Bible Study Notes
Revival Center Hesperia California
Leviticus 10:1–11 (Part I) — Inappropriate Worship
By JK Woodall Ministries
---
Opening Theme:
God is holy, and His presence requires reverence, obedience, and spiritual discernment. Leviticus 10 teaches us that worship must never be self-directed—it must always be God-commanded.
---
Text Review: Leviticus 10:1–11 (ESV)
> Verses 1–2:
“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.”
Key Focus:
The phrase "each took"—Hebrew: laqach (לָקַח)—implies a deliberate action. This mirrors earlier biblical accounts of rebellion:
Genesis 3:6 (ESV): “So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food… she took of its fruit and ate.”
Eve seized what was not hers to take—motivated by desire, not obedience.
2 Samuel 11:4 (ESV): “So David sent messengers and took her, and she came to him, and he lay with her.”
David took Bathsheba, driven by his will, not God's word.
Similarly, Nadab and Abihu took liberty in God’s sanctuary, assuming worship could be redefined by emotion, status, or personal preference.
---
> Verse 3:
“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.”
Key Point:
God's holiness is not flexible. Worship must sanctify (set apart) His name. When God is not honored properly in leadership or worship, His judgment is swift to correct.
Isaiah 42:8 (ESV): “I am the Lord; that is my name; my glory I give to no other, nor my praise to carved idols.”
---
> Verses 4–5:
Moses called Mishael and Elzaphan to remove the bodies of Nadab and Abihu from the camp. They carried them outside the camp in their tunics.
Application:
Even in judgment, there is order. God’s house must be kept holy. Their death became a public warning—one that preserved the sanctity of worship.
---
> Verses 6–7:
“Do not let the hair of your heads hang loose, and do not tear your clothes, lest you die... for the anointing oil of the Lord is upon you.”
Key Insight:
Mourning practices were prohibited for Aaron and his remaining sons. Why? Because their public role as priests demanded they honor God's righteous judgment—even in the pain of personal loss.
---
> Verses 8–9 (ESV):
“And the Lord spoke to Aaron, saying, ‘Drink no wine or strong drink, you or your sons with you, when you go into the tent of meeting, lest you die.’”
Contextual Insight:
This command suggests Nadab and Abihu may have been intoxicated when offering unauthorized fire. God warns against altered states in the place of worship.
Ephesians 5:18 (NIV): “Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.”
Worship must be clear, focused, and Spirit-led—not distorted by substance or self.
---
> Verses 10–11:
“You are to distinguish between the holy and the common, and between the unclean and the clean, and you are to teach the people of Israel all the statutes…”
Application:
Priests were not only to minister—they were to teach. Worship leaders must know the difference between holy and profane and instruct others accordingly.
2 Timothy 2:15 (NIV): “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved… who correctly handles the word of truth.”
---
True Worship: Spirit and Truth
> John 4:23–24 (NIV):
“Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and His worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”
Jesus reveals that worship is no longer bound to a temple or tradition—it is rooted in Spirit-led obedience and truth-driven expression.
---
We Were Created to Worship HIM
Isaiah 43:21 (ESV): “The people whom I formed for myself that they might declare my praise.”
Romans 12:1 (NIV): “Offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.”
Worship is not what we want to offer—it’s what God commands us to bring. We were not created to invent worship, but to reflect HIS holiness through it.
---
Reflection Questions:
1. Am I worshiping from God’s command or my own creativity?
2. Have I “taken” anything—position, praise, or presence—that rightfully belongs to God?
3. Do I approach God’s presence with reverence and order?
---
Closing Scripture:
> Hebrews 12:28–29 (ESV):
“Let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.”
---
Next Session (Part II Preview):
We will examine how Aaron responded to God’s judgment, the connection between leadership and worship, and how New Testament priests (believers) are called to uphold holiness in every aspect of spiritual life.
No comments:
Post a Comment