What did Nadab and Abihu do that was so wrong?

just-me · Jun 2, 2013

Nadab & Abihu Leviticus 10:1 and 2

Exodus 19:22-25 One of the first things instituted, just before the 10 commandments were given, was that the priesthood should be ‘sanctified’ *(Hebrew qadash) meaning to be clean and separated from darkness into the light entering into a new structure. This would be done by ‘shin’, the 20[SUP]th[/SUP] letter of the Hebrew alphabet, representing the molar with three roots, I think as relating to the Trinity ‘Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.’ It is also mentioned that Moses and Aaron were the only two that God chose to come up the mountain in the Sinai desert. Even Aaron’s sons were not allowed. The four sons of Aaron were privy to all that happened to this point for in Exodus 6:20-23 we see the genealogy of Aaron and his sons. So Nadab, and Abihu knew that God had picked their father via Moses to be the high priest of Israel.
In Exodus 30:7 & 8 we read (Nadab and Abihu understood also) that Aaron was chosen by God to be the one to burn incense, and the recipe for the incense was not to be different or duplicated according to Exodus 30:34-38. Note in verse 7 and verse 36 of this chapter that God said, “Where I will meet thee.” This, to me, is a clear indication that the burning of incense is representative of prayer in every case. Also God says in verse 36 “it shall be unto you most holy.” Now look into the time of prayer that we read Luke 1:10 relating it to the burning of incense. (Psalm 141:2, Acts 3:1, Acts 10:3 and 30)
If what I present to you is true, it is also interesting to note that Jesus was on the cross of Calvary between the times that the high priest was to offer this incense for burning, and the smoke being relative to prayers. (Malachi 1:11, Mark 15:25, Mark 15:34-38, Acts 2:15-18)
So as the story of Nadab and Abihu continues, we can clearly see that these two knew what the Lord required, but had not received instructions as to what not to do. There is a spiritual significance to this that I will address later

just-me · Jun 2, 2013

So the question at this point is “what is the significance of the 8[SUP]th[/SUP] day?” (Leviticus 9:1) Aaron and his sons, by the eighth day, had been already been consecrated i.e. sanctified. *(Hebrew word qadash defined previously Exodus 30:30) This 8[SUP]th[/SUP] day (our Sunday, for all intents and purposes) was the beginning of the priest’s ministry as God had designed through Moses, him also being a Levite. Knowing that Jesus is now the High Priest, and being from a different tribe by the lineage of David from the tribe of Judah, (Hebrews 7:11-16) The answer to when this change took place is found in Luke 9:28-36. We see here that Moses from the tribe of Levi, with the prophet Elias, is transferring the responsibility of judgment and priestly work to Christ Jesus.
So then to answer a question for you that might be in your head at this moment, one might ask, ‘what does incense have to do with all this?’ We have to look into the Hebrew language once again to see how they spelled the word ‘incense.’ (qetoreth pronounced Ket-o-reth) reading right to left as that language is, we see that the last letter in this word is Tav, the Greek and Latin letter T, cross sticks, a mark, sign, signal, and or monument. It is the very shape of the smearing of the blood over the doorposts at the first Passover in Exodus chapter 12. So the day after He was on the mount of transfiguration, Jesus spends the night in Bethany on day 9, which is our Monday. (John 12:1) Then on the 10[SUP]th[/SUP] day He travels to Jerusalem, the same day Moses speaks to the children of Israel to take a lamb without blemish and hold it until day 14. (John 12:12, Exodus 12:3-6) Without defining the sequence of events into a long exposé, we can use the calendar dated AD31 (for it can be found that Jesus was born in 2 or 3 BC) and know that the 14[SUP]th[/SUP] day of Passover is the exact day Jesus was crucified and buried before the annual Sabbath on day 15. (the weekly Sabbath being day 17) This is certainly not a coincidence!
There was something far more wrong than these two sons of Aaron possibly drunk or anything else that was mentioned by God after they were nothing but a pile of ashes. God always warns of coming judgment because of His longsuffering, mercy, and grace. Nadab and Abihu were not warned about strange fire, only strange incense up to that point. So now we see that the Bible doesn’t say the Nadab and Abihu offered strange incense, it clearly says that they offered strange fire. (Exodus 30:9) They were told what to do, but they were not told what not to do. I’ll offer some scripture to put this in proper perspective. ”Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.” (Galatians 3:19 (KJV)

just-me · Jun 2, 2013

You can see then that it wasn’t that they were doing something that they were told not to do; they were killed with God’s fire because they did more than what they were told to do. They were to follow the directives that they had heard Moses tell their Dad.
1.Aaron’s sons knew that their dad had been chosen by God to be the one to burn incense before the mercy seat. No one else had been ordained to do that. Notice that the incense was stored before the testimony where God would meet Moses, so in order for Nadab and Abihu to get the incense they would have had to be very close to the veil in the holy place, just outside where the Ark of the Covenant rested. (Exodus 30:7 and 36 Exodus 40:12,17, 25-27)

2. Aaron’s sons knew if there was no blood sprinkled next to the veil that they were supposed to eat the flesh. It was clear if they were to completely burn the offering that the blood had been sprinkled next to the veil. (Leviticus 6:24-30)

3. Aaron’s sons knew all sin offerings and trespass offerings for atonement made by offering a goat or a lamb belonged to the priests that offered it and was to be eaten in the Holy Place to bear the iniquity of the person that offered it. (Leviticus 4:22-35 and Leviticus 7:7)

4. No order had yet been given for the priests to use a censer for burning incense. The first order of where to get the fire for the burning was given later in Leviticus 16:11-14 and the incense was to be burned inside the veil.

5. Aaron made the first mistake when he offered his sin offering (a calf or bull, not a goat or sheep) by not sprinkling the blood of his sacrifice seven times on the veil of the holy place and also failing to anoint the horns of the altar for incense with the blood. (Leviticus 4:1-12 and 21 compared with Leviticus 9:8-11) It would be logical to surmise that a calf in these scriptures is actually a young bull.

6. There is no mention salt being used as seasoning, or of frankincense which was to be completely burned on the altar for the meat/meal/grain offering in Leviticus 9:17. The frankincense was to be offered and completely burned according to Leviticus 2:13 clearly says that salt was supposed to be used in a meat offering, and never to be lacking. Leviticus 6:14-16. The only time that fine flour was wholly burnt on the later without salt, oil, or frankincense was when it was used as a sin offering. (Leviticus 5:1)

4enlightment · Jun 2, 2013

The eighth day is to represent the new beginning. After all of this is done, everyone that has been purified by the Blood will be entering into a new life.

jerusalem · Jun 2, 2013

these 2 men tried to take a step backward into the pagan system they had been brought out of. worshipping God in a way contrary to His instruction's. God set aside a priestly class with very specific instructions to teach the people that not just anyone could serve Him anyway they felt like. it is a picture of God's elect in the christian dispensation having to become king' and priest's by their salvation through Christ and then adhereing to the doctrines that He set forth. following the pagan ways in worshipping God is folly.......as for the 8th day.....that would be eternity as the 7th day is the millineum

HeRoseFromTheDead · Jun 2, 2013

The word translated strange in Leviticus 10:1 (as in strange fire) means alien, or not one's own. The way it reads to me is that since burning incense before GOD symbolizes offering prayer, their act symbolizes offering prayer in spirit that is not the holy spirit, which does not bring life, and in their symbolic case caused their deaths.

There is also some indication that Nadab and Abihu may have entered the holy place behind the vail with their incense (Leviticus 16:1-2). GOD will be sanctified in all who approach him. The righteous can do so confidently through the covering of the blood of the lamb; the wicked who have no covering are consumed by his wrath. The righteous are made pure by GOD's holiness; the wicked are destroyed by it. It may be that Nahab and Abihu were killed for entering the holy place without blood, and the strange fire was just symbolic of their rebellion (i.e, approaching GOD in their own spirit instead of holy spirit).

Elin · Jun 2, 2013

From the thread, Leviticus: Seedbed of NT Theology in Bible Discussion Forum, here.

CHAPTERS 9-10 -Priests Begin Their Ministry

Having established the first of his three-prong remedy for sin,
sutstitutionary penal atonement through the shedding of blood in the five different sacrifices (chps 1-7),
God then established the second prong of this three-prong remedy, the priesthood as mediator between God and man (chp 8).

In Chap 9, the priests begin their appointed duties.

CHAPTER 9 - Priests Offer Their First Sacrifices

vv. 1-21 - the High Priest Aaron, assisted by his two eldest sons the priests, offer their first sacrifices before all the people

a sin offering and burnt offering for the priests (themselves)
a sin offering, burnt offering with its grain offering, and fellowship offering for the people

all according to the Lord's command, so that the glory of the Lord would appear to them (v.6)

v.22 - after waving the fellowship offering, the High Priest Aaron blessed the people (Nu 22:26) and stepped down

vv. 23-24 - then when he and Moses came out of the Holy Place, together they blessed the people and

the glory of the Lord appeared to all the people
fire came out from the presence of the Lord and consumed the burnt offering with its fat portion (Heb 12:29)
indicating God's acceptance of the sacrifices
and when all the people saw it, they shouted for joy and fell facedown

PERSONAL APPLICATION: We must do what the Lord commands so that the glory of the Lord may dwell with us.

CHAPTER 10 - Strange Fire

In Chp 10,

Nadab and Abihu offer worship to God of their own devising
Israel learns the nature of God's exacting holiness
we learn how contrary to our culture are God's ways, which are not our ways (Is 55:8-9)

The chapter is a picture of Jn 14:6: there is only one way to approach God which will avoid the divine judgment--the way
he has authorized--in Jesus Christ

v. 1 - Nadab and Abihu, Aaron's two oldest sons, who

had been with Moses and the elders on Mt Sinai (Ex 24:1)
had seen the Lord (Ex 24:11)
had participated in the covenant meal in the presence of the Lord (Ex 24:11)

offered fire and incense in the Holy Place

v. 1 - contrary to the Lord's command.

only the High Priest (Aaron) was to burn incense before the Lord in the Holy Place (Ex 30:7-8)
only the High Priest could look on the holy things in the Holy Place (Nu 4:15, 20)
used defiled coals which did not come from the divine fire (Lev 9:24) on the sanctified altar (Lev 8:24), as prescribed (Lev 16:12)
did not approach the Lord in the prescribed manner (through the High Priest), see 2Sa 6:3-7; 1Ch 15:12-15
worshipped God in their own way instead of God's prescribed way--will worship (Col 2:22-23, KJV)
picture of God's response to all who do not approach him in the prescribed manner (through his High Priest, Jesus Christ - Heb 7:24--8:2)

BIBLICAL PRINCIPLE: To escape divine judgment on sin, we must approach God in and through his High Priest, Jesus Christ (Jn 14:6).

v. 2 - fire from the presence of the Lord consumed the offenders, just as it had consumed the sacrifices - see Heb 12:29

because they knowingly (intentionally) sinned against the holy things (5:14), there was no sacrifice for their sin (Nu 15:30), they died in their guilt - see Josh 6:15-19, 7:1, 20-26
picture of God's response to all the guilty who have no sacrifice (no faith in the blood of Christ--Ro 3:25) to cleanse their sin

BIBLICAL PRINICPLE: Those who approach God must be holy (cleansed by the blood of Christ) because God is holy.
To approach God in unholiness (outside faith in the blood of Christ--Ro 3:25) is to provoke his judgment on sin.

v. 2 - those who offered unauthorized fire died by fire

punishment corresponds to the sin, according to the law of retaliation (Lev 24:19-20--an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth)

v. 3 - "This is what the Lord spoke of. . ." - throughout the whole Law (e.g., Ex 19:10-13, 20-22, 24:1, 29:43-44, 34:14, Lev 8:35)

v. 3 - "Among those who approach me I will show myself holy;". . .(set apart, not like them. I will be worshipped with holiness and reverence, exactly as I have prescribed.)

v. 3 - "in the sight of all the people I will be honored." (If I am not honored and glorified by them, I will be honored and glorified upon them.) See Pharoah - Ex 14:4, 17-18

BIBLICAL PRINCIPLE: God is (made) known by the judgments he executes. (Ps 9:16; Ex 7:5, 9:14, 10:2, 14:4, 18)
God is sovereign. He has created all mankind for his glory. Those who do not choose to glorify him will glorify him against their choosing (including Satan),
for God is loser to no man. (Lk 12:59)

v. 6 - High Priest, Aaron is forbidden to use public ceremonies of mourning (must mourn silently, privately)

to show greater value and affection for God and their work than for family and friends (Mt 22:36-38, 10:37, 12:47-48)
to show he did not approve of the sin or disagree with the justice of God in its punishmnt, but agreed that God is right
(Dt 32:4; Eze 18:25; Lk 7:29)
shows the attitude and heart disposition of those who love God with all their heart, soul, mind and strength (Mk 12:30)

v. 6 - all Israel is to mourn publicly

not only mourn the loss of their new priests, but especially mourn their sin of disobedience which provoked the wrath of God
so they would be moved to conscientious obedience in the furure

The two separate regulations show two principles:

BIBLICAL PRINCIPLE: To love God with all our heart, all our soul, all our mind and all our strength is to agree with God
that all his ways are just and all he does is good (Dt 32:4; Ps 119:68).

BIBLICAL PRINCIPLE: And to love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength is also to consecrate our hearts to conscientious obedience to all that he commands (Jn 14:15, 21, 23).

This is the second time the house of Levi (Moses, Aaron) is required to separate themselves from their families and agree with God's judgment on those families (golden calf - Ex 32:26-28), and which is why they are now set apart (separated) for the priesthood (Ex 32:29).

PERSONAL APPLICATION: God delights in his saints (Ps 16:3; Is 65:19; Zep 3:17; 2Sa 22:20) because they agree with (justify) him (Lk 7:29)

particularly when they agree with him about (confess) their sin (1Jn 1:9; Ps 51:4),
and with his chief purpose for man, which is to glorify him (1Co 10:31; Ro 1:21)
God's enemies disagree with him (Lk 7:29-30; Rev 12:10; Ro 8:33-34)

v. 3 - Aaron, the High Priest, remained silent when the fire consumed his sons, Nadab and Abihu

our high Priest, Christ, was silent (Is 53:7; Mk 14:61, 15:5; Lk 23:9; Jn 19:9) because he agreed with God's just judgment on our sin requiring the shedding of his blood in atonement (Heb 10:5-7)

BIBLICAL PRINCIPLE: When God corrects us and those who belong to us for sin, we should be silent under the correction, and not quarrel with God, nor fault his justice, nor accuse him of wrong, but submit in all that he does (1Sa 3:18; 2Sa 15:26; Job 1:21).

v. 8 - God spoke to Aaron - God honored Aaron by speaking to him directly for the first time

v. 9 - God's prohibition of wine limited to the tabernacle, so they would not sin through lack of alertness and provoke his exacting justice

v. 10 - KEY VERSE: "You must distinguish between the holy and the common, between the unclean and the clean."

BIBLICAL PRINCIPLE: We must separate the unclean (sin) from the clean (new nature) in our lives (Ro 8:13).

v. 11 - it was the duty of the priests and Levites to teach the Law of God to the people (Dt 31:9-11, 33:8, 10)

v. 17 - Aaron's sons, the priests Eleazar and Ithamar, did not eat the sin offering as required (6:26) to bear the guilt of the people

vv. 18-20 - Moses was satisfied with Aaron's reason for not eating the sin offering, contrary to Moses' command

bread eaten in mourning was unclean (Hos 9:4; Dt 26:14)
Aaron feared that if he ate the sacred portion in mourning, God would have been displeased because it would have defiled him as High Priest
Moses was satisfied that Aaron was not disobedient

SUMMARY - Chapter10

The death of Nadab and Abihu shows us something about:

the nature and character of God:

his ways are not our ways
the only worship acceptable to him is what is authorized by him

wdeaton65 · Jun 2, 2013

nice work Just-me blessings

just-me · Jun 2, 2013

Drawing attention to Leviticus 10:16-19 both Aaron and Moses knew there had been mistakes made. It is obvious to me that Aaron realized the mistakes he had made, he says…. (Quote from KJV) “And if I had eaten the sin offering today, should it have been accepted in the sight of the Lord?” Furthermore one might question, ‘was God accepting or rejecting it all when He sent fire to consume the sacrifices on the altar of the burnt offering in Leviticus 9:24? That would be up for debate with no real conclusion.

The blood was not sprinkled in front of the veil when sacrificing the calf/bullock of the 1[SUP]st[/SUP] sacrifice.
Some time ago we acquired a comment from a rabbi in Israel about the seven sprinkles of blood at the veil in front of the Mercy Seat. He said, “The number seven features heavily in the creation of the world, and the seventh represents a completion that is able to connect the physical creation to its spiritual source.” Therefore, this blood sprinkled clearly connects creation, the Old Testament, and Jesus Christ together. (Leviticus 4:6) Jesus Himself said in John 3:11 and 12, “We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen and ye receive not our witness. If I have told you earthy things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?” One wonders if those who preach that the law is of the past, and of no effect, really have been born again according to verse 7 in this same chapter. Many today claim to be saved, but for lack of being schooled with the whole truth they haven’t truly been brought to Christ. (Galatians 3:23-35, Matthew 7:21-23, Luke 6:46) Without the blood of the sin offering brought forward, all the other sacrifices are vain. That is why the sin offerings were always the first to be burned.
‘Sprinkle’ in the Strong’s Concordance gives the Hebrew word nazah=naw-zaw. The letters in Hebrew define the following: ‘The seed of creation defends and nourishes by breathing the light of the Spirit’. This word is related to conversation. Related scriptures are Hebrews 9:19-22,
Hebrews 10:19-25, Isaiah 52:11-15 relating to John 17:5 and 20. The word rereward in Isaiah (KJV) means ‘I’ve got your back.’

No blood put on the horns of the altar of incense, horns being the representative of power.
It is clear that the altar of incense, when burning was the time of prayer.
(Luke 1:5-13, Revelation 8:3-5)
Adding to this prayer we also see the blood of redemption being clearly linked with the altar of incense. (Revelation 5:8-10)
We hear very often that there is power in prayer and this is very true, but without the blood being applied to the horns of the incense altar there is absolutely no power at all. In religion today, we see a great discrepancy because most would like to abolish the Mosaic Law saying it doesn’t apply any more because of the atoning blood of Jesus Christ. So let’s see more of the mistake linking this instance to today. We pray and neglect this continuing statute requiring us to bear our cross as our Savior bore His, and asking God to bless us thinking we are supposed to be blessed according to our own will. (Hebrews 13:10-14) So without the blood being applied how could we ever be conformed into his will, Jesus Himself making intercessory prayer for us as the high Priest? (Romans 8:28-34)

just-me · Jun 2, 2013

*The sacrificial goat for the people was completely burned up.
The burning rendered the priests incapable to bear the iniquity of the people as God commanded. Even if the goat would have been offered correctly, the mistake of Aaron rendered him useless as an intercessor between the people and God. As yet there had been no connection between Aaron and the Mercy seat. (Leviticus 10:19) As all Levitical sacrifices were a foreshadow of the ultimate sacrifice of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, so was this one. By Aaron not taking some of the blood of the calf to the veil renders the New Testament High Priest ineffective. (John 14:1-6) Even if Aaron would have taken the blood to the veil, destroying the people’s sacrifice negates bearing the sins of the world and the cross would have meant nothing. (Colossians 1:19-23, Hebrews 9:28)

No salt or frankincense was used in the meal offering that can be noted.
The aroma of frankincense is calming and enhances a person’s intuition and inner strength as it creates a spirit of peace and contemplation. (Philippians 4:8-9, Romans 5:1-5, Mark 12:30) It is also a natural insecticide, which would have been immensely helpful where animals were killed and the resulting flies and bugs that it would attract. Those who refuse to look into the law lose their intuition and contemplation. We say we have faith and don’t need a schoolmaster now. The contemplation that God wants us to have is vacant with from within. Consider if Jesus actually created all things, (Colossians 1:15-19, Isaiah 46:9-10) then He actually gave Moses these commandments. How ironic!
Salt indicates the “salt covenant” with God. It is not to be left out of a grain offering.
(Matthew 5:13) If we are suppose to be the salt of the earth, I sometimes wonder why we fail to hold to our end of the bargain by rejecting this covenant/promise given to us before its fulfillment through Jesus Christ. I think the Bible calls this faith and hope. Rhetorically, why would we claim it when we don’t have it? Salt represents purification, and was also symbolic of enduring friendship, honesty, and loyalty because it is also a preservative. (Numbers 6:22-27) Salt is the representation of an unbreakable covenant. “Ought ye not to know that the Lord God of Israel gave the kingdom over Israel to David forever, to him and to his sons by a covenant of salt?” (2 Chronicles 13:5)

In summary, Aaron (being the high priest chosen by God) was the only one to burn incense as has been established. Later, when the priest offered a sin offering for himself, he was to burn incense, taking the coals from the altar of burning of the bullock only. (Leviticus 16:6-14)
Now, we should meditate on whether the fire in Leviticus 9:10 was a fire of acceptance, or was it a fire of rejection? The people were not praying, but seem to be totally astonished and scared. It is evident that the whole ceremony was stopped right then and there except for what Nadab and Abihu were about to do.
The fire was a strange fire because it had much more on it than just the ashes of the bullock. They were putting themselves in a category that only Christ Jesus could fill trying to be accepted by God without the High Priest. Were they a foreshadow of the iniquity that we claim salvation by our own assumptions of works maybe… or thinking we can be accepted by God without the order in which God intended, being ignorant of the Mosaic law on purpose? (James 2:17-20)
One thing we learn for sure in all this is that our High Priest is always accepted by God to be the mediator between God and us. He is the One sacrifice, without anything added or subtracted taking His blood to the mercy seat, the only One who offers prayers of incense, and the only One who has been destroyed for our sakes outside the camp. The sacrifice of Jesus comes before anything else. Then and only then can the forgiveness and blessings He wants us to have by offering ourselves in like manner have meaning and assurance. (Romans 12:1-2)

Elin · Jun 3, 2013

just-me said:

The meaning of Aaron's words and that he had made no mistake is explained in the post on Lev 9-10, above.

No debate. . ."And when all the people saw it, they shouted for joy and fell facedown." (Lev 9:24)

There is no Biblical basis for the fancy of a connection of the physical to the spiritual by the number seven.

Seven is simply the number of completion and perfection.

Blood was applied to the horns of the altar of incense in Lev 4:18.

Your information source is very inaccurate.

RedTent · Jun 3, 2013

What wonderful work you have all done in finding the God principles shown us through Nadab and Abihu. I would like to point out one more, that we must follow just what God tells us. Often we don't understand why we are told to live a certain way, or our common sense tells us that our way is just fine, but for God, there is a narrow way with definite boundaries. That road always leads to a more abundant life, one most filled with joy.

Elin · Jun 3, 2013

just-me said:

The sin offering of the goats (Lev 9:2, 3) were offered correctly, they were burned outside the camp, which were the regulations for sin offerings (Lev 4:12, 21).
The reason Aaron did not eat the sin offering is explained in the post on Lev 9-10, above.

More fanciful unbiblical notions. . .

Any offering whose blood was taken into the Holy Place was not eaten.

Moses did not command Aaron to take the blood of the offering (Lev 9:7-8) into the Holy Place, and Moses stated to Aaron that
"since the blood was not taken into the Holy Place, you should have eaten the goat in the sanctuary area, as I commanded." (Lev 10:18)

And that Aaron's not eating the offering was not a mistake is evidence by
God's acceptance of the offering (Lev 9:23-24), and
Moses' satisfaction with Aaron's explanation (Lev 10:20).

When the grain offering was for sin (Lev 9:15-17), no oil or incense was to be used (Lev 5:11).

Only voluntary grain offerings as an act of worship used oil, incense and salt.

The fire in Lev 9:10 has nothing to do with either.

Your information source is a wealth of misinformation.

Elin · Jun 4, 2013

just-me said:

*The sacrificial goat for the people was completely burned up.
The burning rendered the priests incapable to bear the iniquity of the people as God commanded. Even if the goat would have been offered correctly, the mistake of Aaron rendered him useless as an intercessor between the people and God. As yet there had been no connection between Aaron and the Mercy seat. (Leviticus 10:19) As all Levitical sacrifices were a foreshadow of the ultimate sacrifice of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, so was this one. By Aaron not taking some of the blood of the calf to the veil renders the New Testament High Priest ineffective. (John 14:1-6) Even if Aaron would have taken the blood to the veil, destroying the people’s sacrifice negates bearing the sins of the world and the cross would have meant nothing. (Colossians 1:19-23, Hebrews 9:28)

No salt or frankincense was used in the meal offering that can be noted.
The aroma of frankincense is calming and enhances a person’s intuition and inner strength as it creates a spirit of peace and contemplation. (Philippians 4:8-9, Romans 5:1-5, Mark 12:30) It is also a natural insecticide, which would have been immensely helpful where animals were killed and the resulting flies and bugs that it would attract. Those who refuse to look into the law lose their intuition and contemplation. We say we have faith and don’t need a schoolmaster now. The contemplation that God wants us to have is vacant with from within. Consider if Jesus actually created all things, (Colossians 1:15-19, Isaiah 46:9-10) then He actually gave Moses these commandments. How ironic!
Salt indicates the “salt covenant” with God. It is not to be left out of a grain offering.
(Matthew 5:13) If we are suppose to be the salt of the earth, I sometimes wonder why we fail to hold to our end of the bargain by rejecting this covenant/promise given to us before its fulfillment through Jesus Christ. I think the Bible calls this faith and hope. Rhetorically, why would we claim it when we don’t have it? Salt represents purification, and was also symbolic of enduring friendship, honesty, and loyalty because it is also a preservative. (Numbers 6:22-27) Salt is the representation of an unbreakable covenant. “Ought ye not to know that the Lord God of Israel gave the kingdom over Israel to David forever, to him and to his sons by a covenant of salt?” (2 Chronicles 13:5)

In summary, Aaron (being the high priest chosen by God) was the only one to burn incense as has been established. Later, when the priest offered a sin offering for himself, he was to burn incense, taking the coals from the altar of burning of the bullock only. (Leviticus 16:6-14)
Now, we should meditate on whether the fire in Leviticus 9:10 was a fire of acceptance, or was it a fire of rejection? The people were not praying, but seem to be totally astonished and scared. It is evident that the whole ceremony was stopped right then and there except for what Nadab and Abihu were about to do.
The fire was a strange fire because it had much more on it than just the ashes of the bullock. They were putting themselves in a category that only Christ Jesus could fill trying to be accepted by God without the High Priest. Were they a foreshadow of the iniquity that we claim salvation by our own assumptions of works maybe… or thinking we can be accepted by God without the order in which God intended, being ignorant of the Mosaic law on purpose? (James 2:17-20)
One thing we learn for sure in all this is that our High Priest is always accepted by God to be the mediator between God and us. He is the One sacrifice, without anything added or subtracted taking His blood to the mercy seat, the only One who offers prayers of incense, and the only One who has been destroyed for our sakes outside the camp. The sacrifice of Jesus comes before anything else. Then and only then can the forgiveness and blessings He wants us to have by offering ourselves in like manner have meaning and assurance. (Romans 12:1-2)

Didn't mean to be so critical above.

You do realize that what Nadab and Abihu did wrong had nothing to do with sacrifice, right?

just-me · Jun 5, 2013

My Bible says the people fell on their faces and shouted - no "for joy" in it. Your comment of the blood sprinkled 7 times was only supposed to happen once without a connection to anything, according to what you state as completion? And finally, Leviticus chapter 4 and Leviticus chapter 9 are two different points in time. I say this for your enlightenment. I appreciate your comments.

just-me · Jun 5, 2013

Elin said:

The sin offering of the goats (Lev 9:2, 3) were offered correctly, they were burned outside the camp, which were the regulations for sin offerings (Lev 4:12, 21). Lev 4:12 and 21 is a bullock, not a goat.
The reason Aaron did not eat the sin offering is explained in the post on Lev 9-10, above.
According to Lev 10:16-17 are you indicating that Moses didn't know what was supposed to happen to the goat sin offering for the people?

More fanciful unbiblical notions. . .

Any offering whose blood was taken into the Holy Place was not eaten.

Moses did not command Aaron to take the blood of the offering (Lev 9:7-8) into the Holy Place, and Moses stated to Aaron that
"since the blood was not taken into the Holy Place, you should have eaten the goat in the sanctuary area, as I commanded." (Lev 10:18)

And that Aaron's not eating the offering was not a mistake is evidence by
God's acceptance of the offering (Lev 9:23-24), and
Moses' satisfaction with Aaron's explanation (Lev 10:20).
Again, the KJV do not say the people shouted "for joy" - the glory of the Lord can also be for rejection. They fell on their faces but it say they were praying like they should have.

When the grain offering was for sin (Lev 9:15-17), no oil or incense was to be used (Lev 5:11).
Obviously, according to Moses' directions in Lev 9:4, the meal offering was to be mingled with oil, therefore it was not a sin offering without oil.
Only voluntary grain offerings as an act of worship used oil, incense and salt.

The fire in Lev 9:10 has nothing to do with either.
According to the scripture you use, a fire was already burning on the altar. Well observed. Lev. 9:24 is where God sent the fire that devoured the whole thing.

Your information source is a wealth of misinformation.

So without using my misinformation, could you enlighten me on the spiritual significance of Lev chapters 9-10, please?

just-me · Jun 5, 2013

The following glitch caused typos from previous post and gave the wrong message, reading ......
Again, the KJV do not say the people shouted "for joy" - the glory of the Lord can also be for rejection. They fell on their faces but it say they were praying like they should have.
IT WAS MEANT TO READ.....
Again, the KJV and the Complete Jewish Bible do not say the people shouted "for joy" - the glory of the Lord can also be for rejection of righteous judgement. They fell on their faces but it doesn't say they were praying like they should have been at the time.

Elin · Jun 5, 2013

just-me said:

The Hebrew word used for "shout" (ranan) means "to cry aloud, sing."

Where are they commanded to pray at that time so that they are in disobedience for shouting with joy instead of praying?

Elin · Jun 5, 2013

just-me said:

That is found here in the Biblical Principles and Personal Applications presented.

The main point of misinformation on Nadab and Abibu is that what they did wrong involved the sacrifices.
It involved only incense.

Elin · Jun 5, 2013

just-me said:

Addressed.

To which chapter are you referring?

Thanks.

But the whole book of Leviticus was given in one month.

What did Nadab and Abihu do that was so wrong?

Banned

Banned

Banned

Banned

jerusalem

Guest

Senior Member

Banned

wdeaton65

Guest

Banned

Banned

Banned

Banned

Banned

Banned

Banned

Banned

Banned

Banned

Banned

Banned