Understanding God's Holiness: Justice and Mercy Explored

 

Summary

In reflecting on the nature of God as depicted in both the Old and New Testaments, it's crucial to address the common misconception that there are two different Gods—one of wrath in the Old Testament and one of love in the New Testament. This misunderstanding often arises from stories in the Old Testament where God's actions seem severe, such as the accounts of Nadab and Abihu, and Uzzah. These narratives challenge our perception of God's character, but they also reveal profound truths about His holiness and justice.

The story of Nadab and Abihu, who offered unauthorized fire before the Lord and were consumed by fire, underscores the seriousness with which God regards His holiness. Similarly, Uzzah's attempt to steady the Ark of the Covenant, resulting in his immediate death, highlights the sanctity of God's presence and the danger of presumption. These stories are not about a capricious deity but about a God who is consistently holy and just.

Hans Küng, a Roman Catholic theologian, provides insight into these episodes by reminding us that every sin is a capital offense against a holy God. The Old Testament's list of capital crimes is not an indication of cruelty but a reflection of the gravity of sin. In reality, God's forbearance and mercy are evident throughout history, as He often withholds the justice we deserve to give us time to repent.

The danger lies in becoming accustomed to God's grace, mistaking it for something owed rather than a gift. We must remember that grace is voluntary and cannot be demanded. Justice may be required, but mercy is always a gift. Understanding the difference between justice and mercy is essential for a proper relationship with God. We should never presume upon His grace but remain in awe of His holiness and grateful for His mercy.

Key Takeaways:

- The stories of Nadab and Abihu, and Uzzah, illustrate the seriousness of God's holiness and the danger of presumption. These narratives remind us that God is not to be approached casually or with irreverence. His holiness demands our utmost respect and obedience. [03:01]

- Every sin is a capital offense against God, who is the King of the universe. Our acts of disobedience are akin to high treason, yet God often responds with mercy rather than the justice we deserve. This mercy is not a right but a gift that should lead us to repentance. [15:12]

- We must guard against becoming desensitized to God's grace. Initially, we are amazed by it, but over time, we may begin to expect and even demand it. This attitude distorts our understanding of grace, which is always voluntary and never owed. [23:17]

- The difference between justice and mercy is crucial to understand. Justice is getting what we deserve, while mercy is being spared from it. God's holiness means that any act of mercy is a profound gift, and we should never confuse the two. [18:09]

- God's actions in the Old Testament, such as the execution of Nadab, Abihu, and Uzzah, are not arbitrary but are rooted in His holiness and justice. These instances serve as reminders of the seriousness of sin and the incredible nature of His grace when He chooses to extend it. [25:07]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:28] - Introduction to God's Wrath
- [01:08] - Misconceptions of Old Testament God
- [02:13] - Story of Nadab and Abihu
- [03:01] - The Consequence of Strange Fire
- [04:19] - Aaron's Reaction and Moses' Response
- [06:07] - Story of Uzzah and the Ark
- [08:11] - The Sacredness of the Ark
- [09:35] - Uzzah's Presumption
- [10:55] - The Touch of Man vs. Dirt
- [12:19] - Capital Offenses in the Old Testament
- [13:36] - Ananias and Sapphira
- [15:12] - Sin as High Treason
- [18:09] - Justice vs. Mercy
- [23:17] - The Danger of Presuming on Grace
- [25:07] - Conclusion: The Holiness of God

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Leviticus 10:1-7
2. 2 Samuel 6:1-7

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Observation Questions:

1. What actions did Nadab and Abihu take that led to their immediate death, and how does the text describe God's response? ([02:13])

2. In the story of Uzzah, what specific event led to his death, and how did the people around him react? ([08:53])

3. How does the sermon describe the difference between the dirt and the touch of man in relation to the Ark of the Covenant? ([10:55])

4. What does Hans Küng suggest about the nature of sin and its consequences according to the sermon? ([14:28])

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the story of Nadab and Abihu illustrate the seriousness with which God regards His holiness? What does this tell us about approaching God with reverence? ([03:01])

2. In what ways does the story of Uzzah challenge our understanding of God's justice and mercy? How might this story affect our view of God's character? ([09:35])

3. According to the sermon, why is it dangerous to become desensitized to God's grace? How does this desensitization affect our relationship with God? ([23:17])

4. What is the significance of understanding the difference between justice and mercy in our relationship with God, as highlighted in the sermon? ([18:09])

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you may have approached God casually or with irreverence. How can you cultivate a deeper sense of reverence in your daily walk with God? ([03:01])

2. Consider the concept of presumption in your own life. Are there areas where you might be presuming upon God's grace? How can you address this attitude? ([23:17])

3. How do you react when you perceive God's actions as harsh or unjust? What steps can you take to align your understanding with the biblical portrayal of God's holiness and justice? ([09:35])

4. In what ways can you remind yourself of the gravity of sin and the gift of God's mercy in your daily life? How might this awareness change your actions or attitudes? ([14:28])

5. Think about a situation where you have received grace or mercy from someone. How did it impact you, and how can you extend similar grace to others in your life? ([15:59])

6. How can you ensure that you do not become desensitized to God's grace? What practices or habits can help maintain a sense of awe and gratitude for His mercy? ([23:17])

7. Identify a specific area in your life where you need to seek God's justice or mercy. What steps can you take this week to address this area in prayer and action? ([25:07])

Devotional

Day 1: The Holiness of God Demands Reverence
God's holiness is a central theme throughout the Bible, and it demands our utmost respect and obedience. The stories of Nadab and Abihu, and Uzzah, serve as stark reminders of the seriousness with which God regards His holiness. Nadab and Abihu offered unauthorized fire before the Lord and were consumed by fire, illustrating the danger of approaching God casually or with irreverence. Similarly, Uzzah's attempt to steady the Ark of the Covenant resulted in his immediate death, highlighting the sanctity of God's presence and the danger of presumption. These narratives are not about a capricious deity but about a God who is consistently holy and just. We must approach God with a deep sense of reverence, acknowledging His holiness and our need for obedience. [03:01]

Leviticus 10:1-3 (ESV): "Now Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, each took his censer and put fire in it and laid incense on it and offered unauthorized fire before the Lord, which he had not commanded them. And fire came out from before the Lord and consumed them, and they died before the Lord. Then Moses said to Aaron, 'This is what the Lord has said: Among those who are near me I will be sanctified, and before all the people I will be glorified.' And Aaron held his peace."

Reflection: In what ways can you cultivate a deeper sense of reverence for God's holiness in your daily life? Consider specific actions or attitudes you can adopt to honor His presence.


Day 2: Sin as High Treason Against God
Every sin is a capital offense against God, who is the King of the universe. Our acts of disobedience are akin to high treason, yet God often responds with mercy rather than the justice we deserve. The Old Testament's list of capital crimes is not an indication of cruelty but a reflection of the gravity of sin. Hans Küng, a Roman Catholic theologian, reminds us that every sin is a capital offense against a holy God. In reality, God's forbearance and mercy are evident throughout history, as He often withholds the justice we deserve to give us time to repent. This mercy is not a right but a gift that should lead us to repentance. [15:12]

Isaiah 1:18 (ESV): "Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool."

Reflection: Reflect on a specific sin in your life that you have not fully repented of. How can you approach God with a heart of true repentance, acknowledging the seriousness of your actions?


Day 3: Guarding Against Presumption on Grace
We must guard against becoming desensitized to God's grace. Initially, we are amazed by it, but over time, we may begin to expect and even demand it. This attitude distorts our understanding of grace, which is always voluntary and never owed. The danger lies in becoming accustomed to God's grace, mistaking it for something owed rather than a gift. We must remember that grace is voluntary and cannot be demanded. Justice may be required, but mercy is always a gift. Understanding the difference between justice and mercy is essential for a proper relationship with God. [23:17]

Hebrews 10:29 (ESV): "How much worse punishment, do you think, will be deserved by the one who has trampled underfoot the Son of God, and has profaned the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has outraged the Spirit of grace?"

Reflection: Consider a time when you may have taken God's grace for granted. How can you cultivate a heart of gratitude and humility in response to His unmerited favor?


Day 4: The Distinction Between Justice and Mercy
The difference between justice and mercy is crucial to understand. Justice is getting what we deserve, while mercy is being spared from it. God's holiness means that any act of mercy is a profound gift, and we should never confuse the two. God's actions in the Old Testament, such as the execution of Nadab, Abihu, and Uzzah, are not arbitrary but are rooted in His holiness and justice. These instances serve as reminders of the seriousness of sin and the incredible nature of His grace when He chooses to extend it. [18:09]

Micah 6:8 (ESV): "He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?"

Reflection: How can you better reflect God's justice and mercy in your interactions with others? Identify a specific relationship or situation where you can apply this understanding.


Day 5: The Incredible Nature of God's Grace
God's actions in the Old Testament, such as the execution of Nadab, Abihu, and Uzzah, are not arbitrary but are rooted in His holiness and justice. These instances serve as reminders of the seriousness of sin and the incredible nature of His grace when He chooses to extend it. The stories of Nadab and Abihu, and Uzzah, illustrate the seriousness of God's holiness and the danger of presumption. These narratives remind us that God is not to be approached casually or with irreverence. His holiness demands our utmost respect and obedience. [25:07]

Psalm 103:10-12 (ESV): "He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us."

Reflection: Reflect on a recent experience where you witnessed or received God's grace. How can you share this grace with others in a tangible way today?

Quotes


Several years ago, I was working on the staff of a church, and we received a new curriculum for junior high school Sunday school that the denomination had sent down to us, and I was asked by the session of the church to read through the curriculum and see whether we wanted to use it. And as I was reading the curriculum, it began to talk about some of the things we read in the Old Testament where God seems so fierce in the manifestation of His wrath, where He kills people instantly and things of that sort. [00:00:04]

The first one is found in the book of Leviticus in the tenth chapter, where I'll be reading verses 1 through 7, and this is the story of what happened to the sons of Aaron, the high priest. We read in verse 1 of chapter 10 of Leviticus, "Then Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, each took his censer and put fire in it, put incense on it, and offered profane fire before the Lord, which He had not commanded them. And so fire went out from the Lord and devoured them, and they died before the Lord. [00:02:07]

Here are the two sons of Aaron who have followed in their father's footsteps. They have become consecrated to the priesthood, and they are attending the altar, and they bring this strange fire, fire that was not part of the regular ritual of the altar, and they sort of playing around and experimenting with profane or secular, unconsecrated, unholy stuff. And they bring this stuff, and they put it on the altar, and as soon as they do, the fire from the altar gushes up and consumes them and burns them to death on the spot. [00:03:02]

Moses said to Aaron, 'This is what the Lord spoke, saying: By those who come near Me I will be regarded as holy; And before all of the people I will be glorified.'" And then we read after that, "And Aaron held his peace." It's like when he came in all upset and said, "What's God doing here?" Moses said, "Aaron, don't you remember? Don't you remember your own ordination? Don't you remember the elaborate process that we had to go through to be set aside for this sacred task of priesthood? [00:04:57]

The ark of the covenant was being brought towards Jerusalem for celebration. David wanted to bring it there. And so, Uzzah and his friends are responsible for transporting the ark of the covenant. And you remember, the ark of the covenant was the most sacred vessel in Israel. It was the throne of God, and normally the ark was kept inside the tabernacle in the Holy of Holies. And it was there on the top of the ark of the covenant, on the mercy seat, that the blood was sprinkled by the high priest on the Day of Atonement. [00:06:32]

The ark is starting to fall into the mud, he reaches out to steady the ark. And as soon as he touches it, what does the Bible say? "A voice comes from heaven saying, 'Thank you, Uzzah for saving my ark!'" No. That's not what happened. The second he touches it, God kills him on the spot. Now again, critics go back and read that story and they say, "Well, see that's the way primitive people interpreted events. What really happened was Uzzah, when he touched that sacred object, was so frightened he scared himself to death. [00:09:03]

Jonathan Edwards preached on this text many years ago, and he talked about the presumptuousness, the pride of Uzzah where Uzzah assumed that what would desecrate the ark of the covenant would be the dirt on the ground, forgetting that the dirt is in obedience to God. There's nothing profane or unholy or evil about dirt. Dirt does what dirt is supposed to do. When you put water on dirt, it makes mud because it obeys the natural laws that God has decreed for dirt and water when they mix. [00:10:02]

Hans Küng reminds us that in creation, in creation, every sin is a capital offence. God said at the beginning, "The soul that sins shall die." And if God were to treat the human race strictly according to His justice, every one of us would've been executed a long time ago. But Küng says that what happens is that God does not institute the death penalty for every sin that deserves it. We don't really believe we deserve to be killed for our sins, do we? [00:14:16]

And the Bible said that that patience that God gives to us is designed to give us time to repent, to turn from our rebellion to Him. But instead, what happens is the nicer God is to people, the harder our hearts become, the more calloused we become in our sinfulness. In fact, Jeremiah said this, He said to the people of Israel, "You have received the forehead of a harlot." What's he mean? He said, "You've lost your ability to blush!" [00:16:15]

What happens is we get accustomed to God's grace. At first, we're amazed by it. The second time, not quite so much surprised. By the third or the fourth time, we begin to expect it. Then we assume it, and then we demand it and we're angry if we don't get it. Because the greatest distortion in our thinking, dear friends, is that God owes us mercy, that God is somehow obligated to be gracious to us. [00:23:23]

Justice may be required, but never, ever mercy. And it's because God is holy that any time He withholds justice, He is giving grace. If He were not holy, then perhaps His grace would not really be grace. But that's the point of the Scriptures. It is what Moses was saying to Aaron is, "On this occasion, Aaron, God was not gracious to Nadab and Abihu. He was just." On this occasion, God was not merciful to Uzzah. He was just. [00:24:54]

And the one thing I warn you, please don't ever ask God for justice. You might get it, and it would be the worst thing that could possibly befall you. [00:26:01]

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Transcript
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