Justin Houtz

Leviticus 10, Acts 11

DateVersionReading Plan
April 10, 2025ESV (2016)OT/NT Plan 2025 – 2027

Leviticus 10

Observation

Aaron’s sons, Nadab and Abihu, offered unauthorized fire before the LORD and the LORD consumed them with fire (Lev. 10:1-2). Moses then conveyed what the LORD said to Aaron that He would be sanctified by those near Him and glorified before all the people (Lev. 10:3). It was a warning “that any complaint would be rebellion against God’s righteous dealings.” (BBC). Aaron held his peace which “reflected his discernment that mourning rites in the sacred sanctuary were inappropriate (v. 6).” (CSB Notes)

Moses called the sons of Aaron’s uncle Uzziel, Mishael and Elzaphan, to carry away the bodies of Nadab and Abihu (Lev. 10:4). The two men did so and Moses told Aaron and his two living sons “that they must not mourn but remain within the tabernacle while the the whole house of Israel mourned the flaring forth of God’s wrath.” (BBC). Moses spoke on behalf of the LORD to Aaron that he was to drink no strong drink when he went into the tent of meeting, lest he die. He was to distinguish between the holy and the common and teach the people all of the statutes that the LORD had spoken to them by Moses (Lev. 10:9-11).

Moses gave instruction to Aaron and his remaining sons, Eleazar and Ithamar, pertaining to the sin offering (Lev. 10:12-15). However, when Moses inquired of the sin offering, it had been burned up rather than being eaten by Eleazar and Ithamar (Lev. 10:16). Moses confronted them on their error, recapitulating the command they had been given regarding such offerings (Lev. 10:17-18). Aaron explained to Moses that “that they had carried out the sin and burnt offerings, as required, but, in view of the Lord’s severe chastisement on Nadab and Abihu, he wondered if his eating the sin offering would have been accepted by the Lord. Moses accepted the excuse.” (BBC – Lev. 10:19-20).

Application

The unauthorized fire offered by Nadab and Abihu provides a sharp reminder of the consequences that arise from improper worship. The two were in clear violation to the instruction given by Moses and their disobedience resulted in death. There is a right way and a wrong way to to approach the throne of grace. May it be for us that our praises and supplications be aligned to what God has given us by His Word, for all things to be done decently and in order.

Acts 11

Observation

The apostles and brothers throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God (Acts 11:1). When Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcision party criticized him for sitting and eating with uncircumcised men (Acts 11:2-3). Paul explained to them all that had happened; his vision of the descending sheet and animals, the men of Cornelius who had come, that the LORD told Peter to go with them without distinction and that the Holy Spirit fell on the men when he declared to them the message of how they and their household could be saved (Acts 11:5-11). When the Jewish believers heard this, they fell silent and glorified God, acknowledging that God had also granted repentance to the Gentiles (Acts 11:18).

Luke then recounts how all those scattered due to the persecution over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except Jews (Acts 11:19). However, some of the men of Cyprus and Cyrene spoke to the Hellenists also, preaching the Lord Jesus (Acts 11:20). The Lord was with them and a great number who believed turned to the Lord (Acts 11:21). When report of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, they sent Barnabas to Antioch (Acts 11:22). Barnabas was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and truth, who exhorted those in Antioch to remain faithful to the Lord when he saw the grace of God (Acts 11:23). Barnabas then went to Tarsus and brought Saul to Antioch (Acts 11:26). They spent a year in Antioch and taught many people. It was in Antioch where the disciples were first called Christians (Acts 11:26).

In these days, prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch (Acts 11:27). One of the prophets, a man named Ababus, stood up and foretold by the Spirit that there would be a great famine over the world. This indeed came to pass in the days of Claudius (Acts 11:28). The disciples then determined that relief was to be sent—every one to their ability—to the brothers living in Judea (Acts 11:29). This they did, sending elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul (Acts 11:30).

Application

The reaction among the Jewish believers to Paul’s description of what had happened in Joppa and Cornelius’ men is profound. Upon hearing the things Peter had spoken, they fell silent and glorified God, recognizing His hand in all of the events and turning entirely from their previously-held belief that there was to be division between Jew and Gentile. It is a beautiful picture of true repentance, of a complete about-face away from false thinking to the truth of the gospel. Christ lived, died and rose again that every soul of whom He has chosen may have eternal life in Him.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You that by Your Word and the guidance of Your Spirit we can live in obedience to You. Father, help me to seek to worship You rightly and that Your name would be exalted. Father, how abundant is Your power to bring life to the most stubborn of hearts, a work of radical transformation to become agents and messengers of Your glorious grace.

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