Have Compassion

	Today's Reading: Lev. 10-12; Acts 16
	Presumptuous Sin- Leviticus 10:1
	Leviticus 10:1–2 (ESV)10 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. 2 And fire came out from before the Lord and consumed them, and they died before the Lord. Personalize it method (Rick Warren's 40 Days in the Word): Lord please speak to me in your Word today and let me hear your voice.  In Jesus name I pray, amen. Jeff, there is an important message here where I have killed two priests at the outset of the establishment of the priesthood… From the Teacher's Bible Commentary- Their act indicated an inner lack of respect for the awesome holiness of God. They simply ignored his holiness. Their action may be compared with that of Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1–12). Paschall, F. H., & Hobbs, H. H. (1972). The teacher's Bible commentary: A concise, thorough interpretation of the entire Bible designed especially for Sunday School teachers (84). Nashville: Broadman and Holman Publishers. From the Mathew Henry Commentary- Therefore Moses and Aaron only went into the tabernacle, v. 23. But Nadab and Abihu were so proud of the honour they were newly advanced to, and so ambitious of doing the highest and most honourable part of their work immediately, that though the service of this day was extraordinary, and done by particular direction from Moses, yet without receiving orders, or so much as asking leave from him, they took their censers, and they would enter into the tabernacle, at the door of which they thought they had attended long enough, and would burn incense... No doubt it was done presumptuously; for, if it had been done through ignorance, they would have been allowed the benefit of the law lately made, even for the priests, that they should bring a sin-offering, ch. 4:2, 3. But the soul that doth aught presumptuously, and in contempt of God’s majesty, authority, and justice, that soul shall be cut of, Num. 15:30. Henry, M. (1996). Matthew Henry's commentary on the whole Bible : Complete and unabridged in one volume (Le 10:1–2). Peabody: Hendrickson. Among the many lessons to draw form this tragic failure of Aaron's sons, see that you must not harbor presumptuous sin against me Jeff. See in the Psalm that this is clarified to be not sin committed in ignorance but done so knowingly. Sin that would have dominion over you... Psalm 19:12–13 (ESV) 12  Who can discern his errors? Declare me innocent from hidden faults.  13  Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me!   Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of great transgression. As Achan hid sin in his tent and was then burned and stoned by Israel…so you must root out all hidden, presumptuous, enslaving sin from your life. Come to my Son as He will remove this for you if you would simply surrender... Joshua 7:25 (ESV)25 And Joshua said, “Why did you bring trouble on us? The Lord brings trouble on you today.” And all Israel stoned him with stones. They burned them with fire and stoned them with stones. From the Wiersbe Commentary- This chapter is a stern warning against worship and service that go beyond the boundaries set by the Word of God. It’s also a warning against carnal enthusiasm that imitates the work of the Spirit. Counterfeit worship grieves the Spirit of God who wants to lead us in worship experiences that are based on Scripture and that glorify the Lord. Our worship must show forth the praises of God (1 Peter 2:9) and be acceptable to God (1 Peter 2:5). Worship that exalts men and women and fails to glorify God is not acceptable to Him. “Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Cor. 10:31, nkjv). Wiersbe, W. W. (1993). Wiersbe's expository outlines on the Old Testament (Le 10). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
	Be Holy- Leviticus 11:44
	Jeff, understand that I have declared all animals clean now but this entire ceremonial system of clean and unclean animals and my direction to my people to remain clean illustrates my desire that you now maintain a holy tabernacle of your heart. It is sin that defiles you, not what you eat or touch. Recall that it is what comes out of the mouth that defiles, not what goes in.  See the real message... Leviticus 11:44–45 (ESV)44 For I am the Lord your God. Consecrate yourselves therefore, and be holy, for I am holy. You shall not defile yourselves with any swarming thing that crawls on the ground. 45 For I am the Lord who brought you up out of the land of Egypt to be your God. You shall therefore be holy, for I am holy.”  1 Thessalonians 4:7 (ESV)7 For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness. And know that this obedience should not be simply to follow protocol but for the greater purpose of holiness… From the Teacher's Bible Commentary- Finally, the motive for this intense preoccupation with “clean” and “unclean” was given. We must recognize that the underlying thought was not the fear of suffering or punishment but the honoring of God who had set them apart in history (vv. 44–45). Paschall, F. H., & Hobbs, H. H. (1972). The teacher's Bible commentary: A concise, thorough interpretation of the entire Bible designed especially for Sunday School teachers (85). Nashville: Broadman and Holman Publishers.
	Committed to Service- Acts 16:3
	Acts 16:3 (ESV)3 Paul wanted Timothy to accompany him, and he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those places, for they all knew that his father was a Greek. Paul and Timothy were committed to their mission and were prepared to do whatever it would take to serve the the gospel. From the Bible Knowledge Commentary- The Jews to whom Paul would be preaching the gospel would be offended if a man with a Jewish mother was uncircumcised. So Timothy was circumcised. Apparently he had been uncircumcised because of his father’s influence. This appears to contradict Paul’s thinking in Galatians 2:3-5 where he refused to let Titus be circumcised. The situations, however, were different. In Galatians 2 the issue was the method of justification; here it was a question of not giving offense (cf. 1 Cor. 9:19-23). The Jerusalem Council, of course, had determined circumcision was not necessary for salvation (Acts 15:10-11, 19). Walvoord, J. F., Zuck, R. B., & Dallas Theological Seminary. (1983-). The Bible knowledge commentary : An exposition of the scriptures (Ac 16:1–3). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books. From Wiersbe's Commentary- Timothy’s circumcision had nothing to do with salvation (Gal. 2:1–4). This was not an act of disobedience toward the council (Acts 15:1ff). Rather, it was done to remove a stumbling block from the Jews to whom Paul and Timothy would be ministering (1 Cor. 9:20). Wiersbe, W. W. (1997). Wiersbe's expository outlines on the New Testament (319–320). Wheaton, Ill.: Victor Books.
	Leading of the Holy Spirit- Acts 16:6
	See how I speak to  my ministers by my Holy Spirit and they listen to my voice… Acts 16:6 (ESV)6 And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia.  Acts 16:10 (ESV)10 And when Paul had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them. So be sure to listen and do…this could be important for how I will be using you. Also Jeff, don't miss this- Do not presume that you are to "do it all". Paul and Silas skipped what could have been a fertile harvest but by my lead they understood that I had a different plan and that there would be good cause.
	Eyes opened- Acts 16:14
	See how I opened Lydia's eyes and know that it is I who will reveal the truth to some one's heart. You are to faithfully deliver the message but it is I who will bring hearing... Acts 16:14 (ESV)14 One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul.  Luke 24:45 (ESV)45 Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures,
	Let your light shine- Acts 16:25
	After casting a demon out from an afflicted woman, Paul and Silas are beaten and thrown in jail.  That night they pray and sign praises to me and this I turn to be the salvation of many. Jeff, see that Paul and Silas were praying and signing my praises without fear or shame in full knowledge that the others in the prison heard them plainly. They did not know that this would serve to help with my plan of salvation for the jailer and the other prisoners… Acts 16:25 (ESV)25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them,  Luke 11:33 (ESV)33 “No one after lighting a lamp puts it in a cellar or under a basket, but on a stand, so that those who enter may see the light.
	Jailer is saved- Acts 16:30
	Acts 16:25 (ESV)25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, From the Matthew Henry Commentary- Notice is here taken of the circumstance that the prisoners heard them. If the prisoners did not hear them pray, yet they heard them sing praises. [1.] It intimates how hearty they were in singing praises to God; they sang so loud that, though they were in the dungeon, they were heard all the prison over; nay, so loud that they woke the prisoners: for we may suppose, being at midnight, they were all asleep. We should sing psalms with all our heart. The saints are called upon to sing aloud upon their beds, Ps. 149:5. But gospel grace carries the matter further, and gives us an example of those that sang aloud in the prison, in the stocks. [2.] Though they knew the prisoners would hear them, yet they sang aloud, as those that were not ashamed of their Master, nor of his service. Shall those that would sing psalms in their families plead, in excuse for their omission of the duty, that they are afraid their neighbours should hear them, when those that sing profane songs roar them our, and care not who hears them? [3.] The prisoners were made to hear the prison-songs of Paul and Silas, that they might be prepared for the miraculous favour shown to them all for the sake of Paul and Silas, when the prison-doors were thrown open. By this extraordinary comfort with which they were filled it was published that he whom they preached was the consolation of Israel. Let the prisoners that mean to oppose him hear and tremble before him; let those that are faithful to him hear and triumph, and take of the comfort that is spoken to the prisoners of hope, Zec. 9:12. Henry, M. (1996). Matthew Henry's commentary on the whole Bible : Complete and unabridged in one volume (Ac 16:25–34). Peabody: Hendrickson. So then see that I brought an earthquake and broke open the prison doors… Acts 16:27–30 (ESV)27 When the jailer woke and saw that the prison doors were open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. 28 But Paul cried with a loud voice, “Do not harm yourself, for we are all here.” 29 And the jailer called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas. 30 Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” Jeff, Paul and Silas had clear opportunity by my own hand to run for freedom but they chose the greater…Do you see Jeff that this jailer was saved through the exercise of compassion by my servants? Do you suppose that he would have been convinced that these men were mine merely by the way in which I freed them and that this would have "convinced" him? No! He was about to take his own life with no concern for the implications of what just took place. Learn this lesson Jeff- you cannot argue someone into believing. Remember Lydia. Know that most will react with greater hearing when they see that you care and have compassion greater than your drive to be proven correct. Pray for this level of compassion for the lost Jeff.
	Application and Prayer:
	Today, by your grace, I will not choose to willingly sin against you Today I will seek to listen for your voice and to follow your lead Today I will avoid stumbling others  Today I will pray for compassion and I will seek to understand the perspective of others Today, by your grace, I will consider salvation of the lost above my comfort or safety Thank you Lord for this lesson in your Word. Please fill me with your Spirit and enable me to walk in this truth. Let me apply your Word today and I pray that your creation would shout for your glory today in Yosemite!  In Jesus name I pray, amen. Soli Deo Gloria! View blog from a computer or iPad for more content. Follow @dailysurrender