“And Nadab and Abihu died, when they offered strange fire before the Lord.”
Context: The book of Numbers is the fourth book of the Bible, and it provides an account of the Israelites’ journey from Mount Sinai to the Promised Land. In this verse, we encounter a reference to Nadab and Abihu, two sons of Aaron, who died because they offered strange fire before the Lord.
Who were Nadab and Abihu? Nadab and Abihu were two of Aaron’s four sons, along with Eleazar and Ithamar. They held the privilege of being priests, chosen by God to assist their father in performing priestly duties within the tabernacle. Nadab and Abihu are first mentioned in Exodus 24:1, and their tragic story is narrated in more detail in Leviticus 10:1-2.
The incident of offering strange fire: According to Leviticus 10:1-2, Nadab and Abihu offered incense with unauthorized fire, which the Lord had not commanded them. As a result, fire came out from the presence of God and consumed them, and they died before the Lord. Their death served as a stern warning and reminder to the priests and the Israelites about the importance of following God’s instructions carefully and reverently.
Lessons from Nadab and Abihu’s disobedience:
- Reverence for God: Nadab and Abihu’s actions demonstrated a lack of reverence for the holiness of God and His instructions. They took the liberty to offer incense in a manner that God had not prescribed. This incident reminds us of the importance of approaching God with humility, respect, and obedience.
- The danger of presumption: Nadab and Abihu presumed that their own approach to worship would be acceptable to God, despite deviating from His specific instructions. Their tragic end serves as a warning against presumptuous and self-centered worship. God desires worship that aligns with His revealed will and character.
- Obedience to God’s commands: The incident highlights the necessity of obedience to God’s commands. God had given detailed instructions regarding the offering of incense and the use of the altar, and Nadab and Abihu’s failure to follow these instructions led to severe consequences. This underscores the importance of diligently seeking to understand and obey God’s Word in our lives today.
- Application for us today: While we may not be priests offering sacrifices in a tabernacle, the principles conveyed through this passage are still relevant. We are called to approach God with reverence, humility, and obedience, following His revealed instructions. Presuming upon God’s grace or taking shortcuts in our worship can lead to negative consequences. Instead, we should seek to honor God by aligning our lives with His Word and faithfully following His commands.
In conclusion, Numbers 26:61 serves as a reminder of the tragic end of Nadab and Abihu, who offered strange fire before the Lord. It teaches us about the importance of reverence, obedience, and the dangers of presumption in our worship of God.
