In the first half of Leviticus 10 we read of the death of Nadab and Abihu . Keeping things in context helps our understanding and I think , can give us clues to things unspoken . After their deaths , in the same chapter , verses 9 - 11 , we read that God prohibits anyone from entering the tabernacle if they have partaken of alcohol . These verses , coming right after the deaths of Aaron's sons , may indicate that part of the reason they behaved so recklessly was because they had had some alcohol in their systems . This is not stated in the narrative , though I have always been inclined to believe that that is what happened .
Hello Tekoa. According to Leviticus 10:1,2, Aaron's sons, Nadab & Abihu offered "strange fire before the LORD". As sons of Aaron & set apart for the service of the Tabernacle, they, as all those who served there, had to be meticulous in their service, abiding with the minutest instruction of God.
There seems to be a few errors committed by these two men.
a. "they took either of them his censer." Not any censer that were present with certain people, but the one holy censer ( Hebrews 9:4) that always remained in the Tabernacle, was to be used. And only one person was permitted to do this work.
b. These men erroneously assumed the work of the High Priest, since the Law stated that only the High Priest could perform this work ( Leviticus 16:11-13).
c. "offered strange fire before the LORD, which he commanded them not." It seems that they took the fire from an ordinary source & not from the holy fire off the Altar ( Leviticus 16:12). So, it could be that this "strange fire" coupled with their unauthorized work & use of illegal implements, angered the LORD that brought on their immediate judgement & punishment. This also has a lesson for us: our salvation & the new life that Jesus has given us was both undeserved & so precious - we need to take it seriously & live carefully before our Heavenly Father - something those two sons were very careless with.
Tekoa, Sister GiGi, who is presently sharing her observations & thoughts on this Book of Leviticus, is giving some great material to consider & learn from. You may care to follow her presentations, starting from Chapter 1.
There seems to be a few errors committed by these two men.
a. "they took either of them his censer." Not any censer that were present with certain people, but the one holy censer ( Hebrews 9:4) that always remained in the Tabernacle, was to be used. And only one person was permitted to do this work.
b. These men erroneously assumed the work of the High Priest, since the Law stated that only the High Priest could perform this work ( Leviticus 16:11-13).
c. "offered strange fire before the LORD, which he commanded them not." It seems that they took the fire from an ordinary source & not from the holy fire off the Altar ( Leviticus 16:12). So, it could be that this "strange fire" coupled with their unauthorized work & use of illegal implements, angered the LORD that brought on their immediate judgement & punishment. This also has a lesson for us: our salvation & the new life that Jesus has given us was both undeserved & so precious - we need to take it seriously & live carefully before our Heavenly Father - something those two sons were very careless with.
Tekoa, Sister GiGi, who is presently sharing her observations & thoughts on this Book of Leviticus, is giving some great material to consider & learn from. You may care to follow her presentations, starting from Chapter 1.
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