THE DEATHS OF NADAB AND ABIHU
Keywords 10:3
Moses then said to Aaron, "This is what the LORD
spoke of when he said: " 'Among those who approach me I will show myself
holy; in the sight of all the people I will be honored.' " Aaron remained
silent.
1. Suddenly, in the excitement of the moment, Aaron’s sons Nadab and Abihu took censers and offered
unauthorized fire before the Lord. But God did not take it lightly and struck
them down on the spot. Moses spoke the truth: “Among those who approach me I will be proved holy; in
the sight of all the people I will be honored.” (3) God’s
judgment seemed to be too harsh. But God who is holy must be honored by his
servants. In their sinful pride, Nadab and Abihu worshiped God in their own
way, adding to the law, and dishonored God before the people. To God, how we
approach him and live before him is very serious. We very easily forfeit the
grace that would be ours by our sinful pride.
2. Moses
commanded their cousins to take their dead bodies outside the camp. Moses also warned
Aaron and his sons not to mourn for the anointing oil was on them and they were
in the tent of meeting. They must respect and uphold God’s judgment in spite of their personal feelings. Moses
gave instructions for the sacrifices to be eaten, yet Aaron’s remaining sons Eleazar and Ithamar refused to eat
because of grief. They also disobeyed God in their omission of the law. Yet
Aaron answered wisely on their behalf in the spirit of the law. There must be
truth and grace.
Prayer Father,
help us by Jesus’ grace to honor and obey you with devotion, and also
catch the spirit of the law, which is mercy.
One Word To obey is
better than to sacrifice
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