Exodus Readings I

Moses and Aaron,Nadab and Abihu and the seventy elders of Israel went up and saw the God of Israel. Under His feet was something like a pavement made of lapis lazuli, as bright blue as the sky. Exodus 24:9-10

Consider the epicness of the moment. Few humans have seen God in such a physical way. Despite the special nature of this time with God all of the 74 men mentioned except Moses were executed by God. Nadab and Abihu particularly stand out. They are the sons of Aron, pastor kids of the highest degree. They've known all the answers to all the questions and never have been too humble to hide it. Because of their father (Aaron) and uncle (Moses) Nadab and Abihu are awarded a prestigious place in the emergence of Israel as a nation. The eldest sons of the high priests they hold positions of both spiritual and temporal authority. Ordained as priests just after Aaron himself, Nadab and Abihu have been witnesses to powerful displays of God's power and judgment. Rather than becoming godly pillars in the community as we might expect, Nadab and Abihu are executed by God. In Leviticus 10 these sons of Aaron have let their position go tot heir head and in childish brashness they bring before God "unauthorized fire". In simpler words they spat on God's instructions and profaned His alter, their priesthood and the Jewish nation by believing themselves to be above the law and interacting with God in immaturity and pride.  

I am often tempted by the desire for God to be physically present. Stories like these teach me how powerful experiences with God do not necessarily process out into lives of godliness and charity. Faith is more powerful than sight. The promises of God are true not because an Angel in heavenly splendor shows up to teach them to me, as cool as that would be. The promises of God are true because God said them and by faith we live and breath and move and have our being. It is faith in His forgiveness that keeps us from despair and faith in His goodness that gives us hope for the future. Now we see God through a glass darkly and until the grey curtain of this world is rolled away we can go forth in confidence, not relying on human experience but resting in the eternal truths that have never failed those who will trust in them. 

***as a side I do make a distinction between blind faith and reasonable faith*** Blind faith is giving my bank account information to an online millionaire so he can deposit his inheritance in my account. Reasonable faith is trusting that when my mom says she'll bring home milk that she actually will bring home milk. I can't prove either one but one scenario is much more reasonable. God does not require blind faith., More on that later though.