Today I am sharing a devotion from the Navigators. I receive one each day from this great organization. Check this out and go to navigators.org for more of their resources!
Pride’s End
Proverbs 6:16-19
There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a man who stirs up dissension among brothers.
In Leviticus 8-10, we see that the consecration of the priests contained a strange ritual. God instructed Moses to kill a ram, take the blood, and put it on the ears, hands, and feet of Aaron and his sons. They were set apart for God through this anointing, and dedicated to His service in all they did.
Soon after this, Leviticus 10 records that Aaron’s sons are killed for offering strange fire before God. God had not authorized them to burn incense on the solemn day of inauguration. That was to be performed by the high priest alone; they were to assist him. We know from the New Testament that the priests were to burn incense only when it was their lot, and this was certainly not Nadab and Abihu’s.
As I’ve pondered these events I’ve wondered, Was there an element of pride in the lives of these two sons of Aaron? They had a tremendous honor bestowed upon them, but had it gone to their heads?
Can you think of anything good that cannot be ruined by pride? I can’t. May God grant us the grace to face our areas of personal pride, confess them, forsake them, and walk each day humbly with the Lord.
Prayer - Lord, help me to walk humbly with You. Amen.
To Ponder - God is especially angered and grieved when we, His children, exhibit prideful behavior.
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