Common

So, I'm back after a several month hiatus from the blogosphere...again...determined to do this at least once each week.
Not so much for your benefit as the reader, but for me to get in the habit/discipline of journalling.


I was reading a few days ago in the Old Testament book of Leviticus.  I know, right?  Leviticus...
Seriously though, there are some tasty little morsels tucked in to the laws and rules and regulations and animal sacrifice carnage.
In chapter 10 of Leviticus, two of Aaron's sons, (Aaron is the brother of Moses, and is the "father" of the line of priests who serve in the temple of God),
Nadab and Abihu, go in to the holy place of the tent where the presence of God dwells and they offer "unauthorized" fire before the LORD.


I don't quite understand what made it unauthorized, so I need to do a little more study in to that, but none the less, it was unsanctioned and God sent fire from His presence and consumes these two dudes.  Burns them to a crisp.


After this rather grisly display of the Lord's holiness, as you continue to read in chapter 10, you see the Lord is speaking to Aaron, telling him;
"you must distinguish between the holy and the common, between the clean and unclean...and you must teach the Israelites all the decrees the Lord has given them through Moses."
I'm grateful that God has moved on from this, I've got to make an example out of these punks mentality, into grace.  I'm sure I would have been smoked a long time ago.


There are several directions my mind wants to go as I think about this passage of scripture...one being how we tastelessly obscure what is holy or to be revered with things that are irreverent or common place.
I'm not saying we need to be strictly Levitical and legalistic, but there is much to be said for the attitude with which we serve both as vocational ministers or as volunteers in a ministry in the local church.  Words like humility, excellence, and loyalty come to mind. 
I think the big idea is this:
As we consider Nadab and Abihu, we must be careful how we go about God's business.  We can't just go charging in and do whatever we like whenever we like...  Remember, we exist for Him and not vice versa.