The Rabbi's Husband

Joining Mark on today’s episode is his friend of 30 years, Pastor Jason Poling, an Anglican Priest serving at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Baltimore who has 20 years of serving in Pastoral Ministry. Today, Jason and Mark discuss Leviticus 10:1, The Strange Fire.

After providing the context for this passage, Pastor Jason offers his perspective on the sin of Nadab and Abihu, and Mark shares his views on it as well. This passage is very special to the Pastor, and he explains the reasons why, and also introduces two things he has learned about mankind during his many years of service. Distinguishing between religious enthusiasm and religious extremism, exploring the human capacity for self-deception, and emphasizing the importance of maintaining civilization are just some of the themes running through this thought provoking and informative episode, rendering it highly relevant given the state of our world today.

Episode Highlights:

The context of Leviticus 10:1 Perspectives on Nadab and Abihu’s sin Why this passage is so special to Pastor Jason Two things that he has learned about mankind during all his years in Pastoral Ministry

Quotes:

“I think here we see some early religious extremists, and what happens to them.”

“They probably joined a cult where they didn’t get married, didn’t have kids, drank too much, and brought an alien or strange or prohibited fire to the altar.”

“We have to make a distinction between religious enthusiasm…and religious extremism.”

“The human capacity for self-deception is far beyond what most of us appreciate.”

“Civilization is a gift that we have to cultivate, we have to maintain.”

Leviticus 10:1-2 Now Aaron’s sons Nadab and Abihu each took his fire pan, put fire in it, and laid incense on it; and they offered before the LORD alien fire, which He had not enjoined upon them. And fire came forth from the LORD and consumed them; thus they died at the instance of the LORD. https://www.sefaria.org/Leviticus.10.1-2?lang=bi&aliyot=0

Links:

The Rabbi’s Husband homepage: http://therabbishusband.com/

Mark’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/markgerson?lang=en

Welcome to The Rabbi’s Husband podcast where your host, Mark Gerson, meets with fellow seekers of biblical truth to unearth the inspiring, instructive, and highly practical wisdom of Torah passages. Mark’s guest this week is Bishop Robert Stearns, founder and leader of Eagles’ Wings, a parachurch ministry focusing on creating and strengthening the bonds between Christian leaders and the State of Israel physically, spiritually, and holistically.

In this episode, Mark and Robert discuss Caleb, the first political Zionist, the lessons to be learned from the Bible and Caleb’s role particularly, and the parallels Robert finds between Caleb and his own work today. They also reflect upon the power of Jewish-Gentile friendship and cooperation, especially in current times, and Robert shares some lessons he has learned during his lengthy career as a Pastor. As Mark notes, “Everything in the Bible is trying to teach us something about how we can live our lives better and more meaningfully today”, and you can rest assured that the wealth of insight and knowledge shared in this episode offers a formidable step forward in this profoundly rewarding journey of discovery.

Episode Highlights:

Caleb’s first appearance in the Torah and the lesson it offers The power that the Bible possesses The Ereb Rab Robert’s work in the world today Jewish-Gentile friendship and cooperation Some lessons Robert has learned as a pastor

Quotes:

“The Torah is living and active.”

“One of the great gifts of the Jewish people to the world is this understanding of an ordered universe under the care and auspices of a benevolent, good Creator God.”

“Caleb is the archetype of the Gentile who links himself to the spiritual journey.”

“Israel…you are well able to have a thriving, blessed society in your ancient borders because God has ordained this.”

“We’re living in a moment that has great continuity all the way back to Caleb and Joshua of Jewish and Gentile cooperation around ethical monotheism.”

Numbers 13:1-33 The LORD spoke to Moses, saying, “Send men to scout the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the Israelite people; send one man from each of their ancestral tribes, each one a chieftain among them.” So Moses, by the LORD’s command, sent them out from the wilderness of Paran, all the men being leaders of the Israelites. https://www.sefaria.org/Numbers.13.1-3?lang=bi&aliyot=0

Links:

The Rabbi’s Husband homepage: http://therabbishusband.com/

Mark’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/markgerson?lang=en

Eagles’ Wings homepage: https://eagleswings.org/