“Guard Against The Dangers Of Unauthorised Offerings!”

“Guard Against The Dangers Of Unauthorised Offerings!”(Lev.9:22-10:5)
Dear LORD, as I step out, I know your goodness and mercy shall accompany me because you do not withhold any good thing from those whose walk is blameless(Ps.84:11)
Spiritual leadership under Moses seems to have been a family affair. Moses, the liberator and prophet, his sister Miriam a prophetess, Aaron, his sons and bloodline to serve as priests.
Even so, all may be called, but some may be rejected as was the case with two of Aaron’s sons, Nadab and Abihu.
Moses had just ordained Aaron and his sons to serve as priests(Lev. 8:1ff). Seven days after his ordination, Aaron began his priestly ministry by offering sacrifices for sin offering, first for himself, then for the rest of the people and other sacrifices. The animals for sacrifices were to be without defect.
It was after these sacrifices that “Aaron lifted his hands toward the people and blessed them.”
This priestly benediction has been continued by the Christian church. “The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD look kindly on you and give you peace.” This benediction with the repetition of Yahweh’s name was to help implant the name upon the Israelites so that they should know that Yahweh is their God who blesses them after he has forgiven their sins(Num.6:22-27).
The Lord Jesus Christ became a replacement for the sin offering because he was without defect – free of moral corruption. Thus after Christ and in the new covenant, a new benediction takes a trinitarian formula: “May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all”(II Cor.13:14).
Back to Nadab and Abihu; they lost their lives in the very first performance of their priestly duties. They “offered unauthorised fire before the LORD, contrary to his command.” They died instantly in the presence of the LORD. Moses reminded Aaron of what the LORD had spoken of: “Among those who approach me, I will show myself holy; in the sight of all the people, I will be honoured.” Aaron had nothing to say.
God’s holiness is revealed to his people when they appear before him with their sins having been atoned for.
In our generation that everything has been monetized, those who have been called to stand the gap on behalf of the people are making many unauthorised offerings, contrary to what the LORD has commanded.
The LORD now blesses us through Christ whose blood has atoned for our sins, but those who bring unauthorised offerings and the ministers who accept them are not helping in implanting the LORD’S name on the people when they raise their hands on the people in benediction.
Therefore, let us turn to the LORD in sincerity of purpose so that the death of Christ should not be in vain.
Prayer of the day and week: Holy Spirit, guide us so that we do not make unauthorised offerings to the LORD. Amen!
Welcome back to a new working day and week! Have a blessed working day and week! Peace be with you!
Rev Babila Fochang.
22/09/2025.