Unauthorized Fire

Passage: Leviticus 10

No sooner does God complete his instructions for sacrifices and offerings than things go terribly wrong. The events of Leviticus 10 eerily echo those of Exodus 32. In that passage Moses is receiving the 10 Commandments on Mt. Sinai as the Israelites are violating the commandments in the camp below. God’s judgment against the Israelites’ foray into alternative religion is immediate and severe. God doesn’t tolerate religious “swinging”. God is a jealous God.

In Leviticus 9 Aaron, the High Priest, offers the very first sin and burnt offerings on behalf of God’s people. At this first sacrifice the very fire of God consumes what has been offered. God’s approval and God’s power are demonstrated equally.

Immediately following, Aaron’s eldest sons also prepare an offering. However, we’re told, the fire they offer is “unauthorized.” This could mean that the vessels in which they prepare the fire aren’t part of the tabernacle set; it could mean that the coals they collect are from some fire other than that of the altar; it could refer to the incense they mix with the smoke of their offering. Regardless, Nadab and Abihu have ignored the rules and materials God carefully prescribed moments earlier. They’ve offered the sacrifice their own way.

This is what leads to their untimely and sensational demise. We’re told, “Fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed them.” We can’t help wondering what the big deal is. Yes, these young priests introduce a variation on God’s instructions for the sacrifice, but isn’t an offering an offering? Why is God’s response so severe?

It goes back to the business of mixing religions. The Israelites are surrounded by nations who have their own rituals and sacrifices. These rituals include burning incense. They also include child sacrifice, and a host of other reprehensible acts. And each of the pagan rituals is designed to do the same thing: manipulate the gods. Every other nation engages in religious behavior intended to appeal to the gods’ appetites or appease the gods’ anger. The rituals and sacrifices themselves are human initiated and human controlled. The one true God – the God of the Israelites – introduces a system of sacrifice that God alone initiates and controls. God insists that his priests do it precisely according to his instructions. Why? Because the religion of the Israelites isn’t about the people reaching out and grabbing hold of God. It’s not about the people calling God down and making demands. The religion of the Israelites is about God reaching out to his people; about God calling the shots.

When Nadab and Abihu fill their own censers with coals from some cooking fire, and then add their own incense to burn before God’s presence, they take religion into their own hands. They try to take control of the ritual, thereby dictating when and how God should respond to his people. They, perhaps unwittingly, treat God like an idol.

We no longer worship God according to a regimented schedule or set of rituals. We no longer offer sacrifices at a prescribed place and time. And we no longer need to approach God with fear. Why? The answer is found in this passage:

…Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Our religion is still one that God initiates and controls. We can’t make God work on our terms or do what we want. Our God is still a jealous God. We can’t divide our loyalties or introduce things we idolize into our worship services. Our God is still a God who reaches out to us. God authorizes us, once and for all, to approach his throne of grace.