“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. So fire went out from the Lord and devoured them, and they died before the Lord” (Leviticus 10:1-2).
Perhaps this passage is offensive to our modern sensibilities. We ask, does the punishment really fit the crime? Is God acting justly in killing these two priests for their actions? Let us consider the matter.
First, what is meant by the phrase, “and offered profane fire before the Lord”? The word profane comes from a Hebrew word that is defined by Strong: to turn aside (especially for lodging); hence to be a foreigner, strange, profane. An interesting word, it would describe someone who has entered a foreign country, and resides there. He does not belong, he is not supposed to be there. Perhaps his presence is even illegal.
In our context, it would reference a turning aside from the expected fire that typically would be used — fire that would be appropriate, or set apart for that purpose. To use a different fire would be “strange” or “profane.” In using the word English “profane” to describe the fire in the NKJV, the intent is to contrast it with fire that is set apart for the purpose, or sanctified. The significance of this is found contextually in the passage.
It is difficult to know exactly the nature of Nadab and Abihu’s disobedience. In the previous chapter, a burnt offering was made by Aaron for himself and the people (9:7). When Aaron presented the sin offering before the Lord for the people, “fire came out from before the Lord and consumed the burnt offering and the fat on the altar” (9:24). It might be that the fire which came from the Lord is the fire that God had commanded Nadab and Abihu to put in their censer. Regardless, the text states that the fire they offered was fire that “He had not commanded them” (10:1). What they did was presumptive. They acted without Divine authority.
We are told in verse 3 that in the aftermath of their divine execution, Moses spoke to their father Aaron. “This is what the Lord spoke, saying: ‘By those who come near Me I must be regarded as holy; and before all the people I must be glorified.’” These words were sufficient to preempt any complaint by Aaron. “So Aaron held his peace.”
Why did God execute the two men? What was their actual crime? They did not regard God as holy. They did not glorify Him. And that, dear friend, is a crime worthy of death. It was then, and it is today.
This is why the fire was profane. God had sanctified one fire, and they had substituted a common fire in its place, one that God had not commanded them. In disregarding God’s law, they had shown great disrespect for Him. They had not regarded Him as holy. They had treated Him as if He was common. They had not glorified Him.
Does God expect anything less from us today? Consider these words. “Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, ‘Be holy, for I am holy’” (1 Peter 1:13-16).
In every aspect of our lives we must limit ourselves to what God has commanded. To do anything less is to fail to regard Him as holy, or to glorify Him.
To see The Patternists Page on Facebook, click here, and Like!
