Don't play with fire

 Welcome to the Daily Bible Chapter. My name is James Leroy Wilson and I invite you to join me as we discover new insights and new perspectives from a very old book.

I'm reading Young's Literal Translation (YLT) and the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV).

Leviticus 8 and 9

I don't have anything to say about Leviticus Chapter 8.

Verse 4 of Chapter 9, Moses said, "For today the Lord will appear to you." 

At the end of the day:

23 Moses and Aaron entered the tent of meeting, and then came out and blessed the people; and the glory of the Lord appeared to all the people. 24 Fire came out from the Lord and consumed the burnt offering and the fat on the altar; and when all the people saw it, they shouted and fell on their faces.

Moses certainly was credible. He didn't have followers for no reason.

Leviticus 10

Two of Aaron's sons "offered unholy fire before the Lord, such as he had not commanded them. And fire came out from the presence of the Lord and consumed them, and they died before the Lord."

I'm not sure if this means the LORD punished them, or if there was an accident or explosion because they were innocently reckless. It sure sounds like the latter.

Apparently, there was confusion even among the priests about what ought and ought not to be done in the rituals. Moses becomes angry with Aaron's two surviving sons, but Aaron pleads for understanding considering the tragedy they all suffered.

Moses seemed obsessed that  everything be "just right" and "just so." If there's symbolism here, the inner sanctuary would be your own innermost place. There, you don't play with "unholy fire" or worldly passions, and you certainly shouldn't go there drunk or be otherwise distracted.

If there is an "as within, so without" metaphor, it's that the worldly habits and concerns shouldn't enter the holiest places that are inside you.

James Leroy Wilson writes Daily Miracles, The Daily Bible Chapter, JL Cells, and The MVP Chase. Thanks for your subscriptions and support!

(Photo credit: TyshkunVictor)