Leviticus 10:1–2 (ESV): “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. 2 And fire came out from before the Lord and consumed them, and they died before the Lord.”
Worship is no trivial matter. We should be careful not to make our gatherings profane before God with fleshly endeavors that cannot please Him (Rom 8:8). Our worship must be in Spirit and truth (Jn 4:23-24). This is acceptable worship to God!
After instructing Moses about sin offerings, Aaron and his sons were to make a series of them before the Lord. Fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering. When Nadab and Abihu saw this they responded in the flesh by offering unauthorized fire before the Lord. Many scholars believe they entered the Holy of Holies to make an unauthorized offering before God (Lev 16:1-2). What we know is that no unauthorized offering will be accepted by God (Exo 30:9). Aaron’s sons paid the price for stepping out in the flesh and not keeping their worship holy before God (Ps 29:2). They were consumed by the same fire they were mesmerized by.
How do you worship God? Is it through your ideas of what worship should be or do you look to the Word of God to instruct you? Jesus told the woman at the well that she and her countrymen (Samaritans) worship what they do not know (Jn 4:22). Ananias and Sapphira attempted to worship in falsehood and were struck down. We are not free to worship God however we want. True worshippers MUST worship the Father in Spirit and truth (Jn 4:23). Worship God this way!
Father, we thank You that You tell us how to worship You. May we come into Your presence in a manner pleasing to You. Protect us from offering authorized fire in our hearts we pray in Jesus' name, Amen.
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