Verse of the Day 5/6

 

Leviticus 10:3  Then Moses said to Aaron, This is what the Lord meant when He said, I [and My will, not their own] will be acknowledged as hallowed by those who come near Me, and before all the people I will be honored. And Aaron said nothing.  Amplified Bible (AMP)

There are times, when reading the Bible, you will notice a certain word and try to find out what the "literal" meaning was in the original language.  Sometimes it will surprise and humble you.  Today was one of those situations.  In this passage Aaron's sons had offered "unauthorized fire" or "profane fire" in performing their duties and God struck them dead.

 

We normally think of the word profane in the context of profanity.  R. C. Sproul points out that profane comes from the latin word "profanus" which literally means "outside the temple".  Nadab and Abihu had brought unauthorized, profane, things from the outside to offer up in the temple.  These things had no place in the temple.  You might say that Nadab and Abihu got carried away in their desire to make worship something that they wanted it to be.  In verse 4 we see that they were removed from the temple and carried away, taken outside the temple for good.

 

Another sobering thing that can be taken from this is that description "outside the temple" as it can be applied to profanity.  We, as Christians, are the temple of the Holy Spirit, profanity should have no part in our speech and in our lives.  I am speaking to myself as much as anyone.  It should serve as a reminder to fear and revere the Lord and to guard our lips as we guard our hearts.

 

James 3:10  Out of the same mouth come forth blessing and cursing. These things, my brethren, ought not to be so.  Amplified Bible (AMP)

 

In Christ,
Mike

 

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Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace  NIV

Leviticus 10:2-4

Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

² Then fire came from the Lord and burned them to death before the Lord. ³ So Moses said to Aaron, "This is what the Lord meant when He said:

I will show My holiness^[a]
to those who are near Me,
and I will reveal My glory^[b]
before all the people."

But Aaron remained silent.

⁴ Moses summoned Mishael and Elzaphan, sons of Aaron's uncle Uzziel, and said to them, "Come here and carry your relatives away from the front of the sanctuary to a place outside the camp."