07/21/2008 Leviticus 10:1

07/21/2008

Leviticus 10:1 - 3 (HCSB) ¹Aaron’s sons Nadab and Abihu each took his own firepan, put fire in it, placed incense on it, and presented unauthorized fire before the LORD, which He had not commanded them [to do]. ²Then flames leaped from the LORD’s presence and burned them to death before the LORD. ³So Moses said to Aaron, “This is what the LORD meant when He said:
    I will show My holiness
    to those who are near Me,
    and I will reveal My glory
    before all the people.”
But Aaron remained silent.

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I have skipped over many chapters of scripture. The instructions for the priests, for the offerings, and the tabernacle are greatly detailed and repeated so that there is no mistake on how things should be done. The priests had very specific actions they were to take.

In this particular event, two of Aaron’s four sons present “unauthorized fire” to the Lord. We can only speculate as to what this “unauthorized fire” was, or what their motivation was, however, we do know they took their fire pans (censors) and presented them to the Lord.

On the surface, one might think that what happened to Nadab and Abihu was severe. But I think the overlying truth needs to be explored.

Our God is a Holy God.

When we approach Him, we must approach Him on His terms. We cannot simply make up little rituals or whatever – even with the best of intentions – expecting His approval. Approaching God is a serious matter and the actions that were prescribed for the priests was for their own protection.

Everything the priests did before approaching the altar was to represent the covering of their sins, because God cannot tolerate sin.

Today, we have the glorious gift of Jesus Christ—the covering for our sins. The way we approach God has been greatly simplified and each of us has become a Priest because we are given the right to approach God directly.

However, just because we have the right to approach God directly does not mean it is any less serious than it was for Aaron’s sons. For us, we must approach God remembering the blood of Jesus that was shed for us – that covers our sins, giving us the privilege of approaching God.

If we attempt to approach God by any other means than through Jesus Christ, then we are an offense to him.

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