MONDAY October 8, 2018

Offerings Made by Fire

“ ‘Did I not choose him out of all the tribes of Israel to be My priest, to offer upon My altar, to burn incense, and to wear an ephod before Me? And did I not give to the house of your father all the offerings of the children of Israel made by fire?’ ”
1 Samuel 2:28

Even though Eli came from the chosen, priestly lineage of Levi, going back generations to Aaron, Moses’ brother, God’s judgment was coming upon his household. Eli’s sons refused to listen to their father, and they did not know the Lord. God is a just God. In Isaiah 61:8, the prophet Isaiah reveals the Lord’s character to us: “For I, the Lord, love justice; I hate robbery for burnt offering; I will direct their work in truth, and will make with them an everlasting covenant.”

God directed Moses to establish the priesthood though his brother Aaron. He had two sons Nadab and Abihu. They offered profane fire before the Lord––an offering they were not commanded to do. What happened? In Leviticus 10:2, God judged them: So fire went out from the Lord and devoured them, and they died before the Lord.

Moses gave the reason to his brother Aaron why God devoured them: “By those who come near Me I must be regarded as holy; and before all the people I must be glorified.” Aaron, as a high priest, understood and held his peace. I believe there is a lack of the fear of the Lord among the people in churches today. Even though we are now under grace, we must never forget our God is a holy God, and our lives must glorify Him.

In the New Testament, the Apostle Peter confronted Ananias when he and his wife Sapphira lied about the true amount of their offerings given to the Lord. What happened to them both? Ananias, fell down and breathed his last. Then Sapphira, …fell down at his feet and breathed her last. Peter gave them an opportunity to tell the truth but there was no true repentance (Acts 5:1-11).

For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who
do not obey the gospel of God?

~1 Peter 4:17~

For more from Raul Ries, please visit Somebodylovesyouradio.org!