Leviticus 10:20 - When Moses heard that, it was pleasing in his sight.
Select Bible Verse
Filter Categories
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W
What does "Leviticus 10:20" mean?
The verse "When Moses heard that, it was pleasing in his sight" (Leviticus 10:20) refers to Moses' reaction to Aaron's explanation for why he and his remaining son, Eleazar, did not eat the sin offering as commanded after the tragic deaths of Aaron's other two sons, Nadab and Abihu.
To understand why this was significant, we need context:
The Tragedy: Nadab and Abihu offered "strange fire" before the Lord and were consumed by fire (Leviticus 10:1-2). This was a severe violation of God's commands regarding worship.
Mourning and Laws: Moses instructed Aaron and his remaining sons, Eleazar and Ithamar, not to mourn outwardly as a sign of respect for God's judgment and to remain in the sanctuary.
The Sin Offering: They were supposed to eat the sin offering, which was a priestly duty that symbolized bearing the sin of the people and atoning for it.
Aaron's Explanation (Leviticus 10:19): Aaron explains that given the tragedy and their current state of mourning, it would have been inappropriate in God's sight for them to eat the sin offering. He argues that it would have been unacceptable to God, because they were in a state of grief and therefore not ritually clean enough to perform the sacred duty of consuming the sin offering.
Therefore, "When Moses heard that, it was pleasing in his sight" signifies:
Moses' Acceptance: Moses accepted Aaron's explanation as valid and understandable. He recognized the weight of the tragedy and understood the spiritual implications of attempting to perform the ritual while overwhelmed by grief.
Validation of Aaron's Judgment: Moses, the leader and lawgiver, essentially affirmed Aaron's sensitivity to the situation and his understanding of God's character and the spirit of the law. It showed that even amidst strict adherence to the law, there was room for compassionate and thoughtful application.
Emphasis on the "Heart" of Worship: It highlights that God is not merely concerned with the outward performance of rituals, but also with the heart and state of mind of the worshiper.
Preservation of Harmony: It prevented further conflict within the leadership and affirmed Aaron's authority. A rebuke would have further compounded the trauma.
In essence, Moses' approval demonstrates the importance of understanding the context and the underlying principles behind religious laws and practices. It emphasizes the need for compassionate leadership and spiritual discernment even when dealing with strict regulations. God wanted obedience but not at the cost of insincere and/or impure sacrifice and service.
Leviticus 10:20 - When Moses heard that, it was pleasing in his sight.
What does "Leviticus 10:20" mean?
The verse "When Moses heard that, it was pleasing in his sight" (Leviticus 10:20) refers to Moses' reaction to Aaron's explanation for why he and his remaining son, Eleazar, did not eat the sin offering as commanded after the tragic deaths of Aaron's other two sons, Nadab and Abihu.
To understand why this was significant, we need context:
The Tragedy: Nadab and Abihu offered "strange fire" before the Lord and were consumed by fire (Leviticus 10:1-2). This was a severe violation of God's commands regarding worship.
Mourning and Laws: Moses instructed Aaron and his remaining sons, Eleazar and Ithamar, not to mourn outwardly as a sign of respect for God's judgment and to remain in the sanctuary.
The Sin Offering: They were supposed to eat the sin offering, which was a priestly duty that symbolized bearing the sin of the people and atoning for it.
Aaron's Explanation (Leviticus 10:19): Aaron explains that given the tragedy and their current state of mourning, it would have been inappropriate in God's sight for them to eat the sin offering. He argues that it would have been unacceptable to God, because they were in a state of grief and therefore not ritually clean enough to perform the sacred duty of consuming the sin offering.
Therefore, "When Moses heard that, it was pleasing in his sight" signifies:
Moses' Acceptance: Moses accepted Aaron's explanation as valid and understandable. He recognized the weight of the tragedy and understood the spiritual implications of attempting to perform the ritual while overwhelmed by grief.
Validation of Aaron's Judgment: Moses, the leader and lawgiver, essentially affirmed Aaron's sensitivity to the situation and his understanding of God's character and the spirit of the law. It showed that even amidst strict adherence to the law, there was room for compassionate and thoughtful application.
Emphasis on the "Heart" of Worship: It highlights that God is not merely concerned with the outward performance of rituals, but also with the heart and state of mind of the worshiper.
Preservation of Harmony: It prevented further conflict within the leadership and affirmed Aaron's authority. A rebuke would have further compounded the trauma.
In essence, Moses' approval demonstrates the importance of understanding the context and the underlying principles behind religious laws and practices. It emphasizes the need for compassionate leadership and spiritual discernment even when dealing with strict regulations. God wanted obedience but not at the cost of insincere and/or impure sacrifice and service.