Leviticus 10: Understanding God's Holiness and the Consequences of Disobedience
And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the Lord, which he commanded them not.
And there went out fire from the Lord, and devoured them, and they died before the Lord.
Then Moses said unto Aaron, This is it that the Lord spake, saying, I will be sanctified in them that come nigh me, and before all the people I will be glorified. And Aaron held his peace.
And Moses called Mishael and Elzaphan, the sons of Uzziel the uncle of Aaron, and said unto them, Come near, carry your brethren from before the sanctuary out of the camp.
So they went near, and carried them in their coats out of the camp; as Moses had said.
And Moses said unto Aaron, and unto Eleazar and unto Ithamar, his sons, Uncover not your heads, neither rend your clothes; lest ye die, and lest wrath come upon all the people: but let your brethren, the whole house of Israel, bewail the burning which the Lord hath kindled.
And ye shall not go out from the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, lest ye die: for the anointing oil of the Lord is upon you. And they did according to the word of Moses.
And the Lord spake unto Aaron, saying,
Do not drink wine nor strong drink, thou, nor thy sons with thee, when ye go into the tabernacle of the congregation, lest ye die: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations:
And that ye may put difference between holy and unholy, and between unclean and clean;
And that ye may teach the children of Israel all the statutes which the Lord hath spoken unto them by the hand of Moses.
And Moses spake unto Aaron, and unto Eleazar and unto Ithamar, his sons that were left, Take the meat offering that remaineth of the offerings of the Lord made by fire, and eat it without leaven beside the altar: for it is most holy:
And ye shall eat it in the holy place, because it is thy due, and thy sons’ due, of the sacrifices of the Lord made by fire: for so I am commanded.
And the wave breast and heave shoulder shall ye eat in a clean place; thou, and thy sons, and thy daughters with thee: for they be thy due, and thy sons’ due, which are given out of the sacrifices of peace offerings of the children of Israel.
The heave shoulder and the wave breast shall they bring with the offerings made by fire of the fat, to wave it for a wave offering before the Lord; and it shall be thine, and thy sons’ with thee, by a statute for ever; as the Lord hath commanded.
And Moses diligently sought the goat of the sin offering, and, behold, it was burnt: and he was angry with Eleazar and Ithamar, the sons of Aaron which were left alive, saying,
Wherefore have ye not eaten the sin offering in the holy place, seeing it is most holy, and God hath given it you to bear the iniquity of the congregation, to make atonement for them before the Lord?
Behold, the blood of it was not brought in within the holy place: ye should indeed have eaten it in the holy place, as I commanded.
And Aaron said unto Moses, Behold, this day have they offered their sin offering and their burnt offering before the Lord; and such things have befallen me: and if I had eaten the sin offering to day, should it have been accepted in the sight of the Lord?
And when Moses heard that, he was content.
Leviticus 10 serves as a stark reminder of God's holiness and the serious consequences of disobedience, particularly for those in positions of leadership. This chapter, though sobering, is crucial for understanding the gravity of approaching God with reverence and adhering to His specific commands. It highlights the importance of obedience, the weight of responsibility for those who lead in worship, and the ever-present need to distinguish between the sacred and the profane.
The Sin of Nadab and Abihu (Leviticus 10:1-3)
The chapter opens with a tragic event: Nadab and Abihu, Aaron's two eldest sons, offer "unauthorized fire" before the Lord (Leviticus 10:1). The text specifies that this was "which he had not commanded them." While the exact nature of their error isn't explicitly detailed, the critical point is their deliberate deviation from God's instructions. They knew better. This wasn't a sin committed in ignorance, but a blatant disregard for God's ordained way of worship.
The consequences were immediate and severe. Fire came from the Lord and consumed them (Leviticus 10:2). This dramatic judgment underscores the importance of approaching God on His terms, not our own. Following this devastating event, Moses reminds Aaron of the Lord's holiness and the need for all the people to understand it (Leviticus 10:3). Aaron, in his grief and perhaps in stunned realization of his sons' transgression, remains silent, offering no excuses.
This passage carries a powerful lesson: God is not our "pal" or "buddy." He is the "holy, holy, holy" Creator of the universe (Isaiah 6:3; Revelation 4:8). He is pure, perfect, and all-powerful. When He gives a command, He expects and demands obedience. There is no room for improvisation or taking liberties when it comes to worshiping the Almighty.
Mourning Forbidden and Continued Service (Leviticus 10:4-7)
Adding to Aaron's profound sorrow, he was forced to watch as his cousins carried the lifeless bodies of Nadab and Abihu outside the camp (Leviticus 10:4). This removal symbolizes the ultimate rejection and discarding that comes from turning away from God's presence.
Furthermore, Aaron and his remaining sons, Eleazar and Ithamar, were forbidden to mourn publicly for the dead (Leviticus 10:6-7). This restriction, while seemingly harsh, emphasizes the paramount importance of maintaining the priestly duties and the integrity of Israel's worship. Their personal grief could not overshadow their responsibility to continue serving the Lord and ministering to the people.
Instructions for Priestly Conduct (Leviticus 10:8-11)
Following this tragedy, Moses issues fresh instructions to Aaron, emphasizing the importance of discernment and proper conduct within the priesthood (Leviticus 10:8-11). One key instruction was to distinguish "between the holy and the common, and between the unclean and the clean" (Leviticus 10:10). This was precisely what Nadab and Abihu had failed to do, leading to their demise.
This highlights the crucial role of spiritual leaders in guiding the people in understanding and adhering to God's standards. They must be able to discern between what is sacred and what is profane, and to teach the people accordingly.
An Offering Mishap and Divine Forgiveness (Leviticus 10:12-20)
The chapter concludes with an incident involving the eating of the sacrificial offerings. Moses reminds Aaron and his remaining sons to eat the portions designated for the priests (Leviticus 10:12-15). Given the recent tragedy, it's understandable that Aaron and his sons might be hesitant to continue with the sacrifices, fearing further displeasure from the Lord.
Sure enough, Eleazar and Ithamar burn a part of the sin offering that they were supposed to have eaten (Leviticus 10:16-18). Moses is understandably angry about this oversight (Leviticus 10:16). However, Aaron explains that their mistake was likely due to either fear of offending the Lord or overwhelming grief (Leviticus 10:19). Moses accepts Aaron's explanation, and the situation is resolved without further judgment (Leviticus 10:20).
This episode reveals God's mercy and understanding. While He expects obedience, He also recognizes human frailty and the potential for mistakes, especially in times of intense emotional distress. The fact that Aaron's sons were not struck down suggests divine forgiveness and a continuation of God's grace.
Leviticus 10 serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of reverence, obedience, and the weight of responsibility placed on those who serve in leadership roles. It is a chapter that calls us to examine our own hearts, to ensure that we are approaching God on His terms, and to strive for holiness in all that we do. While obedience is paramount, God's mercy and understanding are also evident, offering hope and encouragement to those who seek to serve Him with a sincere heart.
And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the Lord, which he commanded them not.
And there went out fire from the Lord, and devoured them, and they died before the Lord.
Then Moses said unto Aaron, This is it that the Lord spake, saying, I will be sanctified in them that come nigh me, and before all the people I will be glorified. And Aaron held his peace.
And Moses called Mishael and Elzaphan, the sons of Uzziel the uncle of Aaron, and said unto them, Come near, carry your brethren from before the sanctuary out of the camp.
So they went near, and carried them in their coats out of the camp; as Moses had said.
And Moses said unto Aaron, and unto Eleazar and unto Ithamar, his sons, Uncover not your heads, neither rend your clothes; lest ye die, and lest wrath come upon all the people: but let your brethren, the whole house of Israel, bewail the burning which the Lord hath kindled.
And ye shall not go out from the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, lest ye die: for the anointing oil of the Lord is upon you. And they did according to the word of Moses.
And the Lord spake unto Aaron, saying,
Do not drink wine nor strong drink, thou, nor thy sons with thee, when ye go into the tabernacle of the congregation, lest ye die: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations:
And that ye may put difference between holy and unholy, and between unclean and clean;
And that ye may teach the children of Israel all the statutes which the Lord hath spoken unto them by the hand of Moses.
And Moses spake unto Aaron, and unto Eleazar and unto Ithamar, his sons that were left, Take the meat offering that remaineth of the offerings of the Lord made by fire, and eat it without leaven beside the altar: for it is most holy:
And ye shall eat it in the holy place, because it is thy due, and thy sons’ due, of the sacrifices of the Lord made by fire: for so I am commanded.
And the wave breast and heave shoulder shall ye eat in a clean place; thou, and thy sons, and thy daughters with thee: for they be thy due, and thy sons’ due, which are given out of the sacrifices of peace offerings of the children of Israel.
The heave shoulder and the wave breast shall they bring with the offerings made by fire of the fat, to wave it for a wave offering before the Lord; and it shall be thine, and thy sons’ with thee, by a statute for ever; as the Lord hath commanded.
And Moses diligently sought the goat of the sin offering, and, behold, it was burnt: and he was angry with Eleazar and Ithamar, the sons of Aaron which were left alive, saying,
Wherefore have ye not eaten the sin offering in the holy place, seeing it is most holy, and God hath given it you to bear the iniquity of the congregation, to make atonement for them before the Lord?
Behold, the blood of it was not brought in within the holy place: ye should indeed have eaten it in the holy place, as I commanded.
And Aaron said unto Moses, Behold, this day have they offered their sin offering and their burnt offering before the Lord; and such things have befallen me: and if I had eaten the sin offering to day, should it have been accepted in the sight of the Lord?
And when Moses heard that, he was content.
Leviticus 10 serves as a stark reminder of God's holiness and the serious consequences of disobedience, particularly for those in positions of leadership. This chapter, though sobering, is crucial for understanding the gravity of approaching God with reverence and adhering to His specific commands. It highlights the importance of obedience, the weight of responsibility for those who lead in worship, and the ever-present need to distinguish between the sacred and the profane.
The Sin of Nadab and Abihu (Leviticus 10:1-3)
The chapter opens with a tragic event: Nadab and Abihu, Aaron's two eldest sons, offer "unauthorized fire" before the Lord (Leviticus 10:1). The text specifies that this was "which he had not commanded them." While the exact nature of their error isn't explicitly detailed, the critical point is their deliberate deviation from God's instructions. They knew better. This wasn't a sin committed in ignorance, but a blatant disregard for God's ordained way of worship.
The consequences were immediate and severe. Fire came from the Lord and consumed them (Leviticus 10:2). This dramatic judgment underscores the importance of approaching God on His terms, not our own. Following this devastating event, Moses reminds Aaron of the Lord's holiness and the need for all the people to understand it (Leviticus 10:3). Aaron, in his grief and perhaps in stunned realization of his sons' transgression, remains silent, offering no excuses.
This passage carries a powerful lesson: God is not our "pal" or "buddy." He is the "holy, holy, holy" Creator of the universe (Isaiah 6:3; Revelation 4:8). He is pure, perfect, and all-powerful. When He gives a command, He expects and demands obedience. There is no room for improvisation or taking liberties when it comes to worshiping the Almighty.
Mourning Forbidden and Continued Service (Leviticus 10:4-7)
Adding to Aaron's profound sorrow, he was forced to watch as his cousins carried the lifeless bodies of Nadab and Abihu outside the camp (Leviticus 10:4). This removal symbolizes the ultimate rejection and discarding that comes from turning away from God's presence.
Furthermore, Aaron and his remaining sons, Eleazar and Ithamar, were forbidden to mourn publicly for the dead (Leviticus 10:6-7). This restriction, while seemingly harsh, emphasizes the paramount importance of maintaining the priestly duties and the integrity of Israel's worship. Their personal grief could not overshadow their responsibility to continue serving the Lord and ministering to the people.
Instructions for Priestly Conduct (Leviticus 10:8-11)
Following this tragedy, Moses issues fresh instructions to Aaron, emphasizing the importance of discernment and proper conduct within the priesthood (Leviticus 10:8-11). One key instruction was to distinguish "between the holy and the common, and between the unclean and the clean" (Leviticus 10:10). This was precisely what Nadab and Abihu had failed to do, leading to their demise.
This highlights the crucial role of spiritual leaders in guiding the people in understanding and adhering to God's standards. They must be able to discern between what is sacred and what is profane, and to teach the people accordingly.
An Offering Mishap and Divine Forgiveness (Leviticus 10:12-20)
The chapter concludes with an incident involving the eating of the sacrificial offerings. Moses reminds Aaron and his remaining sons to eat the portions designated for the priests (Leviticus 10:12-15). Given the recent tragedy, it's understandable that Aaron and his sons might be hesitant to continue with the sacrifices, fearing further displeasure from the Lord.
Sure enough, Eleazar and Ithamar burn a part of the sin offering that they were supposed to have eaten (Leviticus 10:16-18). Moses is understandably angry about this oversight (Leviticus 10:16). However, Aaron explains that their mistake was likely due to either fear of offending the Lord or overwhelming grief (Leviticus 10:19). Moses accepts Aaron's explanation, and the situation is resolved without further judgment (Leviticus 10:20).
This episode reveals God's mercy and understanding. While He expects obedience, He also recognizes human frailty and the potential for mistakes, especially in times of intense emotional distress. The fact that Aaron's sons were not struck down suggests divine forgiveness and a continuation of God's grace.
Leviticus 10 serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of reverence, obedience, and the weight of responsibility placed on those who serve in leadership roles. It is a chapter that calls us to examine our own hearts, to ensure that we are approaching God on His terms, and to strive for holiness in all that we do. While obedience is paramount, God's mercy and understanding are also evident, offering hope and encouragement to those who seek to serve Him with a sincere heart.