In the course of my daily reading I read these interesting yet very concerning verses in the book of Leviticus:
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. So fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed them, and they died before the LORD. Leviticus 10:1-2
One of our pastors referred to the fire as pyrotechnics. I thought that would make a good title.
Nabad and Abihu were professional priests. They were supposed to know what they were doing. In this case they did something God had not authorized them to do and the result was fatal. Clearly God takes the roles of ministers very seriously. However, more than just the seriousness of priestly duties, verse 10 tells us the real reason behind why God killed those men:
You must distinguish between the holy and the common, between the unclean and the clean, and you must teach the Israelites all the decrees the LORD has given them through Moses.” Leviticus 10:10-11
God needed to make sure the priests who taught His people could discern between what was holy and what was common. However this issue of holiness does not end with ministers but extends to all believers.
for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” 1Peter 1:16
In essence whether we are ministers or not God wants us to be able to distinguish between the holy and the common. Holiness has much to do with prayer and fire. Whenever we pray and come before the presence of God we are drawn into the presence of God’s Holiness.
Like fire, His Holiness exposes the hidden issues in our lives that cannot be tolerated if we are to get deeper into the things of God. Once exposed the same fire burns the unholy in our lives and purifies us. This way we can go deeper and further into our relationship with God. The fact is every time we stand before God in prayer we are exposed to His Holiness. He is ready to make us holy if we are willing.
As Bob Sorge said: “Holiness is to prayer as gasoline is to fire.” The more holiness the more power to pray and the more we pray the more holiness we get.
Comments