We all know the expression “to do something by the book.” To do something “by the book” means to do a task according to standard operating procedures. To follow the set rules and guidelines. When doing something “by the book,’ there is no leeway for variation of any kind. One of those times is when we enter the presence of the Living God. We come before the Living God on his terms, not ours. In Leviticus 10, we encounter two priests who do not do things by the book, and it is costly. Leviticus 10:1-2 “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. And fire came out from before the LORD and consumed them, and they died before the LORD.” Nadab and Abihu were the two oldest sons of Aaron, the first high priest. They were highly respected and honored in Israel as the sons of the high priest. They were chosen by God to be leaders in the priesthood of Israel. They were charged with offering sacrifices in the tabernacle (Lev. 9). These were men who were authorized with overseeing the worship of Yahweh. They were men that God had placed in a high position of authority and responsibility. So what did they do wrong? They “offered unauthorized fire before the LORD, which he had not commanded them.” Some translations say “strange fire.” The Hebrew speaks of something that is “strange” or “profane.” Whatever this “unauthorized fire…” was, one thing is crystal clear. They approached God in an aberrant manner. They made an offering in a way other than what God prescribed. Throughout the instructions for the priests in Lev. 8-9, there is a common refrain: “…as the LORD had commanded…” Now, Nadab and Abihu offer “unauthorized fire before the LORD, which he had not commanded them.” They drew near to God in a way other than what was prescribed in his word, and because they did not do things “by the book,” they were struck down on the spot. So the obvious question that arises is this one: Was God fair and just in striking down Nadab and Abihu? Absolutely! God’s holiness was profaned, and it was profaned by the priests. In judging Nadab and Abihu for their “unauthorized fire,” God was making a point to all the other priests who would serve in His tabernacle, and later, in his temple. And he’s making a point to us, as well. Since this was the first time sacrifices were being offered on the altar, when Aaron’s sons were disobedient and profaned God’s worship, God was not going to allow their disobedience to set a precedent for future disregard of His Law. God wants us to know that He is serious when it comes to His honor and glory. Isaiah 42:8 “I am the LORD; that is my name; my glory I give to no other, nor my praise to carved idols.” Once we become aware of the holiness of God, we will never ask if anything God does is unfair or unjust. God’s name is qualified by the adjective “holy” in the Old Testament more often than all other attributes. But the concept of God’s holiness is largely lost on the church today. The “god” which the vast majority of professing Christians worship is looked upon very much like an indulgent old man. He doesn’t really approve of our sin, but he leniently and tolerantly winks at our “indiscretions.” He is a God of love, which is true. But He is also a just and righteous God. God’s holiness is clearly manifested at the Cross. The crucifixion of Jesus displays God’s infinite holiness, and His complete abhorrence of sin. Our sin met the wrath of God when Jesus suffered and died on the cross. Yet, many read a story like Leviticus 10, and they are shocked, even outraged. They find this story “offensive,” to use today’s buzzword. But God gave warning. He gave warning because He wanted His people to live, not die. God renders mercy or He renders justice, but God never renders injustice. He is absolutely incapable of injustice. We can continue to object all we want, but if we do, it shows we do not know who God is. That’s probably the biggest problem in the church today: the church no longer knows who God is. He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love (Exod. 34:6), but above all things, He is holy. He is not the warm, fuzzy softy as many seem to view him today. And He is certainly not our cosmic bellhop, whose only agenda is to give us health, wealth, and our “best life now.” If this passage angers us, the problem lies with us, not with God. If this passage angers us, it’s because we have forgotten who God is. When the church is no longer awed, respectful, and fearful of God’s holiness, the church is in danger of falling into great peril. God knows our hearts. Certainly, there is grace and forgiveness and mercy for those who belong to Him, but God wants us to know that He is serious when it comes to His worship, honor and glory. Nadab and Abihu were struck down because they approached God in an aberrant manner. They did not worship Him according to His word. When we come to worship God, we must worship Him in the manner He prescribes. God gives us the elements for proper worship in His word. He has given man a measure of liberty in how these elements are implemented, but we worship God on His terms, not on ours. First of all, we must come in the right heart and with the right attitude. Christ commanded that true worshipers worship in spirit and in truth (John 4:24). It must originate from within, from the heart. It must be sincere, motivated by our love for God. And it must be founded upon God’s truth. Our worship must conform to the revelation of God in Scripture. It must be informed by who God is. Worship is not meant to be formed by what feels good, but by the light of what’s true according to Scripture. To worship inconsistently with what is revealed to us in Scripture ultimately degenerates into idolatry. Too much of today’s worship is really nothing more than man-centered entertainment. Many of the elements of worship God gives in His word are absent, especially prayer. And this is not a condemnation of contemporary worship. Contemporary worship is fine, if it is biblical worship! But much of it is nothing but entertainment meant to entertain man’s desires. Worship is not about man’s entertainment. It is about God’s glory! Nadab and Abihu drew near to God in an aberrant, unacceptable manner that was not in accordance with God’s word. In place of God’s word, they placed self-will and personal fancy, and the LORD struck them down on the spot. We need to be very careful when we enter God’s presence for worship. Just because we are on this side of the cross doesn’t mean we can be flippant in worship. We have a tendency to be way too casual with God. We must take every bit as much care as the Old Testament believers. We are to worship God with a wholehearted devotion of heart, mind, and will. And in view of God’s mercy, worship should be our natural and immediate response. We worship God with reverence and humility. Worship is about God’s glory, not man’s entertainment. I often wonder how much of today’s worship God considers to be “strange fire?”
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Do Not Be Surprised