Aaron’s sons, Nadab and Abihu were in a leadership role as priests but made the human error of choosing to do something their way instead of the way God had specified. I am reminded that the fire was to be kept burning at all times in a specific way.
“Meanwhile, the fire on the altar must be kept burning, it must never go out. Each morning the priest will add fresh wood to the fire and arrange the daily whole burnt offering on it. He must then burn the fat of the peace offerings on top of this daily whole burnt offering.” Leviticus 10:12.
When Nadab and Abihu chose to “keep the fire going” in a different means by putting coals of fire in their incense burners and sprinkling incense over it they disobeyed a direct command, thus resulting in immediate death by fire from God! I know I choose my own way more often than I should and it is not that the choice itself is an evil or harmful choice, but it is against what I know God has asked of me.
Psalm 11:6 stood out to me as a connecting thought to that of Leviticus. “He rains down blazing coals on the wicked, punishing them with burning sulfur and scorching winds.” Immediately following this verse it is shared that the LORD is righteous, and he loves justice. Those who do what is RIGHT will see his face. Once again, obedience results in God’s delight and favor.
Psalm 12–David crying out to the Lord for help as he is seeing more and more sin upon the earth. Lying, gossip, insincerity, and such pride within people that they believe they can say anything they want and no one can stop them. My tongue can do such harm within an instant if it is not tamed.
What a comfort though to know that the Lord’s reply to David’s request is one of assurance that He has seen and heard the wickedness and will rescue them. His promises are pure, just as silver refined in a furnace and purified SEVEN times over! David had to trust God that He would protect and preserve them amidst the evil in the land.
I find more and more that God is speaking to me about my speech and how and when to use it, in HIS timing and His words–not mine. These verses put some of my everyday activities into a realistic perspective of what God demands. (9-10) “Discuss the matters privately so as to not be accused of gossip and never regain a good reputation.” v.11 –“Advice in a timely manner is as lovely as GOLDEN apples in a silver basket.” I know I have thrown out advice when it was not properly timed and after reading this verse and soaking it in and looking back on those instances I can honestly say the apples in the basket I was handing out were rotten in comparison to what I could have given had I sought the Lord more for his advice and insight to give to a friend in need instead of being in a hurry to help, help, help someone in my own strength.
Amazing how at the beginning of this in Leviticus it spoke on holiness and staying clear of uncleanliness. I Thessalonians 4:1 it URGES us to live in a way that is pleasing to the Lord , along with remaining holy and keeping our bodies holy and clean!
“This should be your ambition: to live a quiet life, minding your own business and working with your hands, just as we commanded you before. As a result, people who are not Christians will respect the way you live, and you will not NEED to depend on others to meet your needs.” 1 Thess 4:11-12.
I pray my words will be used for encouragement, faithful witnessing and blessing to others. I want to be a FLAME THAT DOES NOT BURN OUT but lights a path no matter what the circumstance or situation placed in. I desire to BE ON FIRE FOR GOD until the moment He swoops down and takes me to my forever home! HIDE IT UNDER A BUSHEL? NO. I’M GONNA LET IT SHINE, LET IT SHINE, LET IT SHINE!
Erica (guest on 66 Books)
Sixty-six books in a year 
Thank for your thoughts on these Scriptures, Erica. The caution to speak timely words is fresh on my mind. I often rush in with advice when all that is really required of me is to listen and be present with a friend. I pray I get this right some day!
You are welcome, I too remind my friends of this, am reminded by friends and yet I still had a re reminder while reading this by God to just BE STILL at times and the proper advice that needs to be given and received will be! Our 4th and 5th grade girls in the service I work in did a lesson similar to this a while back about seeking proper advice from the right people and within the right timing! We are never too young or too old to learn and then keep learning, and then mess up and then learn again! 🙂 Thank you for your words, and your posts you blog on as well. This whole process is such a blessing. I will be praying for you on this matter that you “get it right” some day! Just beware that no one is righteous or perfect, not one…until we allll get to Heaven, then that’s what it’ll all be GOTTEN RIGHT! 😉