How does Leviticus 10:3 connect to the reverence shown in Isaiah 6:3? Setting the Scene in Leviticus 10:3 “Then Moses said to Aaron, ‘This is what the LORD has spoken: “I will demonstrate My holiness to those who are near Me, and I will reveal My glory before all the people.”’ And Aaron remained silent.” • Context: Nadab and Abihu have offered “unauthorized fire,” bringing judgment. • God’s immediate concern: His holiness must be upheld by those who approach Him. • Silence of Aaron: a wordless acknowledgment that God is absolutely right to demand reverence. Setting the Scene in Isaiah 6:3 “And they called out to one another: ‘Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of Hosts; all the earth is full of His glory.’” • Isaiah is ushered into the heavenly throne room. • Seraphim proclaim God’s holiness three times, underlining its perfection and completeness. • The proclamation links holiness (“Holy, holy, holy”) and glory (“the whole earth is full of His glory”). Shared Emphases on Holiness and Glory 1. God’s Holiness • Leviticus 10:3—“I will demonstrate My holiness to those who are near Me.” • Isaiah 6:3—“Holy, holy, holy.” • Both passages insist that anyone who draws near must recognize God’s utterly separate, sinless nature (cf. Exodus 15:11; 1 Peter 1:15-16). 2. God’s Glory • Leviticus 10:3—“I will reveal My glory before all the people.” • Isaiah 6:3—“All the earth is full of His glory.” • Whether on earth (Leviticus) or in heaven (Isaiah), God’s glory radiates wherever His holiness is honored. 3. Reverence as the Right Response • In Leviticus, irreverence results in instant judgment. • In Isaiah, perfect beings cry out in perpetual worship. • The same standard bridges both realms: holiness demands reverence (Hebrews 12:28-29). The Reverence Factor: What Both Passages Teach • Nearness to God is a privilege requiring purity. • Holiness is not abstract; it is active, consuming any casual approach (Leviticus 10) and inspiring unending worship (Isaiah 6). • God Himself links holiness and glory; to treat Him as holy is to magnify His glory before others. • Reverence safeguards the worshiper and exalts the Lord simultaneously (Psalm 111:9). Living It Out Today • Approach God through the cleansing provided by Christ, our sinless High Priest (Hebrews 4:14-16). • Cultivate awe in private and corporate worship—guard against casual attitudes (Ecclesiastes 5:1-2). • Let daily conduct reflect His holiness so that His glory is seen “before all the people” (Matthew 5:16). |
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