Thoughts for another day

May 2, 2008

Today's verse: Lev. 10:20. And when Moses heard that, he was content. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

There are certain men in the Bible, whose relationship with the Lord was such that God considered them as His own and in case these men did or said something, then God vigorously defended them. One such man was Moses. Prior to our verse for today, the incident was that Nadab and Abihu, Aaron’s sons, had committed a grievous offence by offering unauthorized fire before the Lord. They were instantly struck dead and Moses warned Aaron and his other sons not to mourn as they did when someone of their families died.

In verse 16, Moses refers to the goat of the sin offering, which they had burnt. The episode got Moses angry because although, it was decreed that they eat the offering in a sacred place as it was a sacred offering and it was to be eaten by Aaron and his sons so they could bear the guilt of the community and make atonement for them, they had not done it and had rather burned it. Aaron replies saying that the misfortune of the death of his two sons had fallen upon him and although forbidden to mourn, they could not bring about themselves to eat. It wasn’t in rebellion to what was decreed but reflected the sincere condition of his and his sons’ hearts at what had befallen them. This answer satisfied Moses and nothing further from God happened to them.

What we need to look at is that, Moses being satisfied with the answer Aaron gave ensured that God held His peace and did not punish Aaron further. What is to be noted is that Moses; a mere man was empowered by God to do His things. God gave Moses the power to become a ‘God’ to Pharaoh and to his brother Aaron. How wonderful it is to know that mere mortals are exalted to such high office by God. God indeed loves us so much that of those He chooses, He provides the means to be exalted and in this whatever the person does becomes acceptable to the Lord.