“But Nadab and Abihu died before the LORD when they offered unauthorized fire before the LORD in the wilderness of Sinai” (Numbers 3:4a, ESV)
I have heard it said there is a right way, a wrong way, and my way to do anything. It is a rather confusing statement. For how could there be three ways to do something if there is only a right way and a wrong way. Anyway, in the Bible there is the Lord’s way and the wrong way to do things. We often see human expediency used, what I would call the “my way,” which usually results in a disaster. We have the example of this in David’s first attempt to take the ark into Jerusalem, where he put the ark on a new oxcart in violation to the specific instructions of the Lord.
The verse here in Numbers tells us that Nadab and Abihu offered unauthorized fire before the Lord and because of this they died. What was this act? We find more about this when we look at Leviticus 10:1-3.
” Now Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, each took his censer and put fire in it and laid incense on it and offered unauthorized fire before the Lord, which he had not commanded them.” (Leviticus 10:1, ESV)
From this verse we see the big problem, Nadab and Abihu offered fire, incense, contrary to the Lord’s command. While we do not know their exact violation, there were several possibilities. 1) They may have attempted to perform the duties specifically restricted to the high priest by entering the holiest place to offer incense. 2) They may have put common fire into their incense censers rather than that from the altar fire (Exodus 30:7-9). 3) They may have offered incense at the wrong time of day (Leviticus 16:12-13). 4) They may have partaken of wine or strong drink which was specifically forbidden for the priests (Leviticus 10:9).
Though we do not know their exact violation, we do know that their actions demonstrated a wanton irreverence for the Lord. While we also do not know the motivations for their actions, we do have two connected principles. There is a right way and wrong way to do everything, and we should do everything with reverence.
As believers, we need to begin each day with a desire to honor the Lord. When we do, we will naturally seek to do things in accordance with His Word and with reverence.
Renewing the Heart 