Leviticus 9:7-10:20 ~ Mark 4:26-5:20 ~ Psalm 37:30-40 ~ Proverbs 10:6-7
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Old Testament - Today in Leviticus chapter 9 we read about Aaron & his sons beginning their priestly ministry. I liked verse 24 as a closing verse to this chapter: "Fire blazed forth from the LORD's presence and consumed the burnt offering and the fat on the altar. When the people saw all this, they shouted with joy and fell face down on the ground." I think what this verse does for me is to really confirm that all of the Offerings we are reading about in Leviticus were ordained by God at that time and that what we are reading about in Leviticus is truly part of God's story. Not that I ever doubted this fact - but, when you read about God consuming the offering in fire in such a dramatic fashion, you realize that God was fully pleased with the priest's and the people's obedience. The Offerings are part of God's story - and are foreshadowing the final Offering of Jesus on the cross. Do you believe the Offerings are a part of our spiritual history?
In Leviticus chapter 10 we read about the disobedience of Nadab and Abihu. You'll recall 2 days ago that we read in Leviticus Chapter 6 verse 13: "Remember, the fire must be kept burning on the altar at all times. It must never go out." Commentaries state that the fire was never to go out because the fire was started by God. Humans were not to bring man-made fire to the altar, or they would die. I realize that this can seem like a very harsh punishment for disobedience. Commentaries suggest that because Nadab and Abihu were in such high spiritual leadership positions, their disobedience carried the risk of leading many people astray. One commentary at this link suggests that Nadab and Abihu may have been intoxicated on wine, based on God's subsequent instruction for priestly worship in Leviticus 10:9 - "You and your descendants must never drink wine or any other alcoholic drink before going into the Tabernacle. If you do, you will die." It may help to remember that we saw disobedience from others earlier in the Bible - and we'll see disobedience again later in the Bible - without the consequence of immediate death. But, in this case, disobedience brought death. Think about the risk of disobedience in our lives today. Yeah, sure, maybe we can get away with something dangerous/disobedient 9 times out of 10 - but, there is always the risk that perhaps the 10th time could prove lethal. So - why take the risk of disobedience at all? Is it worth it? Ever?
New Testament - I love the parable of the growing seed in Mark chapter 4 verses 26-29. This parable only occurs in the Gospel of Mark. I equate the seed to be the Gospel, which is filled with so much power and truth and life that "the seeds sprouted and grew without the farmer's help, because the earth produces crops on its own." The Gospel message is so powerful on its own that it will produce a bountiful crop. Or - maybe the Bible is another way to look at the seed. Reading and studying the Bible will ultimately produce a bountiful crop in our lives. It can't help but not do so. What do you think the seed represents in this parable? I'll share with you that I have been thinking more and more about farming these days - and the wisdom in how farming works. You plant, you water, you care for the soil, you wait, the plant grows. And this takes time. You reap what you sow. And I contrast this with our society today - or myself - and how everything moves so fast. We want instant gratification. Now! :) We don't like to wait on anything. We don't like the concept of farming... and I'm afraid that this speed of life today can really be unhealthy - or maybe superficial is the word I'm looking for. In any case, I think the patience and process of farming is something that has so much value for us still today. If we are struggling with sins or sadness or whatever, I think we absolutely need to take these things to Jesus for healing - but, we would do well to realize that Jesus may want to do some farming in our hearts. He may want to plant some seeds, and give the seeds some time to grow. Sure, maybe sometimes we'll get an instant gratification healing or answer. But I think more often than not we should be ready for some farming to occur in our hearts. And to thank God for the wisdom of this process!
I think my little tangent on farming and being patient during the process, above, might play in well to Jesus' next parable of the mustard seed in verses 30 through 32: "Jesus asked, "How can I describe the Kingdom of God? What story should I use to illustrate it? It is like a tiny mustard seed. Though this is one of the smallest of seeds, it grows to become one of the largest of plants, with long branches where birds can come and find shelter."" I think if we can have faith in the seed that Jesus plants in our hearts - be it the Gospel, the Bible, healing, patience, faith - we will see an amazing plant grow that will ultimately bless others. From the tiniest beginnings, with patience and faith, can come the largest of plants. Will you let Jesus plant a needed mustard seed in your heart? And will you be patient and allow the seed time & space to grow?
Commentary from Bob Deffinbaugh at Bible.org on Mark chapter 4 titled "The Meaning of the Miracles" is at this link. Commentary from Bible.org on Jesus healing a demon possessed man in Mark chapter 5 titled the "Gerasene Demoniac" is at this link. Below is an image for the end of chapter 4 where we read about Jesus calming the storm:
Psalms - Psalm 37 verses 30 & 31 read like amazing Proverbs: "The godly offer good counsel; they know what is right from wrong. They fill their hearts with God's law, so they will never slip from his path." Are you filling your heart with God's teachings? Are you doing this so that you will never slip from His path? Are you offering good counsel to those around you? When others around you see you, do they see someone that clearly knows what is right from wrong? Below is a little Right & Wrong sign humor for you :) -
Proverbs - Proverbs 10 verse 7 is so simple but so true... "We all have happy memories of the godly, but the name of a wicked person rots away." Who do you have happy memories of? Who have you forgotten? How will you be remembered? What will be your legacy?
Worship God: Proverbs 10:7 reminds me of the song "Legacy" by Nicole Nordeman:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vbi4nSrhRxo
Do you know your eternal Legacy? Click here to meet your Legacy Maker!
Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: "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." Leviticus 9:24 NIV
Prayer Point: Pray that you will shout for joy for the Lord. Pray that you will humble yourself to fall before the Lord face down on the ground.
Comments from You & Question of the Day - What do you think of my farming analogies in the NT reflections above? Has our modern world forgotten about some of the principles of farming the land? Have we forgotten that we reap what we sow? Have we lost our patience, to the point where we will not even wait for the harvest to come in at its appointed time? Are we trying to control things in our modern day life that aren't controllable? Such as the "pace" at which a seed grows into a plant and a plant into a full harvest? In losing some of our knowledge of the principles of farming and growing, are we at risk of losing ourselves? Also, what verses or insights stand out to you in today's readings? Please post up by clicking on the "Comments" link below!
Love, Trust, and Obey Jesus,
Mike
What Nadab and Abihu did was an act of deliberate sin made because they felt they could either rely on their own ability to start the fire or that their power from being a priest would enhance the power of God. Either they saw no reason to keep the altar fire burning as instructed in 6:12-13 because they knew they could easily relight it themselves which is probably what happened - or - the fire was still as burning as instructed but they decided that their priestly positions gave them power equal to the power of God which they demonstrated by adding their own additional fire to the altar. In either case God punished them by consuming them with fire.
Aaron had just seen his two oldest sons and his two remaining sons Elezar and Ithamar had just seen their brothers burned to ashes. Moses instructed the three of them not to leave the tabernacle to grieve with the people or to tear their clothes or let their hair go uncombed as a sign of mourning because they were to continue performing their priestly duty of offering sin sacrifices to God on behalf of the people and they did as were instructed. They did not turn their backs on God or refuse to perform their duties. However, after they burned the sin offering for their own sin and the sins of the people, they did not eat the meat as instructed. Moses approached them angrily demanding to know why they didn’t eat the meat. Aaron basically explained to Moses that they had done all they were suppose to do except they were to upset to eat after just watching Nadab and Abihu having been burned to a crisp, and then Moses understood and had compassion on them.
This is comforting to me because just as Moses had compassion when he realized how much Aaron, Elezar and Ithamar were hurting, Christ has compassion for us when we are deeply upset or hurting. God knows and considers what is taking place in our hearts. There are times when we hurt too deeply to pray and the Holy Spirit intervenes for us during those times. There are times when we have such pressing matters going on in our lives that even though we read the Scripture we are not aware of what we read, but God knows we are doing the best that we can do at that time. There are times when for some reason or another we cannot make ourselves enter the door of the church, but God still loves us and stays with us.
God bless!
Pat
Posted by: Pat | February 19, 2011 at 11:42 PM
I find the need to remind myself to wait for God. I thik of Psalm 37:7 Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him:...
I think the analogy of farming is appropriate. We have to be willing to work long hours, to sacrifice for the crop and know that in Gods time we will reap what has been sown.
I am reading "A Walk Across the Room" by Hiebel and it is a great book about personal evangelism. The point of it is to take chances, build relationships with everyone for they are Gods children, pray for the Holy Spirit to use your life to the benefit of others walk. We do not know the impact on another persons life of a kind word, a helping hand, or any simple act, but if we are available to God his will and path for us will be done.
We may never see the crop, but if we are faithful then it will be more abundant than we can imagine.
Posted by: Jenniffer Hosler | February 20, 2011 at 08:58 AM
Thank u for the comment on Moses compassion on Aaron et el.Sometimes we hurt and we do not even realise it.Only the fruit of that pain is evidenced in other areas of our lives.But God comes and through a simple teaching like this brings light on the the root of our actions.Which he has done for me tonight.
Thank you so much for helping me see that.
God bless you.
R
Posted by: Roaline Brown | February 20, 2011 at 10:04 AM
Mark 4:26-32 The parables of the growing seed and the mustard seed
Jesus speaks of the parable of the growing seed followed by yet another parable, the mustard seed. He spoke in farming terms because most of them understood farming. It’s interesting that Jesus spoke to them in terms they understood (farming) but spoke in parables they couldn’t understand. When you think about it, it makes sense and isn’t a contradiction. The parable which they didn’t understand is like the seed (we don’t understand how it works) no one really understands how a tiny acorn becomes a mighty oak tree.
Jesus spoke in parables sometimes because He knew that would not be able is accept what he was saying at the time He was saying it and like the seed it would germinate in their minds over time, kind of like the subconscious mind mulling it over without really thinking about it. The growing seed is like this, we do nothing but plant it and as we sleep it continues to work developing just as it was created to do. The mustard seed caught my eye regarding the birds lodging in its branches, our property has lots of mustard seed growing on it around the avocado grove and it never gets much bigger than waist high and never strong enough to support a bird or a nest.
I read several commentaries on the mustard seed and though it speaks of what develops from a small amount of faith into something very large (speaking of the church) the birds lodging in the branches is unnatural and symbolizes something that has grown beyond the size it was suppose to grow and has been infiltrated by evil. What started as a small home fellowship in some cases has grown to mega status churches that have lost their way and are not what God intended when planted.
Posted by: Steve T | February 20, 2011 at 10:12 AM
We have to wait on the Lord for the answers to prayer. This is one of the hardest lessons to learn for God's children. We have to be like Abraham and be willing to be even a hundred years old before we get the carnal desires of our heart. In the meantime, we have to just trust in God that He knows the desires of our heart. Imagine the wisdom Abraham must have accrued already to be able to pass on to his son, Isaac by the time he was born. Often young parents have children and don't really know how to teach them and show them a proper example. By the time Isaac was born, and grown a little, Abraham had enough faith in God to even offer him on an altar to the Lord. Imagine what message of faith this must have taught to Isaac. Abraham was not even granted the promised land except one patch of ground with which to bury his wife Sarah, but he was looking for another city. When the hopes and dreams we seek in this world are not realized, we can not seek them on our own terms, but become more aquainted with God while waiting, and as the song goes,
Turn your eyes unto Jesus,
Look full on his wonderful face,
And the things of the earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of his glory and grace
Give yourself to excelling in His word and in the ministry and evangelization of the Gospel when you are wearied in waiting for the things of the earth. God bless you!
Posted by: Kristofer Moore | February 20, 2011 at 08:16 PM
I agree that the mustard tree harboring the birds is not a terribly positive development.
Posted by: bajo | February 20, 2011 at 10:06 PM
i must admit that once i read that God burnt Nadab and Abihu i was in shock. Leviticus has been pretty the same tune then that just happened and i just couldnt believe it. i asked a pal who i am doing the 1 yr year bible what they thought about it and they too could not come up with an answer. i think that simply put, if God has personally hand picked you and given you specific instructions, keep to them especially as they regarded the holiness of the tabernacle. think we should all respect Holy ground. When we are in church we should realize exactly where we are and in whose presence we are in. i was just amazed that God could do that.
and i am one who lives on seeking instant gratification and i realize this is sooo wrong. I pray that i change my ways and that i wait for the fruits that God and Jesus have planted in me to ripen fully. its my 1st year doing the one year bible and i thank you for what you are doing Mike.
Amen
Posted by: Zig | February 21, 2011 at 08:35 AM