Day 46 – Leviticus 8-10

Talking Points

• Aaron and his sons are consecrated for service as priests for the nation. “…atonement was made on their behalf” (8:34). Their sin must be addressed and paid for, “so [they] would not die.”
• After the period of consecration, they make sacrifices to make atonement for themselves, and then for the people.
• When the sacrifices were completed, and atonement was made, Aaron stands before the people, raises his arms and blesses them.
• With this act, the perpetual priesthood is instituted. God’s chosen priest would carry the sacrifices to God on behalf of the people, and then, with sin addressed he would offer God’s blessing to the people. In this transaction, we see the role of the priest start to foreshadow our final High Priest, Jesus. When He came, He offered atonement for sin to God, and with sin addressed, carried God’s blessing back to the people. Unlike the earthly priest’s transaction, however, Jesus doesn’t just perform the sacrifice. As the Lamb of God, He is the Sacrifice!
• After introducing each specific step of the process, Nadab and Abihu did not act in exact obedience, and God consumed them in fire. Moses explains God’s judgment to Aaron, and the Bible says, “he kept silent.” As a public display, Aaron’s two cousins carry the bodies out of camp. This event was to make clear to everyone the distinction between what was “holy” and what was “profane.”

Thoughts

What kind of God do we serve? Is He really so harsh as to strike down brothers for a single instance of disobedience? Really? What happened to the God of love and His amazing grace? Do we like this picture of God? Should we?

Here is the crazy, deep, magnificent truth of our God:

He is just — absolutely, ridiculously, perfectly just. There is no bend in His justice. No give at all. He is not swayed by politics or public opinion. God doesn’t play games, nor can He be bought with a bribe. The Lord is perfect in His upholding and administration of justice. He is just. And, so, He executes His judgment and is right in it. God punishes sin. He strikes down two brothers for their disobedience. He sends people to hell. He is just.

He is gracious — absolutely, ridiculously, perfectly gracious. God forgives sin. He cleans off records, granting mercy where it is far from due. The Lord tells sinners their debt is reconciled, paid up, redeemed. And, He pays the price Himself. God forgives sinners. He saves people from hell. He is gracious.

Same God.

And, if you feel like you’re stuck between two pictures of God that cannot reconcile — meet Jesus! In Him, justice is perfect and grace is abundant. In Him, justice is carried out and sinners are pardoned. In Him, the glory of the greatness of our God is revealed — both perfect in justice and great in grace. Praise the Lord!