How Loud, The Silence Of The Scriptures
by Joel Hendon(756)
We all hear people defend certain aspects of their lives because the Bible "doesn't say not to". This may be valid under certain conditions but definitely not always. Do people realize what a voluminous writing it would be to name every minute thing which is included in what we are to do and aren't to do. The Bible is now so large that it intimidates many into laying it aside.
And actually, we have enough examples and information to be able to make clear cut decisions if we will only take heed. It is relatively simple and here is the explanation. If God tells us to do something, for one good instance, Jesus told His apostles to go ye into every nation and preach the gospel. That is a rather simple command. But he didn't tell them how to travel. Now that gives them (and us) the privilege of choosing how we get the information to them. In the days of the apostles, most of their travel was on foot, unless they had to cross some waterway and then they took a ship or boat. We now have automobiles, buses, planes, ships, etc. And there is no prohibition of using any of those. Also, we now have the internet where we are able to communicate round the world from our own homes. And still, most will not even do that much.
All of God's commands were not so generic however. He often gave things to be done, with specifics, and when this was so, He meant it to be carried out to the letter. Very strict. One of the most perfect examples of this is found in Leviticus chapter 10:1-3. 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. And there went out fire from the LORD, and devoured them, and they died before the LORD. Then Moses said unto Aaron, This is it that the LORD spake, saying, I will be sanctified in them that come nigh me, and before all the people I will be glorified. And Aaron held his peace.
Now what do you think all this was about? Why did God have this fire to destroy these two young priests? It does not tell us from where the men took the fire they used. But to get a slightly better understanding of what they were doing, let's look back to the book of Exodus where God was telling Moses how to build the tabernacle with it's equipment. Starting with chapter 30, verse 1-3 God says:
"And thou shalt make an altar to burn incense upon: of shittim wood shalt thou make it. A cubit shall be the length thereof, and a cubit the breadth thereof; foursquare shall it be: and two cubits shall be the height thereof: the horns thereof shall be of the same. And thou shalt overlay it with pure gold, the top thereof, and the sides thereof round about, and the horns thereof; and thou shalt make unto it a crown of gold round about."
There were further instructions as to its construction but let's go to verses 7-10:
"And Aaron shall burn thereon sweet incense every morning: when he trims the lamps, he shall burn incense upon it. And when Aaron lighteth the lamps at even, he shall burn incense upon it, a perpetual incense before the LORD throughout your generations. Ye shall offer no strange incense thereon, nor burnt sacrifice, nor meat offering; neither shall ye pour drink offering thereon. And Aaron shall make an atonement upon the horns of it once in a year with the blood of the sin offering of atonements: once in the year shall he make atonement upon it throughout your generations: it is most holy unto the LORD."
We don't have record of God having told these two men specifically from where the fire was to be taken. However, we do have recorded in three difference places where someone was told to take fire from the alter (not the alter for burning incense) or where they did so.
Here are the three references, the first being God speaking to Moses concerning Aaron.
And he shall take a censer full of burning coals of fire from off the altar before the LORD, and his hands full of sweet incense beaten small, and bring it within the vail: (Leviticus 16;12)
And Moses said unto Aaron, Take a censer, and put fire therein from off the altar, and put on incense, and go quickly unto the congregation, and make an atonement for them: for there is wrath gone out from the LORD; the plague is begun. (Numbers16:46)
And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast it into the earth: and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake. (Revelation 8:5)
Now the reference above to the building the alter for burning incense is not the regular alter which was used for offering animal sacrifices and was kept burning. So it is extremely likely that all had been told to take fire from the alter (the large one) for the igniting the fire to burn incense.
It was not that God had told them not use the "strange" fire for their censers, but rather that he had told them the fire from the alter. I'm sure that Nadab and Abihu felt that fire was fire regardless of where it came from. And so it is, but God has always expected his subject to obey what they were told to do. Please refer back to the scripture in the 3 rd paragraph from the top. I have underlined the reasoning God has that He is glorified through the strict obedience of His children.
Another example was Moses and the Israelites in the wilderness when the were in need of water and the people were murmuring against Moses and God. Please read carefully what God instructed Moses in this scripture:
Take the rod, and gather thou the assembly together, thou, and Aaron thy brother, and speak ye unto the rock before their eyes; and it shall give forth his water, and thou shalt bring forth to them water out of the rock: so thou shalt give the congregation and their beasts drink. (Numbers 20:8)
A very simple request and could have been easily carried out to the letter by Moses. But take a look at what Moses actually did:
And Moses took the rod from before the LORD, as he commanded him. And Moses and Aaron gathered the congregation together before the rock, and he said unto them, Hear now, ye rebels; must we fetch you water out of this rock? And Moses lifted up his hand, and with his rod he smote the rock twice: and the water came out abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their beasts also. (Numbers 20:9-11)
One can readily see the difference in Moses actual performance and that which God told him. However, the water flowed. Now let us look at what God said next:
And the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron, Because ye believed me not, to sanctify me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore ye shall not bring this congregation into the land which I have given them. (Numbers 20:12)
Notice in this case also God mentioned that he was not sanctified (set apart) in front of the children of Israel because of the failure to follow His specific instructions. We have other scriptures which show that our obedience glorifies God:
For the ministration of this service not only filleth up the measure of the wants of the saints, but aboundeth also through many thanksgivings unto God; seeing that through the proving [of you] by this ministration they glorify God for the obedience of your confession unto the gospel of Christ, and for the liberality of [your] contribution unto them and unto all; (2 Corinthians 9:12-13)
The things written in the Old Testament were written for our examples (1 Corinthians 10:11) and we can see that we cannot afford to change anything which is specific in it's given form. No man has the right to change any of God's word, simply because "He didn't say not to".
Webgazine Columnist.
Article submitted Saturday, May 09, 2009 & read 50 times.
Leave Your Comments:
» left by Jane Bullard (304 days 3 hours ago.)
Joel, This is very well-referenced and the exposition is very clear. The 2 Cor. 9 reference especially drew my attention even beyond your context. I thank God for His Word. God bless you.Respond to this comment
» left by Joel Hendon (304 days 2 hours ago.)
Thank you Jane for reading and the nice comment. I fear for a lot of people who just willfully say, 'oh that won't matter, God would never condemn anyone for that', etc. Far too many fail to study the Bible enough and that is another fear I have for people. Willfully remaining ignorant of His word will prove fatal, I believe.Respond to this comment
