Day 42 · Part 3: Out of Egypt

Fire from the Lord

Lev 8–10 · 80 verses

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In the Story

Chapter 14: Fire from the LordAbout 10 minutes, or listen

In context

Leviticus 8 carries out what the Lord told Moses on the mountain (Exodus 29). In front of the whole community, Moses washes Aaron and his sons, dresses Aaron in the high priest’s clothes, pours the anointing oil on his head, and makes the offerings that set them apart as priests. They stay at the door of the Tent of Meeting for seven days (Leviticus 8:33–35). A psalm pictures that oil “on the head, that ran down on the beard, even Aaron’s beard” (Psalm 133:2).

On the eighth day Aaron offers for himself and for the people, lifts his hands and blesses them. The Lord’s glory appears, fire comes out from before the Lord and burns up the offering, and the people shout and fall on their faces (Leviticus 9:22–24).

The same story turns to grief. Aaron’s sons Nadab and Abihu offer “strange fire before Yahweh, which he had not commanded them,” and fire from the Lord kills them (Leviticus 10:1–2). Relatives carry them out of the camp. The Lord then tells Aaron that priests must drink no wine when they go into the Tent of Meeting, and must tell apart “the holy and the common” (Leviticus 10:9–10).

A word of hope

Having then a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let’s hold tightly to our confession. For we don’t have a high priest who can’t be touched with the feeling of our infirmities, but one who has been in all points tempted like we are, yet without sin. Let’s therefore draw near with boldness to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and may find grace for help in time of need.

Hebrews 4:14–16 · Aaron is made high priest today; Hebrews, which recalls Aaron’s calling (Hebrews 5:4), speaks of Jesus as a high priest who understands weakness.

For families

Aaron’s sons served beside him as priests. When Nadab and Abihu died, “Aaron held his peace” (Leviticus 10:3). Later that day, when Moses was angry with Aaron’s other sons, Eleazar and Ithamar, Aaron answered him, “such things as these have happened to me,” and Moses was satisfied (Leviticus 10:16–20).

Aaron said nothing when his sons died. Why do you think some people go quiet when something sad happens?

In the Bible

World English Bible, as published by eBible.org (public domain).

A hymn for today

All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name · words by Edward Perronet

Organ and orchestra: an introduction, then each of the 8 verses. Tap a verse’s number to start there.

All hail the pow'r of Jesus' name!Let angels prostrate fall;Bring forth the royal diadem,And crown Him Lord of all.
Let highborn seraphs tune the lyre,And, as they tune it, fallBefore His face who tunes their choir,And crown Him Lord of all.
Crown Him, ye morning stars of light,Who fixed this floating ball;Now hail the strength of Israel's might,And crown Him Lord of all.
Crown Him, ye martyrs of your God,Who from His altar call;Extol the Stem of Jesse's rod,And crown Him Lord of all.
Ye seed of Israel's chosen race,Ye ransomed from the fall,Hail Him who saves you by His grace,And crown Him Lord of all.
Hail Him, ye heirs of David's line,Whom David Lord did call,The God incarnate, Man divine,And crown Him Lord of all.
Sinners, whose love can ne'er forgetThe wormwood and the gall,Go spread your trophies at His feet,And crown Him Lord of all.
Let every tribe and every tongueThat bound creation's call,Now shout in universal songThe crownèd Lord of all.