Justin Houtz

Leviticus 10, Psalms 11–12, Proverbs 25, 1 Thessalonians 4

DateVersionReading Plan
@April 7, 2024ESV (2016)M’Cheyne Plan 2024

Leviticus 10

Leviticus 10:16–17 (ESV) 16 Now Moses diligently inquired about the goat of the sin offering, and behold, it was burned up! And he was angry with Eleazar and Ithamar, the surviving sons of Aaron, saying, 17 “Why have you not eaten the sin offering in the place of the sanctuary, since it is a thing most holy and has been given to you that you may bear the iniquity of the congregation, to make atonement for them before the LORD?

When Moses inquired of the guilt offering, he discovered that Eleazer and Ithamar had not followed the process as it was commanded. Moses found that they had burned the offering rather than eating it in a holy place. The Faithlife Study Bible explains well why Moses was particularly angry at this violation:

Moses is alarmed at this failure to follow proper protocol for the purification (sin) offering. He likely feared that Yahweh would strike down Eleazar and Ithamar for the error, just as He had struck Nadab and Abihu for their violation. Eleazar and Ithamar were the last two sons of Aaron. Their deaths would have put the future of the priesthood from Aaron’s line in jeopardy.

Psalms 11–12

Psalm 12:3–4 (ESV) 3 May the LORD cut off all flattering lips, the tongue that makes great boasts, 4 those who say, “With our tongue we will prevail, our lips are with us; who is master over us?”

The tie that David makes between flattery and boasting is fascinating. I tend to think of flattery most often as flowery speech intended to puff up another, but in this context it seems to point to self-flattery, as the the CSB Bible Notes elude: “The one who speaks boastfully flatters himself.” Rather than humbly ascribing everything to the Lord, the boastful flatter themselves in claiming ownership of their capabilities.

Proverbs 25

Proverbs 25:16, 27 (ESV) 16 If you have found honey, eat only enough for you, lest you have your fill of it and vomit it. …

27 It is not good to eat much honey, nor is it glorious to seek one’s own glory

The eating of honey is twice mentioned in this chapter. In v. 16, it is used to address gluttony and in v. 27 for humility. Despite the illustrative differences, the common theme is the admonition for moderation. We are to eat only what is needed for satiation and to seek the glory our Lord rather than the glory of self. Through modesty and Spirit-led restraint, we reduce our footprint so as to magnify our Lord.

1 Thessalonians 4

1 Thessalonians 4:7–8 (ESV) 7 For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness. 8 Therefore whoever disregards this, disregards not man but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you.

Paul urged the brothers to live a life pleasing to God, abstaining from the passions of the flesh and sexual immorality. Their calling from God was not for impurity but for holiness. To disregard this was to disregard the Holy Spirit given to them and God Himself. These words of Paul are meant for us as well, to convict our hearts of living in intentional purity that it may yield a right regard of our Lord. Let it be that we would seek not the fleeting pleasures of this world but instead “seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.” (Col. 3:1b)

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