Leviticus 10:12
And Moses said to Aaron and his remaining sons, Eleazar and Ithamar, "Take the grain offering that remains from the offerings made by fire to the LORD and eat it without leaven beside the altar, because it is most holy.
Then Moses said to Aaron and his remaining sons, Eleazar and Ithamar
This phrase sets the context of the aftermath of a significant event—the death of Nadab and Abihu, Aaron's other sons, due to their offering of unauthorized fire before the Lord. The Hebrew root for "said" (אָמַר, 'amar) implies a directive or command, emphasizing Moses' role as a mediator of God's instructions. The mention of "remaining sons" underscores the gravity of the situation and the continuation of priestly duties despite personal loss. Historically, this highlights the importance of obedience and reverence in the priestly office, a theme that resonates throughout Leviticus.

Take the grain offering that remains from the offerings made by fire to the LORD
The "grain offering" (מִנְחָה, minchah) is a significant element of the Levitical sacrificial system, symbolizing dedication and thanksgiving to God. The phrase "that remains" indicates the portion of the offering not consumed by fire, reserved for the priests. This reflects God's provision for His servants, ensuring their sustenance through the offerings of the people. The "offerings made by fire" (אִשֶּׁה, ishsheh) denote sacrifices wholly or partially burned on the altar, signifying the complete devotion required in worship.

and eat it without leaven beside the altar
The command to "eat it without leaven" (חָמֵץ, chametz) is crucial, as leaven often symbolizes sin or corruption in biblical typology. Consuming the offering "beside the altar" signifies the sanctity and immediacy of the act, reinforcing the holiness required in the priestly service. This practice serves as a reminder of the purity and separation from sin expected of those who serve God, a principle that extends to all believers in their spiritual walk.

for it is most holy
The designation "most holy" (קֹדֶשׁ קָדָשִׁים, qodesh qodashim) elevates the grain offering to the highest level of sanctity. This classification demands a higher standard of treatment and reverence, reflecting the seriousness with which God views His commands and the offerings made to Him. In a broader theological context, this underscores the holiness of God and the call for His people to reflect that holiness in their lives and worship practices.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Moses
The leader of the Israelites, who communicates God's laws and instructions to the people. In this context, he is giving specific instructions to Aaron and his sons.

2. Aaron
The brother of Moses and the first high priest of Israel. He is responsible for carrying out the priestly duties as instructed by God through Moses.

3. Eleazar and Ithamar
The surviving sons of Aaron, who are also priests. They are given specific instructions by Moses following the death of their brothers, Nadab and Abihu.

4. The Tent of Meeting
The sacred place where God meets with Moses and the priests. It is the central place of worship and sacrifice for the Israelites during their journey in the wilderness.

5. The Grain Offering
A type of offering made to God, consisting of fine flour, oil, and frankincense. It is part of the sacrificial system established by God for the Israelites.
Teaching Points
Holiness of the Priesthood
The role of the priest is sacred, and their actions must reflect the holiness of God. This calls for a life of purity and dedication to God's commands.

Obedience to God's Instructions
The specific instructions given to Aaron and his sons highlight the importance of following God's commands precisely. This teaches us the value of obedience in our spiritual walk.

The Role of Spiritual Leaders
Just as Aaron and his sons were responsible for leading the people in worship, spiritual leaders today have a responsibility to guide their congregations in truth and holiness.

The Importance of Reverence
The events leading up to this verse, including the deaths of Nadab and Abihu, remind us of the need for reverence in our approach to God and His commands.

Sustenance from God
The grain offering, which the priests are to eat, symbolizes God's provision. It reminds us that God provides for our needs, both physically and spiritually.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the role of the priesthood in Leviticus 10:12 reflect the holiness required of spiritual leaders today?

2. In what ways can we ensure that we are obedient to God's instructions in our daily lives, as seen in the instructions given to Aaron and his sons?

3. How does the concept of holiness in the priesthood connect to the New Testament understanding of believers as a "royal priesthood"?

4. What lessons can we learn from the reverence required in the sacrificial system that apply to our worship practices today?

5. How does the provision of the grain offering to the priests illustrate God's provision for us, and how can we apply this understanding to our trust in God's provision?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Leviticus 6:14-18
Provides detailed instructions on the grain offering, emphasizing its holiness and the role of the priests in consuming it.

Numbers 18:8-10
Discusses the portions of offerings that are to be consumed by the priests, reinforcing the idea of holiness and the priestly duties.

Hebrews 7:26-28
Connects the priestly duties and sacrifices in the Old Testament to the ultimate high priest, Jesus Christ, who offers a perfect and final sacrifice.
That Which is Left to UsW. Clarkson Leviticus 10:12
Submission in BereavementR.M. Edgar Leviticus 10:3-7, 12-20
Ministers to be Examples of PurityR.A. Redford Leviticus 10:8-20
The Eating of the Holy ThingsJ.A. Macdonald Leviticus 10:12-15
The Spirit of ObedienceW. Clarkson Leviticus 10:12-20
People
Aaron, Abihu, Eleazar, Elzaphan, Israelites, Ithamar, Mishael, Moses, Nadab, Uzziel
Places
Teman
Topics
Aaron, Altar, Beside, Bread, Cereal, Eat, Eleazar, Elea'zar, Fire, Fire-offerings, Grain, Holy, Ithamar, Ith'amar, Leaven, Lord's, Meal, Meal-offering, Meat, Meat-offering, Oblation, Offering, Offerings, Prepared, Present, Remaining, Remains, Rest, Sons, Spake, Speaketh, Spoke, Surviving, Unleavened, Yeast
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Leviticus 10:12

     4554   yeast

Leviticus 10:12-13

     8270   holiness, set apart

Leviticus 10:12-15

     4476   meals

Library
Strange Fire
'And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the Lord, which He commanded them not. 2. And there went out fire from the Lord, and devoured them, and they died before the Lord. 3. Then Moses said unto Aaron, This is it that the Lord spake, saying, I will be sanctified in them that come nigh Me, and before all the people I will be glorified. And Aaron held his peace. 4. And Moses called Mishael
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

December the Thirteenth the Holy and the Profane
"Put difference between the holy and the unholy." --LEVITICUS x. 1-10. The peril of our day is that so many of these differences are growing faint. The holy merges into the unholy, and we can scarcely see the dividing line. Black merges into white through manifold shades of grey. Falsehood slopes into truth through cunning expediences and white lies. Lust merges into purity through conviviality and geniality and good-fellowship. So is one thing losing itself in another, and vivid moral distinctions
John Henry Jowett—My Daily Meditation for the Circling Year

Sixth Day. Holiness and Glory.
Who is like unto Thee, O Lord! among the gods? Who is like unto Thee, glorious in holiness, Fearful in praises, doing wonders? Thou in Thy mercy hast led Thy people which Thou hast redeemed: Thou hast guided them in Thy strength to the habitation of Thy holiness ... The holy place, O Lord, which Thy hands have established.' --Ex. xv. 11-17. In these words we have another step in advance in the revelation of Holiness. We have here for the first time Holiness predicated of God Himself. He
Andrew Murray—Holy in Christ

Brief Directions How to Read the Holy Scriptures once Every Year Over, with Ease, Profit, and Reverence.
But forasmuch, that as faith is the soul, so reading and meditating on the word of God, are the parent's of prayer, therefore, before thou prayest in the morning, first read a chapter in the word of God; then meditate awhile with thyself, how many excellent things thou canst remember out of it. As--First, what good counsels or exhortations to good works and to holy life. Secondly, what threatenings of judgments against such and such a sin; and what fearful examples of God's punishment or vengeance
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety

The Value of this Doctrine
"All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works" (2 Tim. 3:16, 17). "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works" (2 Tim. 3:16, 17). "Doctrine" means "teaching,"
Arthur W. Pink—The Sovereignty of God

The Third Commandment
Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain: For the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.' Exod 20: 7. This commandment has two parts: 1. A negative expressed, that we must not take God's name in vain; that is, cast any reflections and dishonour on his name. 2. An affirmative implied. That we should take care to reverence and honour his name. Of this latter I shall speak more fully, under the first petition in the Lord's Prayer, Hallowed be thy name.' I shall
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

The Right Understanding of the Law
Thou shalt have no other Gods before me.' Exod 20: 3. Before I come to the commandments, I shall answer questions, and lay down rules respecting the moral law. What is the difference between the moral laud and the gospel? (1) The law requires that we worship God as our Creator; the gospel, that we worship him in and through Christ. God in Christ is propitious; out of him we may see God's power, justice, and holiness: in him we see his mercy displayed. (2) The moral law requires obedience, but gives
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

No Sorrow Like Messiah's Sorrow
Is it nothing to you, all you who pass by? Behold, and see, if there be any sorrow like unto my sorrow! A lthough the Scriptures of the Old Testament, the law of Moses, the Psalms, and the Prophecies (Luke 24:44) , bear an harmonious testimony to MESSIAH ; it is not necessary to suppose that every single passage has an immediate and direct relation to Him. A method of exposition has frequently obtained [frequently been in vogue], of a fanciful and allegorical cast [contrivance], under the pretext
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 1

Man's Chief End
Q-I: WHAT IS THE CHIEF END OF MAN? A: Man's chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him for ever. Here are two ends of life specified. 1: The glorifying of God. 2: The enjoying of God. I. The glorifying of God, I Pet 4:4: That God in all things may be glorified.' The glory of God is a silver thread which must run through all our actions. I Cor 10:01. Whether therefore ye eat or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.' Everything works to some end in things natural and artificial;
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

The Second Commandment
Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am o jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of then that hate me; and shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me and keep my commandments.' Exod 20: 4-6. I. Thou shalt not
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

Leviticus
The emphasis which modern criticism has very properly laid on the prophetic books and the prophetic element generally in the Old Testament, has had the effect of somewhat diverting popular attention from the priestly contributions to the literature and religion of Israel. From this neglect Leviticus has suffered most. Yet for many reasons it is worthy of close attention; it is the deliberate expression of the priestly mind of Israel at its best, and it thus forms a welcome foil to the unattractive
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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