"Strange Fire"-אֵשׁ זָרָה-Esh Zarah

“Aaron’s sons Nadab and Abihu took their censers, put fire in them and added incense; and they offered unauthorized fire before the LORD, contrary to his command. So fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed them, and they died before the LORD. Moses then said to Aaron, “This is what the LORD spoke of when he said: “‘Among those who approach me I will be proved holy; in the sight of all the people I will be honored.’”Aaron remained silent.”-Leviticus 10:1-3

The aforementioned Scripture is a gruesome snapshot from the inauguration ceremony for the just established Leviticus priesthood. Aaron has just been consecrated as the high priest and as part of the tabernacle rituals his two elder sons Nadab and Abihu take their fire pans and add incense to them to create smoke as an offering to the L-rd. However, the Scripture tells us that what was offered was alien to Yahweh. So in immediate response to this offense, Nadab and Abihu are incinerated on the spot. Now usually the first question asked by somebody reading this passage is “Why?” “Isn’t this a little extreme for what seems to be a simple breach of priestly protocol?”

The first thing that can and should be pointed out is that Nadab and Abihu were ordained priests. So as a result of their position, they were especially close to G-d. And for those who are especially close to G-d, the resulting responsibilities are much greater. In other words, they should have known better. Exodus 30:9 specifically warns that "You shall not offer any strange incense on this altar, or burnt offering or meal offering; and you shall not pour out a libation on it.”

However, there is a much more crucial issue at stake here. Let’s look at Leviticus 10:3 again and note the words I have bolded.

“Among those who approach me I will be proved holy; in the sight of all the people I will be honored.”

The real issue at stake here is that Nadab and Abihu trespassed on the one thing that must never be trespassed on; G-d’s holiness. This issue is also directly connected to salvation. Why does the world need to be saved? The answer is simple; because every human being has been infected with the sin of Adam and is thus not holy. However, through Yeshua’s blood we have been sanctified and are thus allowed to come into G-d’s presence. I should actually rephrase and state that this issue is not just connected to salvation. It is salvation! It is the very crux of what salvation is all about! The biblical definition of salvation literally means “being made acceptable to G-d via His ways and methods.” It doesn’t matter what the world thinks or what some other pagan or polytheistic religion like Islam or Hinduism thinks. If we can ever dare to approach the most Holy G-d, we do it on His terms or not at all. To quote Tovia Singer “Let’s see what the G-d of Israel has to say about it by going directly to His Word.” The reason Nadab and Abihu had their lives snuffed out was because they were in positions of exceptionally special closeness to G-d and they violated His commands in front of the people.

The final point, there is nobody who has a closer relationship with G-d than a believer who has been sanctified by the blood of Yeshua. Do we not have the Spirit of the Living G-d residing within us? If so, we are in the same position as Nadab and Abihu (actually even more since we have the Spirit living within us).

L-rd, I pray that we come to a strong realization of the tremendous responsibilities we harbor as believers in Yeshua. Let us through the diligent study of Your Word, come to a stronger understanding of Your Holiness and Ways.

Amen.