3-Day Bible Reading Plan: God Is Not An Imaginary Friend
“We must acknowledge that in relation to God, we are the creatures and he is the creator. Our role is to respect him and follow his rules. God finds it extremely irreverent when his creatures attempt to redefine him or disregard the way he wants to be worshiped. We will see today from our passage in Leviticus 10 that God takes worship very seriously and he wants us to do the same as well. Worship is delightful to both God and us, but it is also dangerous when done incorrectly.” - Pastor Paul Crandell, 4/7/24
Day 1: The Tragedy (Leviticus 10:1-3)
Key Verse: Leviticus 10:2 - "And fire came out from the presence of the Lord and devoured them, and they died before the Lord."
Cross References:
Exodus 19:21-22 - God warns the Israelites about approaching Him incorrectly.
Numbers 3:4 - Highlighting the role of Nadab and Abihu as priests.
Reflection: Imagine the scene: joy after a successful offering (Leviticus 9) followed by sudden tragedy. Why do you think God reacted so harshly to the priests' actions? Were they not offering something to Him?
Day 2: Respecting Boundaries (Leviticus 10:8-11)
Key Verse: Leviticus 10:10 - "You are to distinguish between the holy and the common, and between the unclean and the clean."
Cross References:
Leviticus 6:1-7 - Specific instructions for burnt offerings.
Isaiah 57:15 - God's holiness and its connection to human flourishing.
Reflection: God emphasizes holiness and clear boundaries. Offering "unauthorized fire" (v.1) suggests the priests disregarded God's instructions. How might this disrespect God? In your own life, are there areas where you might be blurring boundaries in your relationship with God?
Day 3: Self-Reflection and Application
Recap: Briefly review Leviticus 10:1-11.
Reflection: Consider your approach to God. Do you seek His guidance on how to worship Him, or do you create a version of God that fits your preferences?
Modern-Day "Unauthorized Fire": How might we, today, create an "imaginary God" by:
Emphasizing certain aspects of God while ignoring others?
Using God for personal gain or manipulation?
Neglecting His commands and creating our own way of worshipping Him?
Action Step: Choose one way you can deepen your understanding of God's will for your worship and begin implementing that change.
Grow Deeper
Head: Read Acts 5:1-11. How is this passage similar to Leviticus 10? What was the reaction of the church to the deaths of Ananias and Sapphira? Was this reaction healthy?
Heart: Read Isaiah 57:14-21. How is God’s holiness connected to prosperity and punishment in this passage? What are the areas of your life that God needs to “heal” with his holy hands?
Hand: Read Psalm 32. When you reflect on the holiness of God, how do you see yourself falling short of God’s standard? What is God’s reaction to the one that confesses and does not cover up their iniquities? What emotions do you feel when you meditate on the forgiveness of God?
Habit: Read Luke 23:32-33. Ask yourself, “What would I do in this situation?” Read verse 34. How different is your response from that of Jesus? What does this reveal about your heart?