Meeting God in Worship Leviticus 10:1-11

Profane Fire Before the Lord Leviticus 10:1a Leslie G. Thomas said the word translated “profane” means “foreign to that which God had spoken” Exodus 30:1-10 gives particular instructions regarding the altar of incense Verse 9 gives a clear warning, “You shall not offer strange incense on it, or a burnt offering, or a grain offering; nor shall you pour a drink offering on it.”

Which He Had Not Commanded Them Leviticus 10:1b Some will excuse their worship practices by saying God did not say not to do it. “We must learn to respect his silence when he reveals his will to us” (Thomas) 2 John 9 “Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son.”

Fire Went Out from the Lord Leviticus 10:2 “Every part of the religion of God is Divine. He alone knew what he designed by its rites and ceremonies, for that which they prefigured—the whole economy of redemption by Christ—was conceived in his own mind, and was out of the reach of human wisdom and conjecture. He therefore who altered any part of this representative system, who omitted or added any thing, assumed a prerogative which belonged to God alone, and was certainly guilty of a very high offence against the wisdom, justice, and righteousness of his Maker. This appears to have been the sin of Nadab and Abihu, and this at once shows the reason why they were so severely punished” (Adam Clarke).

The Danger of Adding to or Taking Away from God’s Word God issued stern warnings against adding to or taking away from his word. Deuteronomy 4:1-4 references the events at Baal Peor (Numbers 25:1-9) Proverbs 30:5-6 Revelation 22:18-19

God Must be Glorified Leviticus 10:3 God demands that those coming before him in worship must have the proper respect. It was this very sin which caused Moses and Aaron to be unable to enter the promised land (Numbers 20:1-12, especially 10-12).

The Danger of Alcohol Leviticus 10:8-11 These verses cause us to wonder if Nadab and Abihu had been drinking intoxicating drinks when they committed their sin. Ephesians 5:15-18 serves as a similar warning to God’s people today.

The Spirit Can Show the Way Fools hear the sound of Jesus' voice but do not do the things he says (Matthew 7:24-27). Even Christians must live carefully, or accurately, so as to obey the Lord's commandments and be considered wise (Ephesians 5:15). Therefore, Paul urged members of the church to make the most of the time they had, especially since the time in which he wrote was so full of wickedness (Ephesians 5:16).

The Spirit Can Show the Way Paul pleaded for the brethren to be understanding ones who hear the Lord and try to incorporate what he says into their lives (Ephesians 5:17; Mt. 13:18-23, esp. 19 and 23; Job 28:28; Proverbs 9:10). Because Paul uses a linear verb, it would be more accurate to translate, "be not being drunk," or, "do not find yourself in the process of being intoxicated." Drunkenness leads to excess, or riot, which is translated "dissipation" and means a complete lack of control. Instead of being filled with intoxicating liquids, Paul would have the saints be filled with the Spirit. While alcohol is merely a temporary escape, the Spirit shows one the means of overcoming through the word (5:18).