An Outline for Tragedy at the Tabernacle: Nadab and Abihu
Introduction: In the immediate context, Israel had left Egypt and they were now heading towards the Promised Land. The Law was now in effect, the Tabernacle was built, and Aaron plus his four sons had been formally appointed to the priesthood. But soon after all the good, a tragedy struck: Aaron’s two oldest sons died for a very serious sin.
Text, Leviticus 10:1-7, KJV: 1 And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the LORD, which he commanded them not. 2 And there went out fire from the LORD, and devoured them, and they died before the LORD. 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.
4 And Moses called Mishael and Elzaphan, the sons of Uzziel the uncle of Aaron, and said unto them, Come near, carry your brethren from before the sanctuary out of the camp. 5 So they went near, and carried them in their coats out of the camp; as Moses had said. 6 And Moses said unto Aaron, and unto Eleazar and unto Ithamar, his sons, Uncover not your heads, neither rend your clothes; lest ye die, and lest wrath come upon all the people: but let your brethren, the whole house of Israel, bewail the burning which the LORD hath kindled. 7 And ye shall not go out from the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, lest ye die: for the anointing oil of the LORD is upon you. And they did according to the word of Moses.
1 The Tabernacle Was Completed
--The Law of Moses had three major components: the Tabernacle itself, where the various items were kept and maintained (including the Ark of the Covenant); the offerings; and the priests with their duties (not to oversimplify things).
--The LORD had told Moses all the details of how the Tabernacle was to be constructed. The LORD mentioned “patterns” several times in reference to various articles.
--In Exodus 25 the LORD had told Moses to give Israel the opportunity to provide materials of many different kinds to help build the Tabernacle. The response: overwhelming (Ex. 36: 5-7)!
--Now the Tabernacle was complete and ready for the next step.
2 The Tabernacle was Consecrated
--Leviticus 8 and 9 have details about the various offerings for the people and the priests. Then in Lev 9, Aaron and his four sons were officially consecrated for their work as priests to the LORD.
--Seal of approval: fire from the LORD and consumed all the offering and the fat. The people shouted, and fell on their faces!
3 The Tragedy and the Consequences
--After all the prescribed offerings were complete (Lev 9), Nadab and Abihu took “strange fire” mixed with incense, then offered it before the LORD. This was problematic in many ways; commentaries from Charles Ellicott, Albert Barnes and others give more details. Use this link, https://biblehub.com/kjv/leviticus/10.htm, then click COMMENT and find several explanations.
--The LORD immediately sent His own fire, which struck these two dead on the spot. Their bodies didn’t seem to be burned or damaged in any way, nor their clothing.
--Two of their cousins carried the two priests, still in their priestly attire, out to a burial site.
--In verses 6-7, Moses gave a number of commands to Aaron and his two remaining sons.
--The tragedy seems to be that two men took it upon themselves to do something their own way, even when there were clear instructions from the LORD Who expected things done His way. Nadab and Abihu learned a severe lesson.
Conclusion
This outline is admittedly brief, taking a single incident at the Tabernacle. Even so, the LORD expected worship to be done His way, especially in view of all He had done for Israel.
Someone once remarked, “Anyone who plays games with God never wins,”
Scripture quotation taken from the King James Version of the Bible (KJV)
