Ep. 44. Leviticus 10,16 | Day of Atonement

EPISODE 44

DAY OF ATONEMENT: LEVITICUS 10,16

In Exodus 40, the tabernacle was set up for the first time on the first day of the first month of the second year. Moses immediately began the seven-day consecration process for the priests while also instructing the people in the laws relating to sacrifices. We know from the book of Numbers that the priests administered the Passover offering on the fourteenth day of the first month. We also understand that Nadab and Abihu were already dead when that happened. You may remember I mentioned the book of Leviticus covers between eight and fourteen days. Why am I giving you all this detail? Simply put, Nadab and Abihu offer an unauthorized fire on the altar either during their days of consecration or immediately after it. Either way, these two brand-new priests failed at the task before them and were consumed by the fire of the LORD. What hubris for Nadab and Abihu to think so highly of themselves and so lowly of God. They disregarded the commands of God and approached him with callousness.

You noticed I'm sure, how angry Moses was when he discovered Aaron had not eaten the sin offering. It isn't talked about much in church circles, but the priest was required to eat the offering presented by the people for the people to be declared holy. I think there is a connection between this and what we see in John 6 when Jesus says, "Unless you eat my flesh and drink my blood, you have no part with me." But at this point, my thoughts are too random to be able to tie it all together for you.

As a result of this sin, God appointed a Day of Atonement. At this point, God said the priest could not come before him in the Holy Place "at any time." So, the tenth day of the seventh month was set apart as the day the high priest would come before God with an offering for the people.

The Day of Atonement is very significant throughout the Scripture, and we have the foolishness of Nadab and Abihu to thank for it. Also, we don't need to set apart a day now since Christ has entered once and for all time into the presence of God to bear remembrance of us before God.

ADDITIONAL READING: Exodus 40:1-2; Numbers 7; Leviticus 7:13-18; John 6