Texts That Give God A Bad Name
The occasion was the consecration of the Hebrew priests and the tabernacle. Moses had followed God’s commands (Rules for sacrifices are found in Leviticus 1-7) in consecrating Aaron and his sons (chapters 8 and 9) and now in the climactic moment God indwells the tabernacle before the people. In a sense it is the foundation of the great cry from the throne in Revelation 21 “Now the tent of God is with the people!”.
Leviticus 9:22–24 (NIV)
22 Then Aaron lifted his hands toward the people and blessed them. And having sacrificed the sin offering, the burnt offering and the fellowship offering, he stepped down. 23 Moses and Aaron then went into the tent of meeting. When they came out, they blessed the people; and the glory of the Lord appeared to all the people. 24 Fire came out from the presence of the Lord and consumed the burnt offering and the fat portions on the altar. And when all the people saw it, they shouted for joy and fell facedown.
This is the moment that God and his people have been waiting for. It is the undoing of the rebellion in the Garden of Eden. It is the reconciliation of people to God. It is a moment of consummation.
And then this happened.
Leviticus 10:1–2 (NIV)
1 Aaron’s sons Nadab and Abihu took their censers, put fire in them and added incense; and they offered unauthorized fire before the Lord, contrary to his command. 2 So fire came out from the presence of the Lord and consumed them, and they died before the Lord.
Aaron remained silent as he saw the Lord’s fire kill his sons, just recently consecrate with him for the priesthood.
Moses tells Aaron’s cousins to come and take out the bodies.
Leviticus 10:6–7 (NIV)
6 Then Moses said to Aaron and his sons Eleazar and Ithamar, “Do not let your hair become unkempt and do not tear your clothes, or you will die and the Lord will be angry with the whole community. But your relatives, all the Israelites, may mourn for those the Lord has destroyed by fire. 7 Do not leave the entrance to the tent of meeting or you will die, because the Lord’s anointing oil is on you.” So they did as Moses said.
What’s Wrong with Religion
Last week we talked about why so many have turned their back on religion in favor of spirituality. The god of religion like we find in the Bible, and especially in the book of Leviticus is
- meets out inordinate punishment for violation of petty rules
- uncaring about human beings or their feelings
- such texts invite modern religious person to be petty about arbitrary rules and uncaring about the feelings even of loved ones.
Stumbling Stones Continue reading →
