Lessons from the Death of Nadab and Abihu Leviticus 10:1-20 Lessons from the Death of Nadab and Abihu

The O.T. is of Great Value Romans 15:4 “For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.” (NKJV) 1Corinthians 10:11 “Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come. 12 Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.” (NKJV)

The Book of Leviticus is of Great Value The Greek title in the Septuagint is a word that means, “That Which Pertains to the Levites”. This book showed God’s people how to worship, serve, and obey a Holy God. A better understanding of Leviticus enables the Christian to better understand the book of Hebrews. There are lessons here for our learning and admonition.

Lessons from the Death of Nadab and Abihu What happened to them can provide valuable lessons for us today if we give heed. What happened to them and the lessons we can apply will serve as the foundation for our study.

The situation that led to their actions… The consecration of Aaron and his sons as priests just been completed (chapter 8). In chapter 9, the worship is set in order with… Aaron begins his work on the 8th day (Lev. 9:1-24). Then you have the sin offering and burnt offering for Aaron himself (Lev. 9:8-14). The sacrifices for the people (Lev. 9:15-21). Lev. 9:22-24, Aaron blesses the people, Moses & Aaron into tabernacle and then bless the people together, then fire from before the Lord to consume sacrifices.

The Fire that was offered by Nadab and Abihu… Leviticus 10:1 “Then Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, each took his censer and put fire in it, put incense on it, and offered profane fire before the Lord, which He had not commanded them.” (NKJV) The King James Version, the American Standard Version, and the New American Standard Bible render it as a "strange" fire. Leviticus 10:1 “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.” (ESV)

The Fire that was offered by Nadab and Abihu… Leviticus 10:2 “So fire went out from the Lord and devoured them, and they died before the Lord.” (NKJV) Compare with Leviticus 9:24 Different explanations have been given as to why God was displeased, but look to the end of verse 1 in your Bible!

Moses’ explanation for what happened… Leviticus 10:3 “Then Moses said unto Aaron, This is it that the LORD spake, saying, I will be sanctified in them that come nigh me, and before all the people I will be glorified. And Aaron held his peace.” (KJV) Leviticus 10:3 “Then Moses said unto Aaron, This is it that Jehovah spake, saying, I will be sanctified in them that come nigh me, and before all the people I will be glorified. And Aaron held his peace.” (ASV) Leviticus 10:3 “Then Moses said to Aaron, “This is what the Lord has said, ‘Among those who are near me I will be sanctified, and before all the people I will be glorified.’ ” And Aaron held his peace.” (ESV)

“Holy or Sanctified”, Lev 10:3 קדשׁ qâdash *BDB Definition: 1) to consecrate, sanctify, prepare, dedicate, be hallowed, be holy, be sanctified, be separate 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to be set apart, be consecrated 1a2) to be hallowed 1a3) consecrated, tabooed (Brown-Driver-Briggs’ Hebrew Definitions)

Moses’ explanation for what happened… Leviticus 10:3 “Then Moses said unto Aaron, This is it that the LORD spake, saying, I will be sanctified in them that come nigh me, and before all the people I will be glorified. And Aaron held his peace.” (KJV) Leviticus 10:3 “Then Moses said unto Aaron, This is it that Jehovah spake, saying, I will be sanctified in them that come nigh me, and before all the people I will be glorified. And Aaron held his peace.” (ASV) Leviticus 10:3 “Then Moses said to Aaron, “This is what the Lord has said, ‘Among those who are near me I will be sanctified, and before all the people I will be glorified.’ ” And Aaron held his peace.” (ESV)

“Glorified”, Lev 10:3 H3513 כּבד כּבד kâbad kâbêd kaw-bad, kaw-bade' A primitive root; to be heavy, that is, in a bad sense (burdensome, severe, dull) or in a good sense (numerous, rich, honorable); causatively to make weighty (in the same two senses): - abounding with, more grievously afflict, boast, be chargeable, X be dim, glorify, be (make) glorious (things), glory, (very) great, be grievous, harden, be (make) heavy, be heavier, lay heavily, (bring to, come to, do, get, be had in) honour (self), (be) honourable (man), lade, X more be laid, make self many, nobles, prevail, promote (to honour), be rich, be (go) sore, stop. -STRONG’S

Further instructions from Moses… Leviticus 10:4-5, Nadab and Abihu’s bodies were to be removed outside the camp. Leviticus 10:6-7, Moses gives Aaron and his other two sons strict instructions about how they were to show their grief.

Lessons to be learned from this occurrence… When we approach God in worship, we must only do what He has commanded. How can man know what God desires as acceptable worship? Isaiah 55:8-11, The Lord’s ways are not our ways. Ephesians 5:19 “to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord” Colossians 3:16 “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”

Can we do now what God approved of in times past? In Horeb, God told Moses to strike the rock so as to obtain water - Exodus 17:6 Later, in a similar circumstance (this time in Kadesh), God told Moses to speak to the rock - Numbers 20:8 When Moses did the second time what God said to do the first time... He failed to "hallow" God - Numbers 20:11-12 And as a result he lost the right to enter the Promised Land - Numbers 20:12; Deuteronomy 32:51

Lessons to be learned from this occurrence… Serving the Lord comes before serving the family, Leviticus 10:6-7, Matthew 10:34-37, Luke 9:59- 62, Luke 14:33.

Conclusion… Let us not think that “we are above” growing complacent in our service to God Let us regard Him as Holy and glorify Him as He deserves... By doing exactly as He commands We need to be reminded of the events like that which happened to Nadab and Abihu... To humble us in the presence of God. And to remind us of how serious of a thing it is to serve God.  May the example of Nadab and Abihu encourage us to do that which honors God!

Lessons from the Death of Nadab and Abihu Leviticus 10:1-20 Lessons from the Death of Nadab and Abihu