A Year in the Bible with Daily Grace

Episode: S5: Day 32: Leviticus 8–10
Hosts: Shelby (A), CJ (B)
Date: February 1, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode shifts from Leviticus' early ritual instructions to a narrative focus, covering the ordination of Aaron and his sons, the dramatic consequences of disobedience in sacred matters, and the nature of God’s holiness. Hosts Shelby and CJ break down Leviticus chapters 8 through 10, exploring both the high point of God's presence with His people and the sobering reality of God's judgment.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Narrative Transition in Leviticus

• Contextual Shift:
  • The first seven chapters detail sacrificial laws; chapters 8–10 begin narrative storytelling, reminiscent of Genesis and Exodus (00:26–00:55).
  • CJ: “Leviticus 8–10 are gonna feel more like narrative … it’s going to feel different than the ritual instruction that we just read about in Leviticus 1–7.” (00:26)
• Setting the Scene:
  • Moses has been acting as Israel’s priest. With the tabernacle and sacrifice system now established, he is preparing to ordain Aaron and his sons as the standing priesthood (00:55–01:09).

2. The High Point: God Dwells With His People

• Aaron’s Ordination:
  • Moses and then Aaron enter the tabernacle, using the previously commanded sacrifices (01:21–01:45).
  • CJ: “The fire of the Lord’s presence leaps out from the most holy place … and it consumes all the sacrifices on the altar, which is showing that God is pleased with what’s going on.” (01:33)
• Echo of Eden:
  • God’s presence with His people is likened to the closeness found in the Garden of Eden—a spiritual high point (01:46–02:05).
  • CJ: “God is now dwelling with man again. And things seem to be going really well. And maybe, as we’ve come to expect in the Bible, when things are going well, something is probably going to go bad soon.” (02:05)

3. The Fall: Nadab and Abihu’s Sin

• Strange Fire:
  • Aaron’s sons, Nadab and Abihu, offer “strange fire” to the Lord—interpreted as approaching God’s holy presence in a foolish or unauthorized way (02:22–02:35).
  • CJ: “They enter into God’s holy presence when they shouldn’t have ... as we know, God’s presence is not something to trifle with, and it requires order.” (02:29)
• Judgment:
  • God’s fire consumes Nadab and Abihu as an act of judgment, contrasting the earlier fire (a blessing) that consumed the offering (02:36–02:57).
  • Family members carry them out, emphasizing the seriousness of disrespecting God’s commands.

4. Defining the Coming Themes: Holy vs. Common, Clean vs. Unclean

• Moses’ Exhortation:
  • Leviticus 10:10 gives a key principle for the rest of the book: distinguishing between the holy and common, clean and unclean (02:58–03:32).
  • CJ: “You must distinguish between holy and common and the clean and the unclean. And this phrase … is going to sort of define the rest of Leviticus.” (03:18)

5. What We Learn About God’s Character

• God’s Holiness and Glory:
  • Even in difficult passages, we see both the blessings and dangers of God’s holiness (03:56–04:38).
  • CJ: “God says, ‘I will demonstrate my holiness to those who are near me, and I will reveal my glory before all the people.’ … This is a blessing and a threat.” (03:56)
• Relevance for Christians:
  • For those “covered by Christ’s blood,” God’s holiness is a blessing, but disregarding His order is dangerous.

6. Personal Reflection and Application

• Dealing with Apathy:
  • Shelby reflects on the temptation to grow apathetic toward sin, encouraged to self-examine and return to God’s word as their guide (04:38–05:04).
  • Shelby: “Maybe today’s a great day to sit down and examine where maybe there’s sin in my life, where I’ve become apathetic toward living according to God’s word because it can happen to all of us.” (05:04)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On God’s Presence:
  • “God is now dwelling with man again. And things seem to be going really well. And maybe, as we’ve come to expect in the Bible, when things are going well, something is probably going to go bad soon.” — CJ (02:05)
• On Taking God’s Holiness Seriously:
  • “God’s presence is not something to trifle with, and it requires order.” — CJ (02:29)
• Key Instruction:
  • “You must distinguish between holy and common and the clean and the unclean.” — CJ quoting Leviticus 10:10 (03:18)
• The Blessing and Warning in God’s Holiness:
  • “This is a blessing and a threat. … as Hebrews talks about, it is a scary thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” — CJ (04:16)
• Personal Application:
  • “Maybe today’s a great day to sit down and examine where maybe there’s sin in my life, where I’ve become apathetic toward living according to God’s word because it can happen to all of us.” — Shelby (05:04)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:26 — Narrative shift & background to priestly ordination
• 01:33 — God’s fire consumes the sacrifices (blessing and presence)
• 02:22 — Nadab and Abihu’s disobedience and consequence
• 03:18 — “Holy and common; clean and unclean” as a theme for Leviticus
• 03:56 — God’s holiness: both comforting and sobering
• 05:04 — Personal reflection on apathy towards sin

Summary

In Leviticus 8–10, the stage is set for a new era of worship, as Aaron and his sons become priests and the tabernacle begins functioning as God’s house among Israel. Yet, this monumental privilege comes with responsibilities and boundaries, starkly enforced when Nadab and Abihu disrespect God’s holiness. Through their story, the episode explores the tension between nearness and reverence, underscoring that God’s instructions are for our protection and that true worship honors His holiness. Shelby and CJ’s discussion invites listeners to contemplate areas of spiritual apathy and to respond to God’s holiness with awe, gratitude, and obedient hearts.