Isn’t it amazing how man can look at some matters and think—“What’s the big deal about that?”—while God sees a “big deal.” Whose measurement do you think we should use?
In Genesis 4, “Cain brought an offering of the fruit of the ground to the Lord” (v. 3). What a great idea! What a generous man! He took from his livelihood as a tiller of the ground and brought it to God. At least, that would be our possible evaluation of the matter. But, our evaluation doesn’t matter! “The Lord… did not respect Cain and his offering” (v. 5). Why? What’s the big deal? “By faith Abel offered to God” (Heb. 11:4), and apparently Cain’s was not by faith. To God, that’s a big deal!
In Leviticus 10, “Nadab and Abihu…each took his censer and put fire in it, put incense on it, and offered…fire before the Lord…” (v. 1). What a great idea! What thoughtful men! They took that which was very meaningful and brought it to God! At least, that would be our possible evaluation of the matter. But, our evaluation doesn’t matter! “Fire went out from the Lord and devoured them, and they died before the Lord” (v. 2). Why? What’s the big deal? The fire they offered is described as “profane… which He had not commanded them” (v. 1). To God, that’s a big deal!
In Numbers 20, the Israelites contended with Moses and Aaron because there was no water (just like they did in Exodus 17). On the first occasion in Exodus 17, God told Moses to “strike the rock, and water will come out of it” (v. 6). So, in Numbers 20, “Moses lifted up his hand and struck the rock twice with his rod; and water came out abundantly…” (v. 11). What a great idea! What an insightful man! He took the word of God from years before and went the extra mile by doing twice as much as God required! At least, that would be our possible evaluation of the matter. But, our evaluation doesn’t matter! “Then the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron…‘you shall not bring this assembly into the land which I have given them’” (v. 12b). Why? What’s the big deal? “Because you did not believe Me, to hallow Me in the eyes of the children of Israel” (v. 12a). To God, that’s a big deal!
When I pick up the word of God and read the commands that He has given to me (no matter how big or small I might deem them to be), they are all a “big deal” to God!