Courtney Gilmore God tasked Aaron & his sons with the job of priests & He gave them very detailed instructions about how to perform their duties. Two of Aaron’s sons disobeyed God’s instructions, did things their own way, & were killed. After their death, God said, “By those who come near Me, I must be regarded as holy. Before all the people, I must be glorified.” Leviticus 10:3
God’s explanation seems to indicate that Aaron’s sons had been irreverent & flippant & that they didn’t treat the Lord with the proper respect. God is Holy, set apart from all others. He couldn’t permit His servants to approach Him in such a casual & common way. Israel’s leaders were required to treat Him with honor & respect and teach others to do the same. Proverbs 19:16 says, “He who keeps the commandment keeps his soul, but he who is careless of his ways will die.”
God also told Aaron & his other two sons not to spend their time mourning over them. They needed to focus on their job & take it seriously. Nadab & Abihu did not & they suffered for it.
Then God reminded them that not only were they supposed to perform sacrifices & daily tasks, but it was also their job to “distinguish between holy and unholy, and between unclean and clean, that you may teach the children of Israel all the statutes which the Lord has spoken.” Leviticus 10:10-11
Jesus came to do away with the priestly order of the Levites & usher in a new priesthood of believers. “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” 1 Peter 2:9
So now, all who have accepted the sacrifice of Jesus, have been called into the priesthood. We are His servants & workers in His Kingdom. We too need to take our work seriously. “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15
Satan is constantly searching for prey. He is looking to see who is weak so that he can distract us, tempt us, & pull us away from the work that God has for us. We have to be aware! “Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” 1 Peter 5:8
Like the priests, we need to give God the glory, honor, & respect He deserves & demonstrate to others the proper way to treat a Holy God. “As He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:16
Also, as His servants, we need to learn God’s laws & follow them. Then we can teach others. “Take careful heed to do the commandment and the law which Moses the servant of the Lord commanded you, to love the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways, to keep His commandments, to hold fast to Him, and to serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul.” Joshua 22:5
There’s no room for carelessness or indifference when it comes to our God or the souls of His people. He expects more from those that are closest to Him.
Excerpt from Episode 78 “A Serious Job” on Podcast and YouTube
