Nadab and Abihu were ignited by YHWH for bringing fire along with incense into the tabernacle. They may have had zeal for YHWH but did not fear YHWH properly. God had strictly restricted the fire to be burned on the altar to come from the altar within the tabernacle. This fire was to be a perpetual fire. Moses had just instructed the priests and consecrated them. The priestly duties had just begun. But these sons were brash and immature. They did not respect God's ordained way for them to serve Him. God's judgment upon them was swift and deadly. Imagine the horror to Aaron to see his sons made into human torches by God. And then Moses instructed Aaron and his family to not mourn for his sons in the usual mannerisms.
This event reminds me that there really is only one way to approach God and that is in and through Jesus who is our righteousness and covering. He covers us and vouches for us to protect us in our lack of truly knowing how holy God is. Jesus keeps us from being destroyed by God's consuming fire.
The bodies of Nadab and Abihu were taken outside the camp because their remains were unholy. God instructed Moses, Aaron, and the Israelites to distinguish between what is holy and unholy and right and wrong worship. God insisted that anyone who approaches Him must acknowledge his holiness and any actions are to glorify God before others, never to draw attention to oneself.
God instructed Aaron and his remaining sons that they should bewail God's judgement and sincerely and soberly regard it. Same was to be for the people. They are not to trifle with God in their own will and reason. Aaron and his sons were not to leave the tabernacle as they were serving God as priests still with the anointing oil still being upon them and this instruction was given by Moses under threat of death. Aaron and Moses obeyed. This was a difficult and substantial lesson for the priest to learn. Their service to YHWH on behalf of the people is holy.
Nadab and Abihu were ignited by YHWH for bringing fire along with incense into the tabernacle. They may have had zeal for YHWH but did not fear YHWH properly. God had strictly restricted the fire to be burned on the altar to come from the altar within the tabernacle. This fire was to be a perpetual fire. Moses had just instructed the priests and consecrated them. The priestly duties had just begun. But these sons were brash and immature. They did not respect God's ordained way for them to serve Him. God's judgment upon them was swift and deadly. Imagine the horror to Aaron to see his sons made into human torches by God. And then Moses instructed Aaron and his family to not mourn for his sons in the usual mannerisms.
This event reminds me that there really is only one way to approach God and that is in and through Jesus who is our righteousness and covering. He covers us and vouches for us to protect us in our lack of truly knowing how holy God is. Jesus keeps us from being destroyed by God's consuming fire.
The bodies of Nadab and Abihu were taken outside the camp because their remains were unholy. God instructed Moses, Aaron, and the Israelites to distinguish between what is holy and unholy and right and wrong worship. God insisted that anyone who approaches Him must acknowledge his holiness and any actions are to glorify God before others, never to draw attention to oneself.
God instructed Aaron and his remaining sons that they should bewail God's judgement and sincerely and soberly regard it. Same was to be for the people. They are not to trifle with God in their own will and reason. Aaron and his sons were not to leave the tabernacle as they were serving God as priests still with the anointing oil still being upon them and this instruction was given by Moses under threat of death. Aaron and Moses obeyed. This was a difficult and substantial lesson for the priest to learn. Their service to YHWH on behalf of the people is holy.
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