Leviticus 10:18
Since its blood was not brought inside the holy place, you should have eaten it in the sanctuary area, as I commanded."
Since its blood was not brought inside the holy place
The phrase "its blood was not brought inside the holy place" refers to the specific instructions given for certain offerings. In the Hebrew context, the word for "blood" is "dam," which is central to the sacrificial system, symbolizing life and atonement (Leviticus 17:11). The "holy place" is the sacred area within the tabernacle where God's presence dwelt. The blood of certain sacrifices, like the sin offering, was to be brought into the holy place to make atonement. This highlights the importance of following God's precise instructions for worship and the seriousness of the priestly duties.

you should have eaten it in the sanctuary area
The command "you should have eaten it in the sanctuary area" underscores the priestly privilege and responsibility. The Hebrew word for "sanctuary" is "miqdash," meaning a consecrated place. Eating the offering in the sanctuary signifies the priests' participation in the holiness of the sacrifice. It was a communal act of worship and obedience, reflecting the covenant relationship between God and His people. This practice also served to sustain the priests physically and spiritually, as they were set apart for service to God.

as I commanded
The phrase "as I commanded" emphasizes the authority and sovereignty of God in giving the law. The Hebrew root "tsavah" means to command or charge, indicating a divine directive that is not to be taken lightly. This reflects the broader biblical theme of obedience to God's word as a demonstration of faith and reverence. The priests' failure to adhere to God's command in this instance serves as a reminder of the need for careful observance of God's instructions, highlighting the holiness and order that God requires in worship.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Moses
The leader of the Israelites, who is addressing the situation regarding the sin offering.

2. Aaron
The high priest and brother of Moses, responsible for the priestly duties and rituals.

3. Eleazar and Ithamar
Sons of Aaron, who were involved in the priestly service and the specific incident in this passage.

4. The Sanctuary Area
The designated holy place where certain offerings were to be consumed by the priests.

5. The Sin Offering
A specific type of sacrifice in the Levitical system meant to atone for sin, with specific instructions on how it should be handled.
Teaching Points
Obedience to God's Commands
The passage underscores the importance of following God's instructions precisely. In our lives, we should strive to understand and obey God's Word, recognizing that His commands are for our good and His glory.

The Holiness of God
The requirement for the sin offering to be eaten in the sanctuary area highlights God's holiness and the need for reverence in worship. We should approach God with a sense of awe and respect, acknowledging His holiness in our worship and daily lives.

The Role of Priests
The priests had a significant responsibility in maintaining the sanctity of the sacrificial system. As believers, we are called to be a "royal priesthood," living lives that reflect God's holiness and serving others in love.

The Significance of Sacrifice
The sacrificial system points to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ. We should live in gratitude for His sacrifice, understanding that it was made once for all, and it calls us to live sacrificially for others.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the requirement for the sin offering to be eaten in the sanctuary area reflect the holiness of God, and how can we apply this understanding to our worship today?

2. In what ways does the obedience of the priests in Leviticus 10:18 serve as a model for our own obedience to God's commands?

3. How does the concept of sacrifice in Leviticus connect to the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, and what implications does this have for our daily lives?

4. What lessons can we learn from the role of the priests in maintaining the sanctity of the sacrificial system, and how can we apply these lessons as part of the "royal priesthood" mentioned in the New Testament?

5. How can we ensure that our worship and service to God are done with the reverence and respect that His holiness demands?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Leviticus 6:24-30
Provides detailed instructions on the handling of the sin offering, emphasizing the holiness of the process and the requirement for priests to eat the offering in a holy place.

Hebrews 9:22
Discusses the necessity of blood for atonement, connecting the Old Testament sacrificial system to the ultimate sacrifice of Christ.

1 Samuel 15:22
Highlights the importance of obedience over sacrifice, which is a central theme in the context of Leviticus 10:18.

Hebrews 10:1-10
Explains how the law and sacrifices were a shadow of the good things to come, fulfilled in Christ.
Submission in BereavementR.M. Edgar Leviticus 10:3-7, 12-20
Ministers to be Examples of PurityR.A. Redford Leviticus 10:8-20
The Spirit of ObedienceW. Clarkson Leviticus 10:12-20
A Contented LawJ. Parker, D. D.Leviticus 10:16-20
Consideration for Neglected DutyBp. Babington.Leviticus 10:16-20
Moses and Aaron an AllegoryJ.A. Macdonald Leviticus 10:16-20
The Afflictions Which Befall the Servants of GodW. Jones.Leviticus 10:16-20
The Vicissitudes of LifeBp. Babington.Leviticus 10:16-20
People
Aaron, Abihu, Eleazar, Elzaphan, Israelites, Ithamar, Mishael, Moses, Nadab, Uzziel
Places
Teman
Topics
Area, Behold, Blood, Certainly, Commanded, Eat, Eaten, Eating, Goat, Holy, Indeed, Inner, Inside, Orders, Ought, Sanctuary, Within
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Leviticus 10:16-18

     8270   holiness, set apart

Leviticus 10:16-20

     7444   sin offering

Leviticus 10:17-18

     6648   expiation

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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