10 Leviticus - Strange Fire

10 Leviticus – Strange Fire Exodus 24:1-11, a reminder of who Nadab and Abihu were, elders and leaders. Leviticus 10 – the main focus on chapter 10 always seems to center on verses 1 & 2. V. 1-2 V.1 – This must take place at the Altar of Incense which is just outside the Holy Place The Jewish perspective is: “Celebration turned to tragedy. The two eldest sons of Aaron die. The sages and commentators offer many explanations. Nadav and Avihu died because: they entered the holy of holies; they were not wearing the requisite clothes; they took fire from the kitchen, not the altar; they did not consult Moses and Aaron; nor did they consult one another. According to some they were guilty of hubris [pride]. They were impatient to assume leadership roles themselves; and they did not marry, considering themselves above such things. Yet others see their deaths as delayed punishment for an earlier sin, when, at Mount Sinai they “ate and drank” in the presence of G‑d (Ex. 24: 9-11).” (Chabad) Rashi: “And fire went forth: Rabbi Eliezer says: Aaron’s sons died only because they rendered halachic [legal interpretation ??] decisions in the presence of Moses, their teacher. Rabbi Ishmael says: [They died because] they had entered the sanctuary after having drunk wine. The proof is that after their death, [Scripture] admonished the survivors that they may not enter the sanctuary after having drunk wine. This is analogous to a king who had a faithful attendant. [When he found him standing at tavern entrances, he severed his head in silence and appointed another attendant in his place. We would not know why he put the first to death, but for his enjoining the second thus, “You must not enter the doorway of taverns,” from which we know that for such a reason he had put the first one to death. Thus [it is said], “And fire went forth from before the Lord and consumed them, and they died before the Lord.” But we would not know why they [Nadab and Abihu] died, but for His commanding Aaron, “Do not drink wine that will lead to intoxication.” We know from this that they died precisely on account of the wine. For this reason, Scripture showed love to Aaron by directing the divine utterance to him alone, thus, “Do not drink wine that will lead to intoxication,”] as recounted in Vayikra Rabbah (12:1).” Other thoughts might include: · Maybe the incense was prepared incorrectly and not according to the apothecary – Exodus 37:29. · Maybe they wanted to be closer to God · Maybe they went too far into the temple; Holy of holies where only the High Priest could go – Leviticus 16:1-2 And the LORD spake unto Moses after the death of the two sons of Aaron, when they offered before the LORD, and died; 2 And the LORD said unto Moses, Speak unto Aaron thy brother, that he come not at all times into the holy place within the vail before the mercy seat, which is upon the ark; that he die not: for I will appear in the cloud upon the mercy seat. 3 Thus shall Aaron come into the holy place:- Offerings must first be made. There is even more in Leviticus 16:11-13 that offers more proof that the problem may have been they overstepped their role. o Exodus 30:10 And Aaron shall make an atonement upon the horns of it once in a year with the blood of the sin offering of atonements: once in the year shall he make atonement upon it throughout your generations: it is most holy unto the LORD. V.3 – Who come near except the priest – now of course we are all part of a priesthood, and it is God desire that we all draw near, even as it was in the beginning. God wanted a close relationship with His creation, and He still does. · God gave specific instruction on who, how, and even when… The procedures were meant to be followed. We suspect that Nadab and Abihu didn’t follow them. V.8 – Were they also drunk?? (Maybe) Again the point is, follow the procedures. V12-15. – The point is, follow the procedures. V.16-18 – Moses asked, Why haven’t you followed the procedures and eaten the sin offering? The only thing we can be certain of is that which is recorded in verse 1, they did that which God had not commanded them to do. Regardless, they did something, and they died. But who can know the heart of a man except GOD? Perhaps it was a heart issue, or as the Jew’s think, perhaps a Hubris / pride issue. Matthew 23:27-28 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness. 28 Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity. Acts 5 – Ananias and Sapphira fall into the category of wanting appear better on the outside than they were on the inside. The Bible says in Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. So, we understand that we are saved by Faith, and yet there is a certain sense and understanding that there ought to be an act of obedience to God as well. Evan a continual act of obedience. Obedience in what manner you might ask. How about an obedience to the moral laws of God? How about an understanding of being called unto righteousness, holiness even? How about a call to live a Christ like life? We have not been given a procedure to follow. No, we have been given a living example of how we ought to live, and perhaps how to die as well. Jesus said, Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. 14 If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. 16 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. 17 If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.” John 13:13-17. It’s about more than washing feet. Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. Matthew 16:24. Nadab and Abihu didn’t follow God’s procedures and God made an example out of them. The Children of Israel didn’t follow God’s procedures and God made examples out of them. We have been called to follow God’s Son as examples to the world. How are you doing with that? His word tells us, “I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.” Psalm 32:8. What might be lacking is submission on our part. c

Notes: https://www.chabad.org/parshah/article_cdo/aid/2869/jewish/The-Mysterious-Death-of-Nadab-and-Abihu.htm

A Jewish perspective that is very different from most – a Divine Fire consumed them, see ^ link.