The book of Leviticus is predominantly a book of laws and ordinances given to Israel at Mount Sinai, which makes the two narrative (or story) sections of the book (in chapters 8-10 and chapter 24) really stand out as unique in the setting of the whole book. One event that God chose to specifically include was the unauthorized worship of Nadab and Abihu. They
offered profane fire before the Lord, which He had not commanded them. So fire went out from the Lord and devoured them”
(Lev. 10:1-2). This was such a major event (although it encompasses only three verses) that Old Testament writers referenced it at least four more times (Lev. 16:1; Num. 3:4; 26:61; 1 Chron. 24:2).
Dear Nadab and Abihu, why were you devoured by fire? Why did you die before the Lord? The only answer they could give:
We offered unauthorized fire in our worship to God.”
Does it matter how we worship our God? Does it matter if we follow His authorized instructions or do our own thing that seems right to us? Ask Nadab and Abihu.
