February 4, 2026 - Leviticus 10-12

A very dark episode is told, which included Nadab and Abihu, priests who “offered unauthorized fire before the LORD, which he had not commanded them” (10:1-2).  The Lord was not pleased, and “fire came out from before the LORD and consumed them, and they died before the LORD. Then Moses said to Aaron, ‘This is what the LORD has said: Among those who are near me I will be sanctified, and before all the people I will be glorified.’  And Aaron held his peace” (10:2-3).  A couple quick thoughts.  One, we can say many things about God, among them that he is the Lord, he is Creator, he is eternal, he is sovereign, he is holy and perfect in every way, and so much more!  He is not to be approached in just “any old sort of way.”  He’s not “the man upstairs.”  He’s not “the big guy.”  He is God, and he will be honored and worshiped rightly.  And then, there is Aaron.  We read that, after Moses spoke to him, “Aaron held his peace.”  Had Aaron learned from previous experience?  He had led out in the disastrous episode of the golden calf.  I guess he has learned his place before God and, when God speaks, he says nothing and only listens.  Job learned the same lesson.  Remember Job, how he questioned and accused God, and after being confronted by God, he said, “Behold, I am of small account; what shall I answer you?  I lay my hand on my mouth.  I have spoken once, and I will not answer; twice, but I will proceed no further” (Job 40:4-5).  Sometimes, it’s good just to be quiet.  Well, that’s my second thought.

When, my Saviour, shall I be

Perfectly conformed to thee?

Poor and vile in my own eyes,

Only in thy wisdom wise;

Only thee content to know,

Ignorant of all below;

Only guided by thy light,

Only mighty in thy might?

Fully in my life express

All the heights of holiness;

Sweetly let my spirit prove

All the depths of humble love.   --Charles Wesley (1742)