February 3rd - Consecrated or Counterfeit

Consecrated or Counterfeit

(Leviticus 8:1 – 10:20)

Nadab and Abihu

Colored Woodcut from The Nuremburg Bible

1483

Have you ever felt a certain uneasiness in your spirit during a worship service, a Bible study class, a theological seminar or even a spiritual retreat? I have.

Not long ago, I attended a prayer workshop at a local church. At the end of the session, the workshop leader invited all attendees to move to the altar area for personal prayer.

I shuffled to the front, eager to spend some quality time doing business with God. After a few minutes, having completed my own private prayer time, I stood to leave. Glancing around, I noticed several workshop attendees were flat on the floor, presumably “slain in the Spirit.”

Suddenly, the workshop leader grabbed me by both shoulders and peered directly into my eyes. At the same time, I could feel the leader’s hands pushing me backwards quite forcefully.

The leader was actually attempting to push me to the floor.

Although I have no doubt that the Holy Spirit of God can flatten praying people in a heartbeat, having witnessed and experienced it firsthand, this particular incident was clearly counterfeit. God does not need His servants to wrestle people to the floor.

I would like to believe that the workshop leader had godly intentions. At the same time, I could not help but wonder whether the body count might somehow have been a personal measure of session effectiveness.

Looking at Moses and Aaron’s sons

Today’s Bible readings trace the ordination of Aaron and his four sons for the holy priesthood of God. With the entire congregation assembled, Moses washed the men with water, anointed them with oil, clothed them with the sacred garments, presented a burnt offering on their behalf and marked them with the sacrificial blood. Finally, Moses instructed Aaron and his sons to partake of the consecrated food.

This passage simply oozes spiritual symbolism. How intriguing it is to ponder the deep spiritual truths behind each element of the priestly ordination process and its New Testament implications for the believer.

The biblical account continues, as the priests made sin offerings for themselves before they performed their priestly duties on behalf of the people.

What a vital step! How can any of us presume to lead others before we have allowed God to deal with the sin in our own lives? And who among us does not need to do this daily?

Nadab and Abihu find fake fire.

Finally, Aaron sacrificed the peace offering for the people. God sent holy fire to consume the offering, and the people rejoiced in awe at the manifest glory of God.

Soon afterwards, Aaron’s sons Nadab and Abihu tried to work a bit of holy fire on their own, bringing pre-lit censors into the Tent of Meeting. Their counterfeit flames led to divine judgment, and the two young men were struck dead on the spot.

Moses responded to this event by quoting the Lord:

“Then Moses said to Aaron,

‘It is what the Lord spoke, saying,

“By those who come near Me

I will be treated as holy,

And before all the people

I will be honored.”’

“So Aaron, therefore, kept silent.”

(Leviticus 10:3, NASB – emphasis added)

What a warning against counterfeit religion, manufactured miracles and phony fancies. The all-powerful God of the universe does not need for us to beef up His program to impress ourselves or others. He can bring His own holy fire, when He chooses to do so.

Will you pray with me?

Holy Lord,

Forgive us for seeking

Your wonders more than Your wisdom,

Your fire more than Your Fatherhood.

Teach us to wait

For Your timing.

Fill us with Your holy fire,

Grant us wisdom

And discernment

To spot imposters

And half-truths

And to recognize Your genuine power.

Rather than our own enthusiasm.

Temper our zeal,

So that we will focus

On You alone.

Amen.

February 2nd - A Foundation for Revelation

A Foundation for Revelation

(Exodus 39 - 40)

Tent of Meeting

From The Children’s Bible – Illustrated King James Version

Artist Unknown

“Reveal Your glory to us, O Lord.”

“Make Your Manifest Presence known among us, God.”

“Send revival, Lord.”

How often do we pray for such signs from the Lord? We ache for a mighty moving of God among us. What does it take for God to send revival on the earth?

The truth is echoed.

Today’s Bible reading outlines the production of the priestly garments, from the elegant ephod to the regal robe. Included is the gem-inlaid breastplate, with a dozen precious jewels to represent the twelve tribes of Israel. (Talk about family heirlooms! What a treasure for each tribe to have its own symbolic gemstone. If you ask me, that would surely beat a monthly birthstone, a clan tartan or even a family crest.)

High Priest in Robes and Breastplate

Artist Unknown

Wouldn't it be interesting to compare the description of the Old Testament priestly garments with the armor of God in Ephesians 6?

Throughout the wonderful weaving of the priestly garb, a single phrase is repeated. Surely, the Lord deems this truth vitally important, for it is echoed 18 times in Exodus 39 – 40:

“as the Lord commanded Moses”

In some Bible translations, the phrase may read, “as the Lord commanded him,” or a similar phrasing.

Finally, at the end of the entire process the Lord appeared:

“Then the cloud covered the Tabernacle,

and the glory of the Lord filled the Tabernacle.

Moses could no longer enter the Tabernacle

because the cloud had settled down over it,

and the glory of the Lord filled the Tabernacle.”

(Exodus 40:34-35, NLT, emphasis added)

Here’s what strikes me so strongly in this section. Perhaps the Lord has impressed you of the same truth.

We seem to expend plenty of time, energy and enthusiasm in urging the Lord to reveal His glory and power to us. We plead with God to show us His will for our lives. I know I surely have done so. What would happen, if we put the same effort into obeying the instructions the Lord has already given to us?

Today’s Bible reading reveals a nine-to-one ratio of obedience to God and His revelation to man. Could it be that God’s revelation and revival hinges somehow on our willingness to follow His leadership and the guidelines He has clearly outlined for us?

Might God be waiting to show His mighty wonders and pour out revival in our land until our hearts and lives belong wholly to Him?

Will you pray with me?

Majestic Master

And great God,

How we long to learn more of You.

We desire nothing more

Than to see Your face

And behold Your glory.

Purify our hearts.

Teach us to obey You

And to seek You first.

Break our hearts over our sin

And the sins that surround us.

Guide us to Your heart,

Where we may find Your mercy.

Prepare us

For Your revival

For Your glory alone.

Amen.

February 1st - Skilled and Willing

Skilled and Willing

(Exodus 35 - 38)

Moses and the Offering to Build the First Tabernacle

Public Domain Clip-Art

Today’s reading details the collection of the materials, recruitment of workers and construction of the Lord’s Tabernacle. Moses instructs the people exactly as God has instructed him.

Amid the intricate delineation of the project, a few phrases seem to leap off the page, as they are repeated so frequently. How many times (particularly in Exodus 35) can you find these phrases?

“all who were willing”

“the Lord has given skill and ability”

Of course, the phrases may appear in slightly different wordings, depending on the Bible translation you are using. But the twofold emphasis is clear.

Who is willing?

God has no staffing problems. With tens of thousands of heavenly hosts at His call, the Lord could certainly accomplish His work on earth without enlisting human aid. Still, He allows men and women to participate in His plan.

What is the primary prerequisite for serving the Lord? All He requires is a willing heart. Where does one obtain a willing heart? A truly pure and willing heart comes only from the Lord.

David prayed this way:

“Restore to me the joy of Your salvation,

and make me willing to obey You.”

(Psalm 51:12, NLT)

David also asked the Lord to make his heart pure and willing, so he could honor the Lord in truth:

“Accept, O Lord,

the willing praise of my mouth,

and teach me Your laws.”

(Psalm 119:108, NIV)

Millenia later, the Apostle Peter urged leaders to serve willingly as well, so that their service would please the Lord:

“Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you.

Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly –

not for what you will get out of it,

but because you are eager to serve God.”

(1 Peter 5:2, NLT)

Could it be, once again, that our attitudes are worth more to God than our actions?

Who has skill?

Throughout the building of the Lord’s Tabernacle, various skilled artisans and other workers were called to participate. Foremost in the process was the recognition that their talents and abilities, both creative and constructive, were God-given.

Once we are able to recognize that our skills and talents, our abilities and assets, come directly from the Lord, how can we not be willing to use them in His service?

Who has more than enough?

Moses encountered an astonishing dilemma, once the people caught the fever of freewill offerings of their time, talents and treasures to the Lord. The coffers overflowed with surplus resources.

In fact, Moses had to order the people to stop giving.

What would happen in our churches, our ministries and our communities, if willing hearts were unleashed in full force? What might be accomplished?

What would the world say, if ministry leaders had to instruct people that the accounts were overflowing, and folks were to stop giving? Can you just imagine?

Will you pray with me?

Mighty Lord,

You hold the keys to the universe.

You are in need of nothing.

But how we need You.

How blessed we are

That You are willing to include us

In Your work on earth.

Enlarge our hearts,

And remind us to be willing

When You call us

To give,

To serve

And to obey Your leading.

Only You are worthy.

Amen.