The month of May is the time for celebrating mothers’ day or parents’ day in our church. In fact, everywhere from radio to social media to cake shops, there will be hints and quotes and pictures to remind us to honour and love our parents. Recently as I read the Bible, I read an incident that is the complete opposite of honouring parents. I thought perhaps in the midst of all the loving and warm messages of mothers’ day, we can read this negative example in order to impress on us not to grieve the hearts of our parents.
The story revolves around Aaron, an important figure in the Bible. He was one of the key leaders of the Israelites in the past. Together with his brother and sister, Moses and Miriam, he led the Israelites out of Egypt. Belonging to the tribe of Levi, Aaron and his tribe were appointed by God to be priests serving God in the Temple. Aaron was the first High Priest and his four sons were also anointed as priests according to Moses’ instructions from God. At first they served God together as a family, but then a tragedy happened:
“Aaron’s sons Nadab and Abihu took their censers, put fire in them and added incense; and they offered unauthorized fire before the Lord, contrary to his command. So fire came out from the presence of the Lord and consumed them, and they died before the Lord.” (Leviticus 10:1-2)
Aaron’s two sons had just been anointed as priests, presenting offerings on behalf of the Israelites. They would not have been ignorant or unclear about God’s commandments, but still they made the offerings in the way they preferred. At the heart of it, they were holding God’s authority in contempt. “Unauthorized fire” is normal fire, fire not taken from the altar. Fire on the altar was lit by God, and therefore holy. “Their censers” are objects unrelated to the altar. God had already decreed that incense would be burnt on the altar only.
Aaron’s sons were not only rebellious towards their parents, but also to God. Aaron, as a father and the high priest, was watching as his sons committed grave sins, so that they were killed by God in front of the people. As they died they were still in priest’s clothing. What a blow this must have been. Moses explained to Aaron, saying, “This is what the LORD spoke of when he said: “’Among those who approach me I will be proved holy; in the sight of all the people I will be honoured.’”
“Aaron remained silent.” (Leviticus 10:3) “Remained silent” does not just mean holding back without making a sound, here it has a very intense emotion meaning “heart was pierced through”. Aaron held back his grief, even though his heart was pierced through. He did not defend his sons or speak out for them, instead he submitted to the display of the glory of God, willingly laying aside his feelings. In such a painful moment, Aaron chose to honour God over his sons. As parents, are we capable of doing this?
Children, how many times do we feel we want to handle things our own way? We become arrogant and proud of our own importance and abilities. We are too full of contempt to follow the instructions of our parents and ultimately God’s word. This tragic incident reminds us to carefully examine our actions and our hearts so as not to bring grief and sorrow to our parents.
Perhaps the best gift to our parents is not just carnations or a cake, but in all we do and all we are, we grieve them not.