Tuesday – Pentateuch

Reading – Leviticus 9-10

Highlight Verse:

“Aaron’s sons Nadab and Abihu put coals of fire in their incense burners and sprinkled incense over them. In this way, they disobeyed the Lord by burning before him the wrong kind of fire, different than he had commanded.”
‭‭Leviticus‬ ‭10‬:‭1‬ ‭NLT‬‬

What was your reaction when you first read this story?

If you’re like me, you may have found it a bit harsh. Okay, maybe very harsh.

I mean, what was so bad about adding a little variety to the rituals?

Pride.

You see, Nadab and Abihu wanted to show they knew how to do religious rituals better than Moses.

It’s possible that they didn’t really believe in God and thought these religious rights were just a show. And what a show they would put on.

God’s show was more impressive.

I am glad that we live under a new covenant of grace and mercy because my pride can show up from time to time.

There’s something to be said for community pride and patriotic pride.

But when my pride puts me before God, that’s misplaced pride.

That kind of pride truly goes before a fall.

Just ask Nabad and Abihu.

What do you think Nadab and Abihu’s motivations were for doing things their own way?
Like me, do you struggle with too much pride?
Where do you find a balance between too much pride and too little self esteem? (We could have a whole other conversation about that).