Day 50

We are in the heart of Leviticus this week and holiness is the topic.  Now, I've got a confession to make, and perhaps you can relate to what I'm going to tell you.  The first few times I took on reading through the Bible, when I would get to the book of Leviticus I would accomplish some of the fastest speed reading you could ever imagine.  As you go through the book you read about rules for cleansing, rules for food, rules for priests, and so on.  Regardless of my initial reaction, there is a theme that runs through the book that is perhaps more essential and impactful to my everyday life than maybe the themes in many of the other books.
         The theme is holiness.  Prayerfully, as you read this book you will see something that relates very directly to yourself, and that is that God desires that His people are holy and pursuing holiness.  “For I am the LORD your God.  You must consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am holy… For I, the LORD, am the one who brought you up from the land of Egypt, that I might be your God.  Therefore, you must be holy because I am holy.” (Lev. 11:44-45).

Leviticus 9-11.  “Fear is Respect”

         Since the start of Leviticus, we have been reading very specific rules for the priests concerning offerings.  Chapters eight and nine were discussing their ordination ceremony.  It was an elaborate time of dedicating themselves to the service of God.
         They were the intercessors for the people, and it was a position only available to the descendants of Aaron.  For Nadab and Abihu, perhaps some of this went to their head.  Pride may have been a factor in their sin (10:1-2).  Alcohol may have been an issue (10:8-9).  Complacency was possibly an issue, as they really did not care to follow the rules about where the fire and the incense came from.  But, one thing that most certainly was a factor was their disrespect for the Almighty God.
         I have a problem with Christians who say, “We really don’t need to fear God.  We just need to respect Him.”  The character of the Holy One, Judge and Creator demands something more than respect.  “He will be glorified before all the people” (10:3).

General Questions for each day:
Summarize the day’s Bible passage in your own words.
What thoughts, actions, attitudes or beliefs are addressed in the passage?
How is the Holy Spirit leading you to apply this passage to your life today?