A Lesson in Reverence and Obedience

In the story of Uzzah, we read that the Ark of the Covenant was returned from the Philistines and it was eventually brought to the house of Abinadab, which was on a hill, and his eldest son, Eleazar, was set apart to care for the Ark (1 Sam 7.1). 

We learn later that Abinadab had two other sons named, Uzzah and Ahio (2 Sam 6.3). The Scriptures are silent about where Abinadab and Eleazar were, perhaps they had passed away, but it was up to his remaining two sons to bring the Ark to David. They drew the cart along with oxen, with Ahio leading the oxen (2 Sam 6.4). When they reached the threshing floor of Nachon, Uzzah reached out to steady the Ark because the oxen nearly upset it (the road was rough) and he touched the Ark, killing him instantly (2 Sam 6.7).

The lesson is clear: If they had followed and “kept” the Torah (the tavnit; pattern; blueprint), this would have never happened. But they may have possibly followed what the Philistines did and Uzzah died. David finally realized what they did wrong and corrected it, following what YHWH said to do, by doing certain things at certain places at certain times by certain people.

In 1 Sam 15.22 it says, “And Samuel said, ‘Has Yahweh as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as in obeying the voice of Yahweh? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice and to heed than the fat of rams.'” 

Sadly, this is the problem today with people who think that they can keep the biblical festivals and to ignore what YHWH has said about them. Israel still refuses to listen to YHWH and keeps certain festivals, like Passover, while ignoring the fact that there is no Temple, holy vessels, or functioning priesthood. But Israel hasn’t followed Moses for over two thousand years.

The Book of Deuteronomy will refer to the Temple as the place that YHWH will select to establish His name. When the Torah refers to the Temple as the place where YHWH’s Name will be established, it is a telling statement of the Temple’s purpose: the Temple is a house for YHWH’s Name and symbolizes a public declaration of YHWH’s sovereignty.

That is why Isaiah writes in Isa 33.20, “Look upon Zion (Jerusalem), the city of our appointed feasts.” 

The festivals can only be kept in Jerusalem and the Temple.

Shalom.

[Excerpts from White Feather Ministries]

Strange Fire 🔥

The phrase, “to guard and to incorporate the Torah (instructions of YHWH) into our lives" means to stay in line with the “tavnit," which is the blueprint or pattern that YHWH has laid down in the Torah by doing certain things, at certain times, at certain places, by certain people.

In Leviticus 10:1-5, Nadab and Abihu found out the hard way that they could not change the services from the blueprint YHWH had commanded. It was the eighth day of their consecration as priests and offered “strange fire” before YHWH. They tried to offer incense at an unauthorized time that was not part of the service YHWH gave, and Scripture does not specify whether two people could do it simultaneously either. Did they consult with Moses and Aaron?

It takes commitment and dedication to carefully abide by YHWH's full instructions. The ordinances of YHWH, like the services in the Mishkan (Tabernacle) and Temple and the Feasts, cannot be changed by any human authority, not even the sons of the High Priest.

Nadab and Abihu did what was right in their own eyes and they died. What should have been a joyous occasion became a day of grief. Aaron lost two of his sons in one day because they did not “keep and observe” what YHWH commanded them to do. So what makes people think they can “keep and observe” the Feasts outside of the Temple, a functioning priesthood, and Jerusalem today?

Deuteronomy 12:13-14 says they were to be careful not to bring their offerings to just any place they “see” but to where YHWH has put His name. In King Solomon’s prayer of dedication in 1 Kings 8:22-53, he said that place was the Temple - the covenantal center - and Jerusalem.  

Isa 33.20 says, “Look upon Zion (Jerusalem), the city of our appointed feasts; your eyes shall see Jerusalem an undisturbed habitation.”

Doing what is right in our own eyes will cost us even our very lives when we are not careful to do what YHWH has commanded. 

Deḇarim (Deuteronomy) 12:8-9 TS2009 

[8] Do not do as we are doing here today – each one doing whatever is right in his own eyes. [9] “Because you have not yet entered the rest and the inheritance which יהוה your Elohim is giving you.

Brothers and Sisters, when "YOU COME INTO THE LAND" which YHWH your Elohim will give you, according as He has promised, that you shall keep this service.

Shalom.

[Excerpts from White Feather Ministries]