170 likes | 190 Views
Leviticus 9:22 – 10:7. The Old Testament is of Great Value to the Christian. Romans 15:4 “learning,…patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.” 1 Corinthians 10:11 “written for our admonition”. Nadab and Abihu. The Incident. Circumstances leading up to their actions
E N D
The Old Testament is of Great Value to the Christian • Romans 15:4 “learning,…patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.” • 1 Corinthians 10:11 “written for our admonition”
The Incident • Circumstances leading up to their actions • Consecration of Aaron and his sons – Leviticus 8,9 • Glory of the Lord appeared when Aaron blessed the people – Leviticus 9:22-24 • Fire came out from before the Lord • Consumed fat on the altar • People shouted and fell on their face
Profane Fire Offered • Not commanded by the Lord – Leviticus 10:1 • “Unauthorized” fire – ESV • Something the Lord had not commanded! • Fire went out from the Lord and devoured them – Leviticus 10:2
Compare FIRE • Leviticus 9:24 • God’s Acceptance • God’s Blessing • Leviticus 10:2 • God’sRejection • God’s Curse
Profane Fire Offered • Why was God displeased? • Leviticus 16:12 “from the altar before the Lord” • Leviticus 10:8-10 – Intoxicating drinks forbidden. • Leviticus 16:1,2 – Attempt to enter the Holy Place at inappropriate time
Moses’ Explanation • Leviticus 10:3a – must regard God as “holy” • “Holy” = “to set apart, consecrated”, to treat as special • Evidently Nadab & Abihu did not so respect God • God to be “glorified” – Leviticus 10:3b • Word means “to honor” • Nadab & Abihu did not honor God
Moses’ Further Instructions • Leviticus 10:4,5 - Bodies removed outside the camp • Leviticus 10:6,7 – Aaron & sons not to grieve while consecrated for service • What lessons might there be for us?
Lessons to be Learned • Regarding the Worship of God • Must do only what He commanded • This was the mistake made by Nadab & Abihu – Leviticus 10:1 • When we offer something God has Not Commanded: • We do not regard Him as Holy- Leviticus 10:3 • We do not truly glorify Him – Leviticus 10:3
Lessons to be Learned • IF God is holy & truly worth of glory: • How can sinful man know what God desires as acceptable worship? • Can sinful man read the mind of God? • If so – God is not all that “holy!” • If so – God is not all that different from man and not worthy of glory! • Man cannot know without Divine revelation how God ought to be worshiped and glorified – Isaiah 55:8,9
Lessons to be Learned • This is One reason I do not use mechanical instruments in worship • In the New Testament Only Singing is specified – Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16 • To offer praise with mechanical instruments: • Something God has Not commanded • Would be presumptuous on our part • Trying to second-guess God
Lessons to be Learned • What about God’s approval of mechanical instruments in the Old Testament? • Can Learn from Moses: • One time God told him to strike rock to obtain water – Exodus 17:6 • Later, God told him to speak to the rock – Numbers 20:8 • What Moses did the second time is what God said to do the first time • Failed to “hallow” God – Numbers 20:11,12 • He lost the right to enter Promised Land – Numbers 20:12; Deuteronomy 32:51
Lessons to be Learned • What can we learn from the example of Moses? • What we do must be appropriate to the time in which we live • God may have approved of instrumental music in the past – but He Simply Commands Singing in the New Testament • We cannot say, “But God allowed it in the Old Testament!”
The Priority of God • Service to the Lord comes before service to the family • Aaron not allowed to grieve for his sons • It was necessary for others to take the bodies out of the camp – Leviticus 10:4,5 • He had been consecrated & service to the Lord came first – Leviticus 10:6,7
The Priority of God • Service to the Lord comes before service to the family • Jesus made a similar point: • Luke 9:59-62 “let the dead bury their own dead” “bid them farewell who are at my house” • Luke 14:25-33 “hate his father & mother, wife & children, etc.” • Matthew 10:34-37 “not come to bring peace”
The Priority of God • Service to the Lord comes before service to the family • When a conflict arises between service to the Lord and commitment to the family, Christ must come FIRST! • Obey gospel despite objection of family • Putting assemblies of Lord’s church first when company comes • Matthew 6:33 “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness”