Levítico 10

Levítico 10

Stedman - Leviticus is the book of the priesthood. God is teaching us by means of these types, these pictures and shadows of the Old Testament, what our priesthood means for us today. You remember that in our last study we looked at the opening part of Chapter 10 and saw that this priesthood is no joke, that God takes it very seriously. He has given us careful instructions as to how to live and act as priests. He especially wants us to avoid the things that he says are dangerous. This is what is brought out so clearly in the story of Nadab and Abihu, the two older sons of Aaron, who carelessly assumed that as priests they could do whatever they wanted to do, that since they were priests they could interject their own ideas of how a priest ought to function. And when they did this, we are told, there flashed forth out of that cloud of Shekinah glory which was the symbol of the presence of God a flame of fire which consumed them in their tracks and destroyed them, and thus they died suddenly before God in the sanctuary. This stunned and sobered the people of Israel. It was God's way of impressing upon them the fact that the priesthood is extremely important. I wonder if we, here today, have any idea at all of how terribly important this priesthood is which God has committed to us as believers. This world is going through terrible struggle and is in a critical state, as we well know. I don't have to describe it to you. You know how confused and horribly broken it is. And the reason that we are going through such desperate conditions, and that society is literally falling apart at the seams, is the lack of a priesthood. The church has not been what it ought to be. Individual Christians have neglected this priesthood which is committed to them. As a result there has been no salt with savor in society and so it is corrupting at a fearful rate. (Ray C. Stedman's Expository Studies) Leon Hyatt - DRINKING OF WINE AND OTHER INTOXICATING BEVERAGES FORBIDDEN TO PRIESTS ON DUTY Leviticus 10:8-11 Introduction - Jehovah spoke this message directly to Aaron. He did not speak it to Moses with instructions that Moses tell it to Aaron and his sons, as he had in previous messages (Lev. 6:9,20,25). Probably Jehovah spoke directly to Aaron as he remained behind in The Holy [Place] while Moses and the rest of the people went out to bury Nadab and Abihu. It was a comfort to him to hear the voice of Jehovah while he and his sons remained behind alone. God had not turned His back on them or deserted them. However, the message was not one of comfort. It was a message of warning. It was a command to the priests not to drink wine or other intoxicating beverages while on duty. The question arises as the whether drinking may have been involved in the sin of Nadab and Abihu. If they had been drinking, it could explain their frivolous attitude and their unauthorized offering. However, the Scripture does not state that they had been drinking; and we should not be too quick to add that accusation to the sin the Scripture records. Perhaps Jehovah gave Aaron this warning simply because drinking of intoxicating beverages was one evil that could lead a priest to commit a sin similar to Nadab and Abihu’s. So, whether or not Nadab and Abihu had been under the influence of liquor, the warning in this message was appropriate for the occasion. Verse 8. Then Jehovah spoke to Aaron, saying, These words are the familiar words used to introduce a new message from Jehovah; however, they were addressed to Aaron instead of to Moses. Jehovah was able and willing to speak directly to Aaron or others when it was appropriate, even though ordinarily He gave His messages through Moses, because the people had requested it. (Ex. 20:18-20). (Leviticus 16 - Message 12 - Lev. 10:8-11) Leviticus 10:9 "Do not drink wine or strong drink, neither you nor your sons with you, when you come into the tent of meeting, so that you will not die--it is a perpetual statute throughout your generations-- Do not drink wine: Nu 6:3,20 Pr 31:4,5 Isa 28:7 Jer 35:5,6 Eze 44:21 Luke 1:15 Eph 5:18 1Ti 3:3,8 5:23 Titus 1:7 Perpetual: Lev 3:17 Leviticus 10 Resources Strong drink (07941) (shekar from shakar which means become tipsy) refers to an intoxicating drink, thought to be some type of beer. It is any drink made of fruit or grain which is potentially intoxicating, when drunk in excess. Shekar - 20x in OT - Lev 10:9; Nu 6:3; 28:7; Dt 14:26; 29:6; Jdg 13:4, 7, 14; 1Sa 1:15; Ps 69:12; Pr 20:1; 31:4, 6; Isa 5:11, 22; 24:9; 28:7; 29:9; 56:12; Mic 2:11. Translated in NAS as drink(2), drink of strong(1), drink or strong(1), drunkards*(1), liquor(1), strong(2), strong drink(18). So that - Learn to pause and ponder this term of purpose or result . Perpetual statute (NAB “a perpetual ordinance”; NRSV “a statute forever”; NLT “a permanent law.”) NET Note: it was a “perpetual statute” to not drink alcoholic beverages when ministering in the tabernacle, but it was also a “perpetual statue” to distinguish between holy and profane and unclean and clean (v. 10) as well as to teach the children of Israel all such statutes (Lev 10:11). Lesson: We are all priests and so like Aaronic priests, we all should be temperate. This charge is especially important for those who are leaders (1Ti 3:3, 8).