I read this morning in Leviticus 10, about the tragic death of Aaron's two sons. The priesthood has just been established for Israel. Aaron is the high priest, his two sons Nadab and Abihu his assistants. They "offered unauthorized fire before the Lord contrary to his command."So God sends fire and they are consumed. Why did God execute them?
Moses reported to Aaron what God said, "Among those who approach me I will show myself holy; in the sight of all the people I will be honoured." 10:3 What seems like very severe punishment is apparently a demonstration by God to impress on his people that He is a holy God and worship of Him is not to be taken lightly.
I wondered today whether what happened to Ananias and Sapphira, recorded in Acts 5, is a parallel event. In Leviticus it is the beginning of worship for the people of Israel. For the church in Acts it is at the beginning of Christian offerings to the Lord. In these two events is God making the same point to His people? Does author Luke want us to see this as a NT parallel? God wants this NT community of faith to know He is holy and cannot be deceived. (Or is it more of a parallel with what is recorded in Joshua 7, as some people feel?) Just wondering.
But regarding the holiness of God, and the fact that He is worthy of our worship in spirit and in truth - about that we don't need to wonder.
Moses reported to Aaron what God said, "Among those who approach me I will show myself holy; in the sight of all the people I will be honoured." 10:3 What seems like very severe punishment is apparently a demonstration by God to impress on his people that He is a holy God and worship of Him is not to be taken lightly.
I wondered today whether what happened to Ananias and Sapphira, recorded in Acts 5, is a parallel event. In Leviticus it is the beginning of worship for the people of Israel. For the church in Acts it is at the beginning of Christian offerings to the Lord. In these two events is God making the same point to His people? Does author Luke want us to see this as a NT parallel? God wants this NT community of faith to know He is holy and cannot be deceived. (Or is it more of a parallel with what is recorded in Joshua 7, as some people feel?) Just wondering.
But regarding the holiness of God, and the fact that He is worthy of our worship in spirit and in truth - about that we don't need to wonder.
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