name is to be feared among the nations" (Malachi 1:14). Our God is holy and mighty. He blesses when He is honored and revered. Let's respect God's holiness.
Prayer: Father, I confess that there are many ways in which I fail to reverence your holiness.
Please help me to honor you with the right attitude and a life of holiness. Amen.
Please help me to honor you with the right attitude and a life of holiness. Amen.