'Aaron’s sons Nadab and Abihu took their censers, put fire in them and added incense; and they offered unauthorized fire before the Lord , contrary to his command. '
Leviticus 10:1
When God sent fire down on the offering brought by Moses and Aaron, it was a glorious moment. The people fell on their faces and worshiped God. But later, Nadab and Abihu brought another kind of fire, not approved by God. They may have been drunk, but clearly, they were irreverent and careless and did not follow God’s instructions.
And God destroyed them. This may seem harsh to us, but it is a reminder that God holds those called to leadership to a very high standard. This is why James writes, “Let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment” (James 3:1).
It is not for us to pick and choose what we like or don’t like from the Bible. Nor should we substitute human effort or godless compromise in the place of the real fire of the Holy Spirit. There is a right way to do God’s work.
Taken from Start! The Bible for New Believers
Leviticus 10:1
When God sent fire down on the offering brought by Moses and Aaron, it was a glorious moment. The people fell on their faces and worshiped God. But later, Nadab and Abihu brought another kind of fire, not approved by God. They may have been drunk, but clearly, they were irreverent and careless and did not follow God’s instructions.
And God destroyed them. This may seem harsh to us, but it is a reminder that God holds those called to leadership to a very high standard. This is why James writes, “Let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment” (James 3:1).
It is not for us to pick and choose what we like or don’t like from the Bible. Nor should we substitute human effort or godless compromise in the place of the real fire of the Holy Spirit. There is a right way to do God’s work.
Taken from Start! The Bible for New Believers
