In the book of Leviticus we have a chance to learn what worship is all about. In chapter ten the two sons of Aaron brought profane fire with incense before the presence of the Lord. The result was death.
We can learn from this incident an important lesson that may change our life forever. “And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the LORD, which he commanded them not. And there went out fire from the LORD, and devoured them, and they died before the LORD. Then Moses said unto Aaron, This is it that the LORD spake, saying, I will be sanctified in them that come nigh me, and before all the people I will be glorified. And Aaron held his peace.”
In the Old Testament incense represents worship. Nadab and Abihu came into the Holy of holies at the wrong time and in the wrong way. No one can ever come before the presence of the Lord without their sins being forgiven. The sons of Aaron came in to the Holy of holies without the blood, overlooking the idea why they are there for. Seems like their religious duties were more important then the requirements of God. The result was - they were stricken dead. Afterwards the Lord spoke to Moses and said:
“I will show myself holy to those who come near me, and before all the people I will be glorified.” Just pay careful attention what God said:“I will show myself holy to those who come near me”...God did not allow that demonized idea to appear before Him without the blood. Let me say that even today the devil is deceiving people about the blood and the forgiveness of their sins. Yet, the example of Nadab and Abihu speaks clearly of what God thinks about the blood and the forgiveness of our sins.
The Holy of holies was the place were God’s presence rested in the Old Testament and only the High Priests, Kohen Gadol could enter in there. Let me now explain the second message of this verse:“...before all the people I will be glorified.” It was also that the voice, the power and the presence of Adonai was manifesting from the Holy of holies before the children of Israel.Therefore there was no other reason for the Priest to come into the Holy of holies but once a year to bring the blood for his sin, and the sin of the whole nation of Israel. That day wasYom Kippur, the Day of Atonement.
Through the New Covenant we have our High Priest Yeshua, Jesus the Messiah, the Anointed One, who came in to the Holy of holies in heaven with His own blood as a High Priest forever. And it’s through Jesus that we have access to God’s throne today so that we may serve and worship Him.
Now let me elaborate a little bit more on worship. The Old Testament, in many ways explains the important aspects of worship. Such as the anointing, the blood, sacrifice etc...
The word Jews, in Hebrew means Yehudim. The literal translation of this word is the praisers of God. We were called out of Egyptto worship God in the wilderness. Our primary call is to praise God among the nations! But to praise or to worship God with ourvoices is just the surface of the revelation of what worship is all about.
God is power. God is love, strength and all that we need in this life. The Bible says that in Him we live, we move and have our being. God is the sustainer ofour life. Just think of what King David said:”You will show me the path of life. In your presence is fullness of joy. In your right hand there are pleasures forevermore. A Prayer by David.” Psalm 16:11.
When God spoke to Moses and said:...before all the people I will be glorified., here is what He meant. We are His children and through Yeshua, Jesus the Messiah, we have access to the throne of God to worship Him. This is what happens when you are in the presence of God:
• your flesh yields to God
• you despise every sin
• your thoughts are on Jesus
• your heart and mind in tune with God
• you are surrounded by God
• He fills you up with His strength
• your faith is rising
• the anointing on you is increasing
• God is changing you in His presence
• there is fulness of joy
These are the benefits we receive in His presence. Let me show you a few examples in the Bible how people were radically changed and blessed in God’s presence:Jacob running away from his brother Isau was caught up in the presence of God in his dream.“Jacob awakened out of his sleep, and he said, “Surely Yahweh (God) is in this place, and I didn’t know it.”He was afraid, and said, “How dreadful is this place! This is none other than God’s house, and this is the gate of heaven.”
Another example was Moses. Being in the presence of the Lord for forty days and nights he came down from the mountain filled with God’s presence. Even his face was so shining that no one could look upon him. It happened, when Moses came down fromMount Sinaiwith the two tablets of the testimony in Moses’ hand, when he came down from the mountain, thatMoses didn’t know that the skin of his face shone by reason of his speaking with him.When Aaronand all the children of Israelsaw Moses,behold, the skin of his face shone; and they were afraid to come near him.Exodus 34:29.
In Matthew 17:1-4, we find another example. After six days, Jesus took with him Peter, James, and John his brother, and brought them up into a high mountain by themselves. He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his garments became as white as the light. Behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them talking with him. Peter answered, and said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you want, let’s make three tents here: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”
Those examples speak about the same awesome experience in the presence of God as well as your life being transformed in His presence and you’ll never be the same again. Coming back to Nadab and Abihu, two sons of Aaron, they had no idea what a privilege it was for them to appear before the Lord. I believe that beside our salvation through Jesus our Messiah and the gift of eternal life, for us to be allowed in the presence of the Almighty God is another great gift as well! God is a great God. He loads us daily with His benefits!Thank you Lord for such an abundant life! Thank you Lord for such a great gift! Hallelujah!
