“Offer Only What Is Authorized And The LORD Will Bless You!”

“Offer Only What Is Authorized And The LORD Will Bless You!”(Lev.9:22-15:5).
“Then Aaron lifted his hands toward the people and blessed them. And having sacrificed the sin offering, the burnt offering and the fellowsip offering, he stepped down…” Moses and Aaron blessed the people and the glory of the LORD appeared to all the people. Fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed the offering and the fat portions on the altar… Aaron’s sons Nadab and Abihu took their censers, put fire in them and added incense; and they offered unauthorized fire before the LORD, contrary to his command. So fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed them, and they died before the LORD…”
A Church house caught fire, and as people came and were struggling to put out the fire, a madman came and stood by laughing out his lungs. When someone asked why he was rejoicing at a calamity, the madman replied: “Each time I’m passing by I hear the people in this church shouting, ‘Holy Ghost fire! God of Elijah, send down fire!’ Now that the fire has come, they are lamenting.”
In the presence of the LORD there is blessing that leads to joy, when what is done is what has been “authorized.” In his presence also there is death if we do what is “unauthorized!”
After sacrificing the required sin offering Aaron lifted his hands towards the people and blessed them. The prescribed blessing from the LORD through Moses to Aaron and his sons and those of the aaronic priestly continuation is: “The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace”(Num.6:22-26).
The fire that came down and consumed the offering which Aaron offered was divine, it was not lighted by man. But Nadab and Abihu were over zealous when they offered unauthorized fire to the LORD. So God’s divine fire consumed them and they died.
The LORD is a consuming fire. He is no longer interested in sacrifices for sin offering. His Son made of himself a once for all perfect sacrifice. But when we are in his presence we should only do what he has authorized, which leads to the people’s joy and recognition of the awesomeness of the LORD. We are also reminded that any unauthorized offering or action in the presence of the LORD leads to death.
This is especially so to us ministers of the gospel. Sometimes we bring in strange innovations at the sanctuary of the LORD; we insists on some gesticulations and practices that may suit worldly standands, but become distractions to the worshippers. Let us try as much as possible to hold on to what is authorized as informed by Scripture so that the glory of the LORD can be revealed to his children.
Prayer of the week: LORD guide me in your presence to do only what is authorized and to put your name on your people so that you bless them. Amen!
Welcome back to a new working day and week! Have a blessed day and week! Peace be with you!
Rev Babila Fochang.