Our Duty is Obedience

Leviticus 10:1–3 (HCSB)

Aaron’s sons Nadab and Abihu each took his own firepan, put fire in it, placed incense on it, and presented unauthorized fire before the LORD, which He had not commanded them ‹to do›.

Then flames leaped from the LORD’s presence and burned them to death before the LORD.

So Moses said to Aaron, "This is what the LORD meant when He said:

I will show My holiness

to those who are near Me,

and I will reveal My glory

before all the people."

But Aaron remained silent.

I think that Nadab and Abihu just got “caught up” in the moment and decided to do “a little something extra.” But when the LORD says, “Do this” that is what you do. You don’t go beyond that. You don’t do less and you don’t do more. You do what God commanded.

We know we get into trouble when we take away from God’s commands, but do we know we get into trouble when we add to? When God is specific then we are to be just as specific. When we add a little something extra, thinking that is going to win favor with God, we are wrong. We don’t earn “extra credit” with God. He is worthy of our best just simply because He is worthy.

He reveals His holiness to those who are near Him. We draw near when we do what He says. If we want to see His glory—and we want others to see His glory—we must do what He says. It’s all about obedience!

Sin Is A Bloody Business!

Leviticus 5:7–10 (HCSB)

“But if he cannot afford an animal from the flock, then he may bring to the LORD two turtledoves or two young pigeons as restitution for his sin—one as a sin offering and the other as a burnt offering. He is to bring them to the priest, who will first present the one for the sin offering. He must twist its head at the back of the neck without severing ‹it›. Then he will sprinkle some of the blood of the sin offering on the side of the altar, while the rest of the blood is to be drained out at the base of the altar; it is a sin offering.

He must prepare the second ‹bird› as a burnt offering according to the regulation. In this way the priest will make atonement on his behalf for the sin he has committed, and he will be forgiven.”

This is only one example of the many sacrifices for sin recorded in Leviticus.

We learn by repetition. We understand by illustration. The entire sacrificial system was a teaching mechanism; more instructive in nature than redemptive. It taught by repetition and illustration. The blood of animals did not actually redeem. This was a “lay-away offering”—a deposit pointing ahead to that which truly would redeem—the blood of Christ.

But it also illustrates the true nature of sin. Our perspective of sin is different than God’s. We see sin as something sparkling, dazzling, alluring. We don’t see what God sees, that sin has dire and damaging consequences. Sin is that which snaps the neck of an innocent bird and squeezes out it’s blood!

Just one example: divorce. Think of the innocent children whose hearts are broken and lives are changed because mommy or daddy got bored and wanted to have “a little fling.” Redemption from sin is a nasty, ugly, bloody business because sin is a nasty, ugly, bloody business!

The Sacrifice

Leviticus 1:1-5 (HCSB)

“Then the LORD summoned Moses and spoke to him from the tent of meeting: ‘Speak to the Israelites and tell them: When any of you brings an offering to the LORD from the livestock, you may bring your offering from the herd or the flock. If his gift is a burnt offering from the herd, he is to bring an unblemished male. He must bring it to the entrance to the tent of meeting so that he may be accepted by the LORD. He is to lay his hand on the head of the burnt offering so it can be accepted on his behalf to make atonement for him. He is to slaughter the bull before the LORD; Aaron’s sons the priests are to present the blood and sprinkle it on all sides of the altar that is at the entrance to the tent of meeting.’”

We know this is a precursor of Christ’s sacrifice. The offering was to be “unblemished.” It was to be without defect, without fault—not a “factory second.” To be an acceptable substitute for us Jesus had to be perfect in His character and nature.

Taken “from the herd of flock” means He had to like us. To be our representative on the cross He had to be like us in every detail. This was the reason for the incarnation.

To be “accepted by the LORD” meant that He had to pass inspection. I believe this happened on the Mount of Transfiguration. Jesus was transfigured—tested by fire. In this case the fire was the glory of God. God’s verdict was, “This is My beloved Son in whom I am well pleased—hear Him!” In other words, He passed the test!

Laying hands on the sacrifice represented the transfer of guilt from the offerer to the offering. Hands were physically laid on Jesus as the guards slapped His face. On the cross our sins were laid on Him.

“Atonement” means “a covering.” His blood covers our sin. Now when God looks on us He no longer sees our sin and guilt, but He sees the pure, spotless blood of Christ shed on our behalf.

But that blood had to be spilt. Blood poured out represents the life of the sacrifice. The rule is “a life for a life.” My crime was high treason against the God of the universe. The sentence was death. The payment was “a life for a life.” Jesus stepped into my place and took my spot in that place of execution. He died for me. No truer words have ever been spoken, but the fullness of the truth has never been realized. May it’s reality sink into our hearts today!

Exodus 40:34–35 (HCSB)

“The cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. Moses was unable to enter the tent of meeting because the cloud rested on it, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.”

The glory of the LORD is simply His manifested presence. Wherever His presence is manifest, there is glory.

Ah, Christians read passages like this and say, “I would like to see the LORD’s glory.” You may, but there is a requirement to see it. we see this in the verse that immediately precedes this passage:

“Next Moses set up the surrounding courtyard for the tabernacle and the altar and hung a screen for the gate of the courtyard. So Moses finished the work (vs. 33).”

Notice those words: “So Moses finished the work.” God showed Moses what to do. When Moses had completed that assignment the glory came down.

We want the glory, but we don’t really want to pay the price of obedience. We just want God to show up and bless us “anyway.” It’s not going to happen. When we finish the assignment—whatever that is from God—then His glory is revealed.

What has God told you to do?

Do you really want to see His glory?

Finish the assignment.

The Lord Has Provided Everything

Exodus 31:1–6 (HCSB)

“The LORD also spoke to Moses: ‘Look, I have appointed by name Bezalel son of Uri, son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. I have filled him with God’s Spirit, with wisdom, understanding, and ability in every craft to design artistic works in gold, silver, and bronze, to cut gemstones for mounting, and to carve wood for work in every craft. I have also selected Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, to be with him. I have placed wisdom within every skilled craftsman in order to make all that I have commanded you….’”

There was a man named Mr. Brooks who was a member of a church I pastured in Alabama. He was a wealthy businessman, but he was unpretentious. He was also a southern gentleman. He spoke with a thick southern accent. His words dripped from his mouth like molasses from the bottle.

He asked me once, “Would you be offended if I bought you a suit?”

I said, “No sir I would not be offended. I would be honored and grateful.”

So we rode in his Cadillac to Dothan, Alabama. He said, “I have one stop I’d like to make while I’m here.”

We pulled into a jewelry shop. There he had his wristwatch appraised. It was a Rolex with a diamond-encrusted band around the face. He said, “This watch was a Christmas gift to me from my daughter.” Then he told me the whole story. He said he called his daughter up in Houston and said, “I know what I want you to get me for Christmas.”

She said, “Wonderful! What is it?”

He said, “A Rolex watch.”

She said, “Dad, those are very expensive watches. I cannot afford one of those.”

He said, “I know, sweetheart; I’m going to send you the money to pay for it.” And he did.

He knew what he wanted, and he provided what was needed to get it.

Our Heavenly Father is just like that. He makes demands of us. He has requirements. But everything He requires of us He provides for us—even the workers to build His tabernacle.

Let me give you one example. He demands that we be holy. We can’t be holy. So He has provided the Holy Spirit to dwell in us to enable us to be holy.

See, everything He requires of us—and I mean everything—He has graciously provided for us. There are no exceptions to this rule.

The Lord's Offering

Exodus 35:4–5 (HCSB)

“Then Moses said to the entire Israelite community, ‘This is what the LORD has commanded: Take up an offering for the LORD among you. Let everyone whose heart is willing bring this as the LORD’s offering….’”

Exodus 36:6–7 (HCSB)

After Moses gave an order, they sent a proclamation throughout the camp: "Let no man or woman make anything else as an offering for the sanctuary." So the people stopped. The materials were sufficient for them to do all the work. There was more than enough.

Can you imagine? What was a greater miracle: opening the Red Sea or opening the people’s hearts to give? Impossible to tell! But may the Lord open our hearts like that—beginning with mine! May I see that none of what I possess belongs to me, but it all belongs to the Lord. He puts it momentarily in my holding until He requires it. I have a big decision to make. May the Lord grant me the wisdom to know His will and the courage to do it!

Moses' Requests

Exodus 33:12–13 (HCSB)

Moses said to the LORD, "Look, You have told me, "Lead this people up,’ but You have not let me know whom You will send with me. You said, "I know you by name, and you have also found favor in My sight.’ Now if I have indeed found favor in Your sight, please teach me Your ways, and I will know You and find favor in Your sight. Now consider that this nation is Your people."

Notice that Moses did not say, “LORD, give me….” He was not looking at God’s hand. He was looking at God’s heart.

Moses made four requests. These were:

1. “Please teach me Your ways”

Moses wanted to know the LORD more intimately. He has seen the Lord’s miracles. Now he just wants to know the LORD Himself. Are we there? I think the average Christian is more concerned with seeing God’s wonders than knowing God’s ways. We want God’s hand, not His heart.

1. 2) “Go with us”

Moses said, “I and Your people will be distinguished by this from all the other people on the face of the earth” (33:16). Our distinguishing mark, our “brand”, is to be the presence of the LORD God with us. Alas, this is not the case today! We are recognized today by feuding and fighting amongst ourselves, and by what we are against. If God is with us, shouldn’t that be noticeable? After Pentecost some people were afraid to join the church because God was with them, and others were afraid not too! Either way, they could not be ignored! Today we go unnoticed—and this is our greatest shame!

1. 3) “Show me Your glory”

Moses was in over his head on this one! But, bless his heart, he wanted to be more intimately acquainted with the LORD. The Lord bless all of us who have that desire! A glimpse of glory is a good thing.

1. 4) “Forgive our wrongdoing and sin, and accept us as Your own possession”

This is the reason the LORD not being with them. They had sinned! They stubbornly persisted in disobedience. Are we not just like them? If we would obey the LORD would be evidently among us—and the nations would see His glory!