February 3

Leviticus 8-10

Becoming a Priest

Over the next 30 days, we will enter into the most difficult part of our yearly journey. We will be reading the details of sacrifices, duties and laws that priests would be responsible for. Hang in there and be disciplined to read every day. Catching up with two or three days of reading can seem like a Mount Everest to climb over.

One of the most important truths to keep in mind is that these passages were actually written for us.

They will teach us: Romans 15:4 for everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

They will warn us: I Cor 10:11 These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come.

When we get to the New Testament we realize a tremendous change has occurred. God originally called the nation of Israel to be a nation of priests, but the people rejected that offer and asked for Moses and Aaron to be their priests. But when the church is established at Pentecost, God goes back to the original plan and makes everyone in the church a priest.

1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

God has called you to be a royal priesthood, so welcome to the ministry!!! What is interesting is that we are not given any further instructions. So how do we know what a priest does? Has a light suddenly popped into your head.... our reading over the next 30 days will be our job description.

The story of Nadab and Abihu give us a huge warning. God has given us specific instructions on how we are to approach him. Worship isn’t something we just feel. We don’t just “wing it” as a priest. Nadab and Abidu didn’t follow the instructions. They made light of their responsibility and because of it, they paid a huge price. It cost them their lives.

Leviticus 10:1-2 Aaron's sons Nadab and Abihu took their censers, put fire in them and added incense; and they offered unauthorized fire before the Lord, contrary to his command. 2So fire came out from the presence of the Lord and consumed them, and they died before the Lord.

The explanation of what they did wrong is deduced in the next few verses. They were drunk when they were doing their duties. This shows us their heart. They disrespected God and were more concerned with their own agenda than his.

As priests we don’t make up the rules for the game. God makes up the rules, and he expects us to follow them. The point of the next 30 days of reading is that we must make a distinction between the God we feel and the God who is revealed. In a day when most people don’t believe in absolute truth, we stand against the demagoguery and say there are absolutes that stand as pillars for our lives and our culture. As priests, we are to show people these absolutes and how they apply to life.