So far in Leviticus we’ve looked at the sacrificial system and the different types of sacrifices. We’ve also looked at what it means to be God’s representative to the world. But in Leviticus 10, God shows that indifference and half-hearted worship is not something He appreciates.
Aaron’s two oldest sons, Nadab and Abihu, were like any brothers. They had fun together, grew up together, and at times got each other into trouble. Nadab and Abihu had been born in Egypt, saw all the plagues and wonders in Exodus, and as Aaron’s sons were intimatley involved with the construction of the Tabernacle, the Ark of the Covenant, and the sacrificial system. But even after all that, they chose to treat with indifference the instructions God had given them, as priests. And the end result was their deaths.
What is this “wrong fire” that the young men used? Theologians aren’t exactly sure, but most prominent theory is that the Nadab and Abihu brought coals from a regular fire and placed them on the altar. As we’ve learned, the fire on the altar of burnt offering was never to go out because it is holy (6:12-13). By bringing coals from a regular, every day camp fire, Nadab and Abihu were implying that there was nothing special about the altar fire. They disregarded their responsibility as priests in a flagrant act of disrespect for God, who was quite specific (remember the previous chapters!) and how they were to conduct worship. They weren’t just “church members” but they were the leaders of the congregation of the Israelites! By blatantly disrespecting God in open view of everyone, they sent the message that it was okay to disregard what God wanted of the people, and that He wasn’t really all that important. All God had asked of them was that they stay faithful and follow the instructions He’d given them as they lead the people in worship. In a display of His holiness, God burned them beyond recognition, and they died.1 Aaron’s sons Nadab and Abihu put coals of fire in their incense burners and sprinkled incense over them. In this way, they disobeyed the Lord by burning before him the wrong kind of fire, different than he had commanded. 2 So fire blazed forth from the Lord’s presence and burned them up, and they died there before the Lord.
3 Then Moses said to Aaron, “This is what the Lord meant when he said,
‘I will display my holiness
through those who come near me.
I will display my glory
before all the people.’”
And Aaron was silent.
What about us today? Do we take God seriously any more, or do we act more like Nadab and Abihu? Think about it for a second. How many of us really worship God, really listen to the pastor’s sermon, trying to gain a new insight to the Lord? Instead, how many of us sit on cell phones, check Facebook, email, and text through most of the service? And if we aren’t texting and IM’ing our friends making plans for “when we can get out of church” we’re talking and whispering to the people sitting next to us. When the pastor looks up while preaching, does he see eyes looking back at him, or does he see a sea of blue and white glowing in faces looking down at their gadgets?
Nadab and Abihu showed disrespect for God because they didn’t take Him seriously. God loved them, so they could just do whatever they want, and by their example they showed those around them that God is a pushover and people are free to do whatever they wished without repercussion. How easy is it for us to grow careless about obeying God, to live our way instead of His. Think about it, though. If one way of living was as good as any other, and we can just do whatever we want without consequence, God wouldn’t have given us instructions on how best to live our lives with Him, would He? God always has good reasons for what He asks us to do, and it is always for our own good! By disregarding Him and blowing Him off, we put ourselves in danger.
As God’s followers, He calls us to distinguish between what is sacred and what isn’t, what is good for us and what is bad, right and wrong (10:10-11). That is the purpose of the Ten Commandments and all of the supplemental information God gave His people in Leviticus. God didn’t due it to burden the people, but to help them live the best lives that they could. And by their example, the rest of the world would see what a wonderful and glorious God they served.
Encounter: Will you listen to God’s calling on your heart, or blow Him off for the next text on your phone? What will your example to those around you be?
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