Journal Through the Bible: Week 18 Wednesday

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Leviticus 9:1-10:20

Aaron's sons, Nadab and Abihu, were privileged to see God on Mount Sinai (Exodus 24:9-11), see the glory of the LORD descend upon the Tabernacle, and yet they literally played with fire by offering strange incense in their censers and paid with their lives.

Then Aaron and his surviving sons failed to fulfill their obligation toward the sin offering because they were distraught and overcome with grief. These were immediate examples that proved that the priests were sinners who could not fully atone for the people like the coming Messiah would.

Does God make any promises in this passage?

• The glory of the LORD appeared to all the people and a fire came from the LORD and consumed the burnt offering upon the altar. This was a sign that the LORD had accepted the people and their offerings.
• By killing Nadab and Abihu, God carried out His promise to be sanctified in any that draw near to Him and to be glorified before all the people.

Are there any references to Jesus?

• Hebrews chapter 9 deals with this. It says that these sacrifices were not sufficient to save anyone from sin under the old covenant, but were a picture of "good things to come," meaning the sacrifice of Jesus Christ (v. 11) under the new covenant of grace. (Read both chapter 9 and chapter 10 of Hebrews.)
• Aaron and his family fail in their duties almost from the start because their own sinful natures caused them to do things their own way. Jesus was the high priest that met the qualification of a sinless nature and was the only One who could meet all the standards required both as the Person making the sacrifice and also as the sacrifice itself.

Are there any references to future events?

• The glory of the LORD inhabits His chosen places to put His name. First it was the tabernacle, then it was Solomon's Temple, then it was in the institution of the church (which was signified by the tongues of fire placed upon Jewish congregations and Gentile congregations), and finally it will be in New Jerusalem.

Does God issue any commands?

• Through Moses Aaron was commanded to offer a young calf as a sin offering for himself and his sons as well as a ram for a burnt offering before making sacrificial offerings for the people on the eighth day after the consecration ceremony.
• Through Moses God commanded Aaron, Eleazar, and Ithamar (the survivors of Nadab and Abihu) not to tear the priestly clothing or show any other sign of mourning.
• God commanded Aaron and the priests not to drink alcohol when ministering in the Tabernacle.