God’s Way, Man’s Way
This morning I attended the Larimer County Boys & Girls Club annual breakfast. It was a recognition of the “students of the month” from each program and the “Student of the Year.” The student of the year presented an outstanding speech. It was well organized, delivered without notes, with a flawless presentation. Rightfully so, she received a standing ovation. I told her after the event that as someone who has made his living with words, I admire here more than anyone the quality of her presentation. I wish her well in all of her dreams and pursuits.
BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…. “Then Aaron lifted up his hands toward the people and blessed them, and he came down from offering the sin offering and the burnt offering and the peace offerings….And fire came out from before the Lord and consumed the burnt offering and the pieces of fat on the altar, and when all the people saw it, they shouted and fell on their faces.” Leviticus 9:22,24 ESV
As the instructions concerning sacrifices were given, the time had come for the instructions to be put into practice. Aaron was sanctified as High Priest. As such, Aaron, as the mediator between the people and God, followed the Lord’s instructions. Having offered sacrifices on behalf of the people, he turns and blesses the people on behalf of the Lord.
The acceptance of the offering is signaled when fire comes from heaven and consumes the sacrifice. This certainly would get anyone’s attention. The people rightly shouted and fell on their faces. It was probably fear, mixed with awe and worship.
The writer of Hebrews admonishes, “…worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our “God is a consuming fire.” (Hebrews 12:28,29 NIV)
We see the fire of God fall years later when Solomon dedicated the Temple of the Lord. Just as the first sacrifice in the wilderness was consumed by the fire of God, the first sacrifice of the Temple in Jerusalem was consumed by the fire of God.
Then the people are astonished by what happens shortly after this. “Now Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, each took his censer and put fire in it and laid incense on it and offered unauthorized fire before the Lord, which he had not commanded them. And fire came out from before the Lord and consumed them, and they died before the Lord.” (Leviticus 10:1,2 ESV)
The fire of God consumed the sacrifice done properly and in obedience. The fire of God consumed the men offering a sacrifice who did so out of presumption and disobedience. Aaron alone was the High Priest, sanctified to offer sacrifices and incense before the Lord. Nadab and Abihu, may have meant well, but the people quickly learned that doing the right thing in the right way was critical for a Holy God.
These two men were not authorized to offer the incense and the offering was not authorized either. They were already usurping God’s instructions and offering worship in their “own way.”
I believe the key point here is that there is not multiple ways to receive acceptance and forgiveness from the Lord. This principle in the Old Testament, is reinforced in the New Testament when scripture declares, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12 NIV)
When someone determines their own standards of acceptance before God, they are like Aaron’s sons offering “unauthorized fire” before the Lord. I have had individuals tell me, how they have “lived a good life”, or offer some other rationale or justification and conclude: “that should be good enough for God!” In other words they are dictating to God that standards of salvation and acceptance in His sight! They are saying, “this is my sacrifice, God should accept it!”
As scripture declares, “There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death.” (Proverbs 14:12 NIV) God is God and we are not. However, the Lord’s way to eternal life and salvation is clear and not difficult. We are simply invited to “believe and call.” “Whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Romans 10:13) The Philippian jailer asked Paul, “what must I do to be saved?” He said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved….” (Acts 16:31 NIV)
We have peace with God and acceptance in His sight when we simply do what He asks of us. He offers His gift of eternal life, we just have to believe and receive. God’s ways bring life, our ways bring death.
Prayer for today…. Lord, you call us to faith and humble obedience. That is the way to life and acceptance by You. Help us to always follow you knowing Your ways are the best ways. May we be submissive, obedient and humble.