First Read Leviticus 10:1-20
Yesterday we focused on the first 3 verses. This is literally Aaron’s best and worst day of his life. He just saw God’s glory, and He also just saw his two oldest sons die. And now Moses is going to give Aaron a couple commands in handling the situation.
10:6-7 Then Moses said to Aaron and to his sons Eleazar and Ithamar, “Do not uncover your heads nor tear your clothes, so that you will not die and that He will not become wrathful against all the congregation. but your kinsmen, who whole house of Israel, shall bewail the burning which the LORD has brought about. You shall not even go out from the doorway of the tent of meeting, or you will die; for the LORD’s anointing oil is upon you.” So they did according to the word of Moses. Neither Aaron nor his sons were allowed to take the bodies out, mourn them, or even go to the funeral. They could not leave the tent of meeting. For they were now holy and consecrated to God. Therefore they had to align themselves with God’s viewpoint. At times that what following God means for us, especially those who are called to be spiritual leaders, that when its even when its hard and emotions are high, that we must align ourselves with God. And see things/lead from His perspective. The calling is great, and therefore so is the responsibility.
10:8 The LORD then spoke to Aaron, saying… in the midst of a great sin by his sons, God directly speaks to Aaron. This is the only time in Leviticus where God speaks directly to Aaron. It’s almost a reassurance and comfort to Aaron, as much as it is directive to him. Letting Aaron know that despite the sin of his sons, he will still maintain his place as high priest of Israel.
10:9 Do not drink wine or strong drink, neither you nor your sons with you, when you come into the tent of meeting, so that you will not die… Essentially they are not to drink on the job. But, this seems odd here. Some suggest that perhaps Nadab and Abihu were drunk and that’s why they offered the strange fire. Or it may simply be that as the spiritual leaders of Israel they are to lead rightly especially and how much more so when they are in the house of God.
10:10-11 and so as to make a distinction between the holy and the profane and between the unclean and the clean, and so as to teach the sons of Israel all the statutes which the LORD has spoken to them through Moses. Here we see the job description given from God to Aaron. They are the ones to distinguish and to teach people how to distinguish between the holy and the profane, the clean and the unclean. For to worship in the presence of a holy God, they must be clean. (Note then the awesomeness of Christ’s work on the cross as we are now able to worship in the presence of the same God!).
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR US:
- We must see things from God’s perspective. Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. – Colossians 3:1-2
- We are to live rightly, seeking to live holy. Finally brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. – Philippians 4:8
