TODAY’S READING: LEVITICUS 10-13
OVERVIEW:
Nadab and Abihu judged by God; the first kosher menu is created; post partum purification; leprosy is identified and addressed.
HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:
Tolerance and pluralism are common words in the vocabulary of our lukewarm society. Christians have been told that they should avoid making claims such as “the Bible is the only source of absolute truth” and “Jesus is the only way to heaven”. Such claims are impolite and disruptive. And besides, all roads lead to heaven, right? Let’s ask Nadab and Abihu. In Leviticus 10, we find two men, Nadab and Abihu, who were so caught up in the emotional excitement of experiencing God’s presence (Lev. 9:23-10:7) that they were inspired out of the goodness of their heart to worship God in a new way. What’s wrong with that? Think about it, here are two men with honest intentions and sincere hearts trying to please God. Surely God is overwhelmed with joy. Check out God’s response to these truly sincere individuals: “And there went out fire from the LORD, and devoured them, and they died before the LORD” (Lev. 10:2). Is this really the response of a loving God? What’s the big deal?
Read vs. 1, “And Nadab and Abihu . . . offered strange fire before the Lord, WHICH HE COMMANDED THEM NOT.” The fire of judgment devoured them because they refused to worship God in accordance with God’s Word. Sincerity of heart and good intentions will not lead anyone to eternity in heaven (Pro.14:12). We saw this same scenario played out in Genesis, where Cain offered with a sincere heart the fruit of his hands as an offering to God. There was no question of the sincerity of his heart was in the right place, but was not according to the requirements of God. There will be a lot of people in hell that had a sincere heart, but not the right faith. The fact is, all roads do not lead to heaven; there is only one road: Jesus Christ. In John 14:6, Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me”. Jesus is the only road because only Jesus is God, only Jesus lived a sinless life, only Jesus paid the price for sins, only Jesus rose from the dead and only Jesus will return to take vengeance on them that know not God and obey not His gospel (II Thess. 1:7-10)! God demands that we worship Him precisely the way that He commands us to in His Word.
God paints an incredible picture of sin, its working, and consequences in Leviticus 13. In this chapter we are introduced to leprosy which, like sin, is a disease that spreads throughout the body, often remains undetected by others, defiles everyone near to it, isolates the infected and is fit only for destruction by fire. Sounds like the life of someone trapped in sin. Such a situation is not hopeless, however, if we chose to separate ourselves from the sin, “put off” the garment of the flesh (Col. 3:5-17) and let our High Priest, the Lord Jesus Christ, apply the blood of the sacrifice (I Jn. 1:7) and anoint us with oil (a type of the power of the Holy Spirit). Through Christ, our faithful High Priest we can be restored to a right relationship with God and man.
CHRIST IS REVEALED:
As our HIGH PRIEST who identifies and cleanses the disease of our sin – Lev. 13 (Heb.4:14, 15).