EXPLORE THE TEXT
Sin always has consequences.
1 The Lord spoke to Moses after the death of two of Aaron’s sons when they approached the presence of the Lord and died.
2 The Lord said to Moses,
“Tell your brother Aaron that he may not come whenever he wants into the holy place
behind the curtain in front of the mercy seat on the ark
or else he will die,
because I appear in the cloud above the mercy seat.”
To understand Leviticus 16, one must understand the concept of atonement.
At its essence, atonement is God’s act of reconciling sinful humans back to Himself.
Humans need atonement because our sin places us under God’s wrath.
The only way to escape the penalty (death) is a substitutionary sacrifice.
In the Old Testament, this was done through blood sacrifices of animals.
In the New Testament (and today), atonement is accomplished through the finished work of Christ on the cross and His resurrection from the dead.
Israel was still in the area around Mount Sinai.
verses 1-2 (PSG, p. 111)
Leviticus 16 as the close of one section of the book and the opening of another.
the overall emphasis remains the same: holiness.
His message is directed to Aaron and delivered through Moses.
In addition, it links past events with His new set of commands for the priests and the people.
sent a clear message that
showing disrespect by disregarding God’s covenant would have disastrous results.
The consequence of Nadab and Abihu’s flagrant transgression is emphasized
would have grabbed Israel’s attention
and begun the instructions about the Day of Atonement on a somber note.
God set certain standards for both character and practice.
As the high priest, Aaron had particular responsibilities,
but he did not have free reign to do whatever he wanted whenever he wanted.
Nadab and Abihu had overstepped their boundaries and had paid for it with their lives.
God warned Aaron against entering the holy place on his own terms.
The only day he would be allowed to enter was on the Day of Atonement.
This most holy room was filled with the smoke of incense
and set apart by a thick curtain.
Its lone furnishing was the ark of the covenant,
which included a pair of golden cherubim spreading their wings out over the mercy seat.
death would be the result of any violation of God’s holiness.
The holy place and the mercy seat were set apart because that was the spot where the Lord chose to appear in the cloud (Num. 7:89).
His reaction to the disrespect of Nadab and Abihu, along with his warnings to Aaron,
served as a reminder that He is a consuming fire who protects His holiness (Ex. 24:17; Heb. 12:29).
Briefly highlight the limits God put on Aaron and introduce the idea of the Day of Atonement.
The most important thing about the holy place was God’s presence.
Sin has consequences, as God’s warnings to Aaron prove.
But while sin can be devastating, God also provides a way for us to experience forgiveness and restoration.