(Leviticus 8-10)
The story of Nadab and Abihu is a curious one. They were there for the entire Exodus story; they saw God's power in parting the Red Sea and His wisdom in giving the Law. They watched as the Tabernacle took shape and were taught by Moses the importance of the priesthood and their responsibility as priests. They watched as God gave divine fire to be used in offering sacrifices, yet in one inexplicable lapse of judgment they chose to use fire of their own origin and it costs them their lives. What leads a person to abandon God's direction and choose to follow their own desires? Why would anyone who has witnessed the love of God and His favor decide to disobey and offer what they chose rather that what God had prescribed? I mean, surely they had heard the story of Cain and Abel.
I believe God has provided the record of this incident as a warning for us. In the chapters leading up to this event, God had given exacting, specific instructions on worship that He would find acceptable. These men had no excuses for their rebellious decision. They had been taught, they had daily access to God and His teaching and still chose to go their own way. So what is the warning for us and what are we to take away from the deaths of these two priests, these two servants of God? Let's pull over and park right here for a moment and let that question sink in..... thinking..... thinking.....
Then Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, each took his censer and put fire
in it, put incense on it, and offered profane fire before the Lord, which He had not commanded them. So fire went out from the Lord and devoured them, and they died before the Lord. And Moses said to Aaron, “This is what the Lord spoke, saying: ‘By those who come near Me, I must be regarded as holy; And before all the people, I must be glorified.’” (Leviticus 10:1-3)
The word that jumps out at me is "profane". This seems to be the issue at hand. Of course it is the hearts of these two men that is at the root of the problem, but their actions are a demonstration of their hearts. What they did was a reflection of who they were. They offered "profane" fire before the LORD. So, you might be asking "what is the big deal?". They were ministering/ serving before the LORD. They were giving their time and effort in service, what is the problem here? The problem is that they didn't respect God and His desire in service. Worship wasn't and isn't about what His servants want, what makes us happy or is easy for us. Worship is offering to God what God has specified. That demonstrates an obedient spirit and shows our love by offering what He asks for.
Back to "profane" or "strange" as some translations put it. The Hebrew word is "zuwr" and carries with it the idea of committing adultery. Nadab and Abihu were committing adultery when they used "strange" fire to burn incense in worship to God. Using anything that God has not provided or specified in worship to Him is profane, He sees it as adulterous. Nadab and Abihu learned the hard way that what we offer to God must find its' origin in Him.
In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus puts it this way: "This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. And he called the multitude, and said unto them, Hear, and understand" (Matt 15:8-10) Worship that isn't from God and directed to God, Jesus calls "vain". Vain means that something is worthless and has no purpose. When we teach what has it's origin in the human mind and call it the doctrine of God, the result is worship that is worthless. The writer of Hebrews tells us that "We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away". Pay careful attention. What God has stipulated is the only thing that He will accept.
Would I prefer pizza and Coke on the Lord's Table, sure! It would be much more enjoyable and flavorful, but that is the point isn't it. It is not about me. The Bible stipulates "fruit of the vine" and "unleavened bread" as the items to be served on the Table. So, for me to partake of the Supper in a way that honors God, I obey Him. Do I like instrumental music? Sure, love it! But God has specified that we "Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord." (Eph 5:19) History records that the early church offered accapella worship to God and that instruments were not added until hundreds of years later. The word "accapella" even means "in the manner of the church". Will God accept other forms of music? I don't know, that is His decision, so I will not condemn it. But this I do know and it is without dispute.... the early church did not use instruments in worship. The acceptability of acapella worship is not in question by anyone that I am aware of.
Back to the warning... God demonstrated that He would not accept "strange", "adulterous" or "profane" worship. He demands that we offer Him what he has specified. It is all about our hearts. If we love God, why would we want to offer Him what makes us happy, what pleases us. That is selfish, that is putting our wants, our likes, our desires above the One that is the object of our worship. May we learn the easy way and understand the lessons of Nadab and Abihu. May we with pure hearts, bring our worship as He has specified before Him and find the blessings that He promises those that are faithful... lest we "drift away".
