Need some help here, please

[Buddy Lee]

Would like some help understanding something
Hello all, and God bless. I am having some difficulty with regard to a few items that I haver noticed in the bible--in the old testament--and I am wondering if there are a few people who may be able to help me out. BTW, those of you who listen to or subscribe to the Benny Hinn way of scripture--or 99% of those featured on TBN, may pass up the opportunity to respond. Thank you.

I came to Jesus Christ--or He came to me, about 6 years ago. In my Christian wal I have studied primarily the new testament. About a week ago, I decided to venture into the old testament to get a better understanding--and because I figured it was about time I started to read that portion of the bible--to understand it, and to utilize its teachings in my own life.

However, as I now enter the book Levitcus I am somewhat perplexed. BTW, this was a time of savagery and lots of blood guts and gore, no? Anyhow, before I get to the passage I am at in Leviticus, lets skip back a chapter to thebook of Exodus.

I ask you to consider the following statement that God Himself made to Moses regarding God's character. In Exdodus 34:6, God says, "the Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin".

Now, fast forward to Leviticus chapter 10 verse 1. Here Aaron's sons put forth a sacrifice offering that was unauthorized by the Lord. What happens next? This>"so fire came out from the presence of the Lord and consumed them, and they died before the Lord".

Does something seem amiss to only me when I read this? I do not mean to question God's authority to do whatever H wants to do whenever He wants top do it. However in my limited understanding of things, this seems to be a case of contradiction doesn't it?

I know that I have to be missing something here, and I'm almosr positive that as I continue to go forward into the old testament I will be confounded by other articles that will leave me scratching my head.

Can anyone offer any help here? Thank you.

 

[M.O.G.]

Hi Bud!

Lev 10:1-2 And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the LORD, which he commanded them not.
2 And there went out fire from the LORD, and devoured them, and they died before the LORD.


He told them not to do it, they fully spit in His face and said "we'll do what we want". If He let's them get away with it, what does it say to the rest of the people?

They were made examples of if you will.

It's not a contradiction, It's commpassion for the whole, rather then the 2 who willfully disobayed.

You will love the Old Testament! May I suggest a good Commentary, anything by J. Vernon McGee, at "through the Bible"
TTB.org I believe.


G.B.

 

[rkbo]

Good question Buddy. You see the OT is true but it doesn't always explain or show the whole story. If I tell you a true story about how 4 big guys straped a young child to a bed. Then one of the guys took a knife and cut her open and cut out some of her internal organs.......Well you might think that was a criminal act. If I told you they were doctors and she had appendicitis.......now you get it.

A few principles to remember is that the early Israelites were under a Theocracy. God sometimes dispenced justice through his people. Some of the Baal worshipers we so bad that entire countries were demon possed, even the animals..........your starting to see what I mean, huh?

God was very concerned with the messianic line. He made sure that Jesus came through the people he wanted. He chose Israel and preseved them. It was harsh how he did it sometimes, but remember sometime you don't get the whole picture.

My favorite book of the OT is Proverbs. It is so true, and works for us 3000yrs later.

 

[Dee]

Buddy, G.D. said it short and to the point. Aaron's sons were raised in the ways of God, they knew better, but as G.B. said, they ignored God's commands and delibeaterately did things their own way, so God punished them. Good advice about obtaining a Bible Commentary, it will explain so many thigs about the Bible for you. Sunday School is also a great place to learn about God's Word. Some adults feel Sunday School is for children, but when I was a new Christian, it was so very helpful, reading Scripture and then having it explained by the teacher. Blessings, Dee

 

[Dee]

rkbo, loved your illustration about the girl being strapped down and cut open with a knife. It certainly got your point across.
You are so right that the Old Testament is often difficult to understand, as are some portions of the New Testament. I love the O.T. to study and read because in the beginning God actually spoke to His people, and through His people. We are currently studying portions of Isaiah in Sunday School and it is a book I constantly learn from. Blessings, Dee