Devotion 3.32/133: Worship Numbers 3.234

Reading Numbers 3, we note that two of Aaron’s children have died: his oldest two sons “fell dead before the LORD when they made an offering with unauthorized fire before Him in the Desert of Sinai. They had no sons; so only Eleazar and Ithamar served as priests during the lifetime of their father Aaron” (Num 3:3,4; cf. Lev.10:1).

Just as the whole generation who left Egypt will die in their sins before they enter the Promised Land (except Joshua and Caleb), two of Aaron’s children including his first-born son die here before the LORD.

Scholar Ronald B. Allen (The Expositors Bible Commentary, Version 4.0.2) comments on this passage: “‘Unauthorized fire’ translates a Hebrew expression that is seemingly deliberately obscure, as though the narrator finds the very concept to be distasteful... The essential issue here is that Nadab and Abihu were using fire that the Lord had not commanded (Lev 10:1). The pain of the account is strengthened by its brevity and mystery. We are left at a loss to explain their motivation, just as we do not know the precise form of their error. Were they rebellious or presumptuous? Were they careless or ignorant? Or was their sin some combination of these and other things? Because of the prohibition of wine and beer among the priests in their priestly service in Leviticus 10:8-11, it may be inferred that these sons of Aaron had committed their offence against God while in a drunken state.” But we do not know.

Whatever their sin – and we can only guess the specifics of it – the Lord chose him for a special task: Aaron’s oldest son, Nadab, was assumed heir to the High Priesthood. He was supposed to lead the Israelites in worship and service to the LORD. He was a significant man in a significant position to lead others in serving God. He was potentially even more in power, authority, responsibility, than many famous church leaders in our world today. He however fell short and he fell dead. And it may not have been an act of outward rebellion as much as careless neglect of the LORD.

This should be a warning to us. He fell short and he fell dead while coming before the LORD for worship. How do we come before the LORD? Are we ever rebellious or presumptuous, careless or ignorant or do we ever possess a combination of these in our worship? Are we actually worshiping as we sing in church? Are we worshiping as we listen to the Scriptures and the sermon on Sunday morning? Are we worshiping as we pray together at prayer meetings or in church? Do we love the Lord our God with our whole heart, soul, and strength (Deut 6:5) or are we sometimes careless or half-hearted in our worship? How can we prepare ourselves so that we fully worship the Lord together?

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