The Serious Business of Coming Before the LORD

DAY 35 10-24-09 LEVITICUS 9-10

Good Morning!

To teach his people the seriousness of being in his presence, the Lord has shown them his terrible glory; given his direct instructions to follow; and now, has lashed out with a death sentence to the priests, Nadab and Abihu.

It’s too bad this episode is no longer seen as an example of the seriousness of approaching God. The extremists among us have messed it up for everyone. I’ve heard this episode used as a warning against chewing gum or wearing shorts. On the other end, I’ve seen this completely ignored and viewed as irrelevant by those who think they have the liberty to approach God in any way they think is cool.

Being in God’s presence in worship and in daily life is serious and a blessing at the same time. God went to the ends he did to teach his children to be humble, respectful, and obedient. Worship is not to be a common activity. It is not to be a gloom and doom solemn event; or a free-for-all either. If worship is a boring ritualistic event, or an unbiblical show, it only indicates how we have missed God’s point. Too bad for us.

Lev 9:5-6 Then the whole community came forward and stood before the Lord. And Moses said, "This is what the Lord has commanded you to do so that the glory of the Lord may appear to you."


Lev 9:23-24 The glory of the Lord appeared to the whole community. Fire blazed forth from the Lord's presence and consumed the burnt offering and the fat on the altar. When the people saw this, they shouted with joy and fell face down on the ground.


Lev 10:3 'I will display my holiness through those who come near me. I will display my glory before all the people.'"


Lev 10:10-11 You must distinguish between what is sacred and what is common, between what is ceremonially unclean and what is clean. And you must teach the Israelites all the decrees that the Lord has given them through Moses."

Living before God in daily life sacrificial worship and on the Lord’s Day must return to the special; God-focused; word-directed; humbling; and joyous event God intended it to be.

Barry