No Strange Fire Before the LORD!

Nadab and Abihu were sons of Aaron, who had jut been consecrated as the high priest of Israel. And Aaron’s sons had just been consecrated as priests:

Adonai said to Moshe,

“Take Aharon and his sons with him, the garments, the anointing oil, the bull for the sin offering, the two rams and the basket of matzah; and assemble the entire community at the entrance to the tent of meeting.“

Moshe did as Adonai ordered him, and the community was assembled at the entrance to the tent of meeting. Moshe said to the community, “This is what Adonai has ordered to be done.” Moshe brought Aharon and his sons, washed them with water, put the tunic on him, wrapped the sash around him, clothed him with the robe, put the ritual vest on him, wrapped around him the decorated belt and fastened the vest to him with it. He put the breastplate on him, and on the breastplate he put the urim and tumim. He set the turban on his head, and on the front of the turban he affixed the gold plate, the holy ornament, as Adonai had ordered Moshe. Then Moshe took the anointing oil and anointed the tabernacle and everything in it, thus consecrating them. He sprinkled some on the altar seven times, anointing the altar with all its utensils and the basin with its base, to consecrate them. He poured some of the anointing oil on Aharon’s head and anointed him, to consecrate him. Moshe brought Aharon’s sons, clothed them with tunics, wrapped sashes on them and put headgear on them, as Adonai had ordered Moshe.

Leviticus 8:1-13 CJB

“You are not to go out from the entrance to the tent of meeting for seven days, until the days of your consecration are over; since Adonai will be consecrating you for seven days. He ordered done what has been done today, in order to make atonement for you. You are to remain at the entrance to the tent of meeting day and night for seven days, thereby obeying what Adonai ordered done, so that you may not die. For this is what I was ordered.” Aharon and his sons did all the things which Adonai ordered through Moshe.

Leviticus 8:33-36 CJB

And they were just beginning to perform the duties of their office, as they had just completed offering the sin offering for Aaron, the burnt offering, and the goat offering for the sin of the children of Israel – all of this on the eighth day, the day after their seven-day consecration period ended. Then, the LORD’s glory appeared to all the people, and fire came forth and consumed the burnt offering and fat on the altar:

Aharon raised his hands toward the people, blessed them and came down from offering the sin offering, the burnt offering and the peace offerings. Moshe and Aharon entered the tent of meeting, came out and blessed the people. Then the glory of Adonai appeared to all the people! Fire came forth from the presence of Adonai, consuming the burnt offering and the fat on the altar. When all the people saw it, they shouted and fell on their faces.

Leviticus 9:22-24 CJB

And yet, God slew Nadab and Abihu when they offered incense that He had not commanded them to:

But Nadav and Avihu, sons of Aharon, each took his censer, put fire in it, laid incense on it, and offered unauthorized fire before Adonai, something he had not ordered them to do. At this, fire came forth from the presence of Adonai and consumed them, so that they died in the presence of Adonai. Moshe said to Aharon, This is what Adonai said:

“Through those who are near me I will be consecrated, and before all the people I will be glorified.“

Aharon kept silent.

Leviticus 10:1-3 CJB

In this season, let us be sober-minded and remember His commandments. For, Yeshua the Messiah is the same yesterday, today and forever. (Hebrews 13:8 CJB) Amen.