January 27, 2024
Please use the comment section on this page to share insights from today’s reading OR your own personal Bible reading.
Reading along with us in Leviticus? Here’s today’s reading:
Leviticus 10 (NIV)
The Death of Nadab and Abihu
1 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. 2 So fire came out from the presence of the Lord and consumed them, and they died before the Lord. 3 Moses then said to Aaron, “This is what the Lord spoke of when he said:……Continue Reading
Leviticus 10
It is unclear why Aaron’s two sons decided to make fire in an unauthorized way, perhaps giving what God instructs later about the priests being never being drunk because it can cloud their judgement and discernment of what is the presence of God we can maybe conclude that was the reason. Whatever the reason their attempt to bring God’s presence in their own way and in their own timing brought about their deaths.
All too often when God is not working the way we want or in the timing we expect, we try to do His work for Him and get ourselves into trouble. God does NOT need our help and He has a plan and a purpose and should be glorified in all we do and say. As we see here and like Pastor reminds us often, He WILL be glorified it is just a matter of will He be glorified through us or in spite of us, like Aaron’s sons.
Leviticus 10
Two of the sons of Aaron both Nadab and Abihu were destroyed by fire that came out of the Lord. The reason was because they offered strange fire {KJV} or unauthorized fire. This happened right after the Lord consumed the Burnt offering by fire and the people had shouted and bowed down on their faces. It says that these two sons took their censers and put fire in and added incense. From studying this passage and others it would probably be because they did something that didn`t need to be done. For weren`t the offerings done? They were adding to what God told them to do. There also seems to be additional reason if I understand correctly. The only time that they are told to use incense is for the Grain offering. Lev. 2:1 It doesn`t seem to be done on any of the other offerings. Although the Grain offering was also in conjunction with some of the other offerings. So it probably was the first comment of adding beyond what God had said. He does tell us not add or take away from His word. Moses says speaking for God that He will be sanctified in them that come before Him. { God} God will be glorified. He won`t share His glory with another. We serve an awesome God. May the Lord richly bless those that follow Him.
Leviticus 10
I thought the same as Kelly as to whether intoxication led to this foolish action of Aaron’s sons. God had showed Himself holy in similar ways in the past and had given strict instructions as to how to handle things in the sanctuary. It further reveals the Holiness of God and the ends He will take to protect it. But mostly so the people distinguish between the holy and the common. As for us, it is important not to get too familiar with God. He certainly loves us and we are His children, but there is still a place to always revere Him even in the context of those realities.
When I read about God forbidding wine by the priests all I could think of was Communion and the Passover cups in that meal. These are with meals in the home, not in God’s holy temple…God is holy, not common. Just like the unauthorized fire that Aaron’s sons offered at the door of the tabernacle. They did not discern the difference, perhaps because they were drunk. 😔