.. In verse 8 it says that YHWH spoke directly to Aaron. This was unusual. Aaron must have felt the weight of God's attention on him. God said that none of the priests are to drink wine or strong drink while they were doing service before God. This does not mean that they could not drink alcohol when they were outside the tabernacle, but only when they were performing priestly duties before God. This statute concerning drinking wine and alcohol was to drive home to Aaron and the priests the seriousness of distinguishing the holy from unholy (referring to worship actions and common actions, not necessarily right and wrong actions). God also told Aaron that it would be his job to teach the people all of the statutes given to Moses.
Next, Moses instructs Aaron and his sons to eat the remaining meat offering (unleavened bread) in the holy place beside the altar as it is their portion of this sacrifice. They also were to eat the thigh and breast offerings that are wave and heave offerings before God as this is their share of the meat of the peace offering.
Next, Moses inquires about the sin offering (a goat). The sons were to eat it, but instead they had burned it on the altar.
So, they were trying to follow God's rules, but erred in this respect. This was different from Nadab and Abihu. They were not trying to be presumptuous. They didn't feel worthy to eat the offering after the sins and deaths of Nadab and Abihu. Moses set them straight on how this is to be done. Yet, Moses was content with Aaron's explanation. So, in light of what happened in this chapter, there must have been a big difference between the attitudes of the hearts of Aaron, Eliazar and Ithamar verses Nadab and Abihu.
May we grow in grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ in fear and reverence of Him, recognizing he is holy and pure. May we not treat Him commonly or casually like a buddy or worse. May we honor Him and praise Him with true affection and worship.
Did you not notice that ,God's commandment in verse 9 of Leviticus chapter 8 , about priests not drinking wine before they enter the tabernacle , comes immediately after the incident with Nadab and Abihu ? Personally , I believe these things are written in the order that they are because that's what happened with Nadab and Abihu . I think that they had maybe had a drink of wine and got a very silly idea in their heads which they then executed and then they were executed .
Amen! I love what you said last about how we should honor Jesus and not treat him casually. I have a friend who is an unbeliever, he will casually toss God's name around like it was his own. Since he doesn't believe in him he doesn't think anything of his name. But a change in him. I would really like it if everyone would just pray that the LORD works in his life.
Dear Heavenly Father, Help us to always honor Your name and that of Your Son, Jesus and that of the Holy Spirit. We all need to grow in reverence of You and in proclaiming Your name rightly. Today we bring before You this friend of Leviticus Boy and ask that you move in his life today to draw him to You for salvation. We pray that the Holy Spirit will bring to him the conviction of sin and his standing before You as a sinner. Cause him to seek You today for forgiveness, salvation, and a new life in You. We ask this of You, Father, in the name of Jesus. Amen.
.. In verse 8 it says that YHWH spoke directly to Aaron. This was unusual. Aaron must have felt the weight of God's attention on him. God said that none of the priests are to drink wine or strong drink while they were doing service before God. This does not mean that they could not drink alcohol when they were outside the tabernacle, but only when they were performing priestly duties before God. This statute concerning drinking wine and alcohol was to drive home to Aaron and the priests the seriousness of distinguishing the holy from unholy (referring to worship actions and common actions, not necessarily right and wrong actions). God also told Aaron that it would be his job to teach the people all of the statutes given to Moses.
Next, Moses instructs Aaron and his sons to eat the remaining meat offering (unleavened bread) in the holy place beside the altar as it is their portion of this sacrifice. They also were to eat the thigh and breast offerings that are wave and heave offerings before God as this is their share of the meat of the peace offering.
Next, Moses inquires about the sin offering (a goat). The sons were to eat it, but instead they had burned it on the altar.
So, they were trying to follow God's rules, but erred in this respect. This was different from Nadab and Abihu. They were not trying to be presumptuous. They didn't feel worthy to eat the offering after the sins and deaths of Nadab and Abihu. Moses set them straight on how this is to be done. Yet, Moses was content with Aaron's explanation. So, in light of what happened in this chapter, there must have been a big difference between the attitudes of the hearts of Aaron, Eliazar and Ithamar verses Nadab and Abihu.
May we grow in grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ in fear and reverence of Him, recognizing he is holy and pure. May we not treat Him commonly or casually like a buddy or worse. May we honor Him and praise Him with true affection and worship.
Perhaps so. But the text does not explicitly state that is the case, but it may explain their behavior.
May the LORD bless you and keep you all!
Dear Heavenly Father, Help us to always honor Your name and that of Your Son, Jesus and that of the Holy Spirit. We all need to grow in reverence of You and in proclaiming Your name rightly. Today we bring before You this friend of Leviticus Boy and ask that you move in his life today to draw him to You for salvation. We pray that the Holy Spirit will bring to him the conviction of sin and his standing before You as a sinner. Cause him to seek You today for forgiveness, salvation, and a new life in You. We ask this of You, Father, in the name of Jesus. Amen.
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