In the last few weeks, two weeks I guess, we have been considering themes around Offering, Priesthood and Worship. The reason why this is important at such a time as this is because many believers don’t operate with God on these bases adequately yet. Sometimes we, in the New Covenant may be tempted to think “Offering is an Old Testament thing, Priesthood is an Old Testament thing, Worship is an Old Testament thing” which of course they are not, and we tend to treat them as something common or irrelevant. But the essence of these piece is to open our perspectives to these things so that we can treat them as holy unto God. Let us start our observation from Leviticus 10:1-3. The Bibe says:
“Then Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, each took his censer and put fire in it, put incense on it, and offered profane fire before the Lord…” The word ‘profane’ simply means “to treat something sacred with abuse, irreverence or contempt.” It also means “to treat a holy place or object with great disrespect.” So, when we say people profane God, it simply means people bring such a great dishonor or disrespect to the name of God or treat the things of God with utter disrespect and dishonor for God. That is why most times, I don’t take some comedians who joke with the things of God or what happens in the church as serious. They don’t really know what they are doing. Such people God says he will not hold guiltless (Exodus 20:7 says: “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.”)
Let us read further: “which He had not commanded them [unauthorized, unacceptable (AMP)]. 2 So fire went out from the Lord and devoured them, and they died before the Lord.” So, the consequences of their actions and what they did was that fire came out from the presence of God and destroyed them.
But you may want to ask yourself: why did God destroy them? Is it because they offered strange fire? The answer is beyond that. The real reason God dealt with them in such manner is revealed to us in verse 3. It says: “And Moses said to Aaron, “This is what the Lord spoke, saying: ‘By those who come near me I must be regarded as holy; and before all the people I must be glorified.” So, Aaron held his peace.” I perceived in my spirit that it seems Aaron wanted to protest and query God as to the reason why his sons had to die in such manner trying to carry out their work. But the Lord spoke to Moses to quickly call him to order and the man held his peace immediately. But see what God said and I want us to examine it again: “‘By those who come near me I must be regarded as holy; and before all the people I must be glorified.”
THE SUBJECT OF GOD’S HOLINESS
While we were praying sometimes ago, brother Francis said something profound about God’s holiness that I have been pondering upon since that time. He said: “the greatest revelation of God is not that He made heavens and earth, nor every other thing that we see or that can be attributed to God. HE SAID THE GREATEST REVELATION OF GOD IS THAT HE IS HOLY” and that I quite agree with him. The greatest revelation of God to you is that He is Holy. Psalm 99:9 says: “Exalt the LORD our God, and worship at His Holy hill; for the LORD our God is holy.” Notice it didn’t say He has an appearance of holiness; No! it says: “For the Lord our God is Holy.” The reason many believers don’t see holiness as a necessity for walking with God is simply because they haven’t understood this attribute of God the way they should.
Isaiah 6:1-3 says:
“In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the temple. 2 Above it stood seraphim; each one had six wings: with two he covered his face, with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. 3 And one cried to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of His glory!” this then means that the number one attribute of God is that God is Holy. How do we know this? Because it is mentioned three times and that alone gives credence and importance to this attribute of God.
Revelation 4:8 says:
The four living creatures, each having six wings, were full of eyes around and within. And they do not rest day or night, saying: “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!”
What does it mean that God is HOLY? It means that God is distinct, separate and therefore cannot be compared with any other god in the world. No other god among men can be compared with our God because God does not share this attribute with lesser gods. It also means God is perfect and there is no imperfection with Him. It also means God is in the class of His own, He doesn’t share class with anyone or anybody. Exodus 15:11 says:
“Who is like You, O Lord, among the gods?
Who is like You, glorious in holiness,
Fearful in praises, doing wonders?
Isaiah 42:8 says: “I am the LORD, that is my name; and my glory I will not give to another, nor my praise to carved images.”
Lessons from LEVITICUS 10:1-3!
“Then Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, each took his censer and put fire in it, put incense on it, and offered profane fire before the Lord, which He had not commanded them. 2 So fire went out from the Lord and devoured them, and they died before the Lord. 3 And Moses said to Aaron, “This is what the Lord spoke, saying: ‘By those who come near me I must be regarded as holy; and before all the people I must be glorified.” SO, Aaron held his peace.”
#1. The call of God upon our lives unto priesthood is a holy calling and therefore, we must never treat it with profanity. Never you ‘commonise’ the call of God on your life, the purpose of God on your life or the assignment that God has given to you. 2 Timothy 1:8-9 says: “Therefore, do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God, 9 who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began…” Our calling into priesthood is a holy calling and therefore, we must not treat it with profanity.
#2. The Presence of God is not a place to behave inappropriately. Even though we have been saved by grace through faith, that does not mean we should disdain or treat as unholy the presence of God. It does not profit anyone. Let us see Acts 5:1-11. Now, this account is not an Old Testament account. This account is right in the New Covenant, Jesus had died and resurrected and the church had started growing in leaps and bounds, and this account took place. But before we read Acts 5:1-11, let us read Acts 4:32-37 which is like the background information to Acts 5. The Bible says:
“Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common. 33 And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all. 34 Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, 35 and laid them at the apostles’ feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need. 36 And Joses, who was also named Barnabas by the apostles (which is translated Son of Encouragement), a Levite of the country of Cyprus, 37 having land, sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.”
Acts 5:1-11
“But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession. 2 And he kept back part of the proceeds, his wife also being aware of it, and brought a certain part and laid it at the apostles’ feet. 3 But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? 4 While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.” 5 Then Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and breathed his last. So great fear came upon all those who heard these things. 6 And the young men arose and wrapped him up, carried him out, and buried him. 7 Now it was about three hours later when his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8 And Peter answered her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much?” She said, “Yes, for so much.” 9 Then Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.” 10 Then immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. And the young men came in and found her dead, and carrying her out, buried her by her husband. 11 So great fear came upon all the church and upon all who heard these things.”
#3. Don’t offer to God in His presence what He didn’t command you to offer. Such an offering would not be received by God. As a priest, don’t offer unto God strange fire. Don’t profane the name of God or the things of God, they are holy.
Amen!
Thanks for the gift of your time, I am Obayomi Abiola Benjamin!
Feel free to share your thoughts or testimony in the comment box below. I promise to respond to them as soon as possible!