Exegetical Notes: Leviticus 9:15-24; 10:1-3 (Dawson)
15 Then he presented the people's offering and took the goat of the sin offering that was for the people and killed it and offered it as a sin offering, like the first one.
"presented the people's offering" - Notice the order of these offerings. Warren Wiersbe stated, "We must first deal with our sins before we can dedicate ourselves totally to the Lord; then we can enjoy fellowship with Him." Mark F. Rooker, Leviticus, vol. 3A, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2000), 152-153.
16 And he presented the burnt offering and offered it according to the rule.
"burnt offering" - to atone for basic human sinfulness.
17 And he presented the grain offering, took a handful of it, and burned it on the altar, besides the burnt offering of the morning.
"grain offering" - also known as a cereal offering. to secure or retain God's good will.
18 Then he killed the ox and the ram, the sacrifice of peace offerings for the people. And Aaron's sons handed him the blood, and he threw it against the sides of the altar.
"peace offering" - to render praise to Yahweh.
19 But the fat pieces of the ox and of the ram, the fat tail and that which covers the entrails and the kidneys and the long lobe of the liver-
20 they put the fat pieces on the breasts, and he burned the fat pieces on the altar,
21 but the breasts and the right thigh Aaron waved for a wave offering before the Lord, as Moses commanded.
"wave offering" -a symbolic act where the pieces offered for sacrifice were literally waved before the Lord, symbolizing that this offering was for Him.
22 Then Aaron lifted up his hands toward the people and blessed them, and he came down from offering the sin offering and the burnt offering and the peace offerings.
23 And Moses and Aaron went into the tent of meeting, and when they came out they blessed the people, and the glory of the Lord appeared to all the people.
"glory" - The Hebrew word for glory...denotes "heaviness" or "weightiness" and hence the extended meaning of "significance, superior value, distinction, splendor."... Manifestations of God's glory demonstrate his desire to reveal himself and dwell among men. "God wishes to dwell with men, to have his reality and his splendor known to them." F. Rooker, Leviticus, vol. 3A, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2000), 154.
24 And fire came out from before the Lord and consumed the burnt offering and the pieces of fat on the altar, and when all the people saw it, they shouted and fell on their faces.
"fire" - here symbolizing God's presence and holiness/glory. In chapter 10, we see an added element of judgment.
"shouted" - this verb is often used in the context of ritual observances and seems to represent a liturgical practice rather than disorder or fear. However, the people could have shouted spontaneously. René Péter-Contesse and John Ellington, A Handbook on Leviticus, UBS Handbook Series (New York: United Bible Societies, 1992), 139.
"fell on their faces" - this common biblical expression often causes amusement or misunderstanding when translated literally into other languages. It involved bowing in such a way that the face actually touched the ground. In the Old Testament this gesture was an indication of the most profound and deepest respect before a superior. In this case the superior is God himself. René Péter-Contesse and John Ellington, A Handbook on Leviticus, UBS Handbook Series (New York: United Bible Societies, 1992), 139.
Leviticus 10:1-3
In chapter 10 ignorant or presumptuous action without divine directive resulted in fire from God consuming the violators in immediate judgment. F. Duane Lindsey, "Leviticus," in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 1 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 188-189.
This event is reported to have occured on the first official day the sacrificial system was employed - only highlighting man's inability to obey the law.
Romans 3:20 - For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.
Galatians 2:16 -yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.
1 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.
"Nadab and Abihu" - the 2 eldest sons of Aaron.
"which he had not commanded them" - either through ignorance or presumption, offered unauthorized fire before the Lord, contrary to His command. This incident interrupted the regular pattern of the previous two chapters in which everything was done in accord with the commands of the Lord (cf. Lev. 8:36). It is not stated what made their offering of incense "unauthorized" ("strange," kjv).
In any event, they acted contrary to God's will and their immediate judgment by God was a dramatic example of what it meant to be "cut off from his people" (cf. Num. 15:30). "The moral of the story" as summarized by Moses is that those who have the privilege of being nearest to God must bear special responsibility to exemplify His holiness and glory. F. Duane Lindsey, "Leviticus," in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 1 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 189.
Leviticus 16:1-2 suggests that they may have been killed because they entered the holy of holies, as Aaron is warned that he may enter only on the Day of Atonement. However the immediate contexts suggests they may have been killed because they offered the wrong coals, or they offered sacrifices with the wrong ingredients.
"unauthorized fire" - In contrast to Aaron's sacrifices, which were offered, "according to the rule" in 9:16.
APP: Although we may not understand the exact nature of the disobedience of Aaron's sons, the application is all too clear. Ignorance or presumption are not valid excuses to profane the name and/or character of God. God determines what is and is not righteous and defines the consequences for man's failure to meet his expectations of righteousness.
2 And fire came out from before the Lord and consumed them, and they died before the Lord.
"fire" - often used as a symbol of God's presence, His glory, or His judgment. All three may be assumed here. Because God was present and the sacrificed were offered a manner/means that was an affront to His glory, He responded with swift judgment toward the sons of Aaron.
3 Then Moses said to Aaron, "This is what the Lord has said: 'Among those who are near me I will be sanctified, and before all the people I will be glorified.'" And Aaron held his peace.
"If we reflect how holy a thing God's worship is, the enormity of the punishment will by no means offend us. Besides, it was necessary that their religion should be sanctified at its very commencement; for if God had suffered the sons of Aaron to transgress with impunity, they would have afterwards carelessly neglected the whole Law. This, therefore, was the reason of such great severity, that the priests should anxiously watch against all profanation." John Calvin, Commentaries on the Last Books of Moses (Grand Rapids: Baker, 1979), 2:431.
EW Commentary-Lev 9:15-21 - Aaron offers the sacrifice on behalf of the people.
Then he brought the people's offering, and took the goat, which was the sin offering for the people, and killed it and offered it for sin, like the first one. And he brought the burnt offering and offered it according to the prescribed manner. Then he brought the grain offering, took a handful of it, and burned it on the altar, besides the burnt sacrifice of the morning. He also killed the bull and the ram as sacrifices of peace offerings, which were for the people. And Aaron's sons presented to him the blood, which he sprinkled all around on the altar, and the fat from the bull and the ram; the fatty tail, what covers the entrails and the kidneys, and the fatty lobe attached to the liver; and they put the fat on the breasts. Then he burned the fat on the altar; but the breasts and the right thigh Aaron waved as a wave offering before the LORD, as Moses had commanded.
5. (Lev 9:22-24) God blesses Israel with a display of His glory.
Then Aaron lifted his hand toward the people, blessed them, and came down from offering the sin offering, the burnt offering, and peace offerings. And Moses and Aaron went into the tabernacle of meeting, and came out and blessed the people. Then the glory of the LORD appeared to all the people, and fire came out from before the LORD and consumed the burnt offering and the fat on the altar. When all the people saw it, they shouted and fell on their faces.
Ex. 10:1-3 - The Conduct of Priests
A. Nadab and Abihu.
1. (Lev 10:1) The sin of Aaron's sons.
Then Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, each took his censer and put fire in it, put incense on it, and offered profane fire before the LORD, which He had not commanded them.
a. Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, each took his censer and put fire in it: In the afterglow of the consecration experience (which Nadab and Abihu were part of), these two sons of Aaron sought out their own relationship with God, apart from the revelation granted through Moses.
i. We don't know what their motivation was. Perhaps it was
pride, perhaps it was ambition, perhaps it was jealousy, perhaps it was impatience that motivated them. Whatever their exact motivation, it wasn't holiness unto the LORD.
ii. Nadab and Abihu had a legacy of great spiritual experiences. They saw first-hand:
- All the miracles God did in bringing the nation out of Egypt.
- The voice of God and saw the fire, lightning, smoke, and felt the thunder and the earthquake with the rest of the nation at Mount Sinai.
- They went up with Moses, Aaron, and the seventy elders for a special meeting with God on Mount Sinai (Exodus 24:1-2), where they saw the God of Israel ... so they say God, and they ate and drank (Exodus 24:9-11).
iii. This shows that even a legacy of great spiritual experiences can't keep us right with God - only an abiding relationship grounded in the truth of God's word can.
b. Which He had not commanded them: They came in an unauthorized way, coming to God, but demanding to come their own way. Therefore God considered this a profane fire before the LORD.
i. This was a misuse of special incense. This incense was regarded as holy for the LORD (Exodus 30:35-37). It wasn't to be used in someone's experiment with God.
ii. Profane fire was a fire not kindled from the altar of burnt offering; it was fire not associated with the atoning and redeeming work of sacrifice.
iii. The fire in the altar of burnt offering was sacred because it was kindled by God Himself. Nadab and Abihu offered a fire of their own making. Perhaps they thought that all fire was the same, and the undiscerning may have agreed with them. But all fire isn't the same and there is a huge difference between the fire kindled by God and fire conjured up by man.
iv. We also should not forget that Satan himself can deceive with fire. In the great tribulation the Antichrist and his lieutenant will be able to make fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men (Revelation 13:13). They will use this fire to deceive the undiscerning.
v. Worst of all, before the LORD probably means they dared even to go past the veil into the Most Holy Place. Perhaps they thought they had accomplished too much during their time of consecration, and were now worthy to go right in.
2. (Lev 10:2) The judgment of God upon Nadab and Abihu.
So fire went out from the LORD and devoured them, and they died before the LORD.
a. So fire went out from the LORD: The same fire that showed forth God's glory in Leviticus 9:24 now showed His judgment at these unfaithful priests.
b. And devoured them: The fire of Leviticus 9:24 was a fire of glory and this was a fire of judgment. Yet in many ways it was the same fire.
i. Fire is a figure of searching judgment and purification. Our works for Jesus will be judged by fire (1 Corinthians 3:13-15), and Jesus is described as having eyes like a flame of fire (Revelation 1:14). He has eyes of searching judgment and discernment.
ii. Many of those who cry out to God, "send your fire among us" think only of a Leviticus 9:24 fire, without considering the same fire is present to purify and cleanse in Leviticus 10:2. Truth be known, many of us desperately beg God not to send his fire, so the purity of His judgments will not be known among us. God reads our hearts and not only our pious prayers to send revival fire.
c. They died before the LORD: They may well have been struck down in the Most Holy Place itself.
3. (Lev 10:3) God's warning to Moses and Aaron.
And Moses said to Aaron, "This is what the LORD spoke, saying: 'By those who come near Me I must be regarded as holy; And before all the people I must be glorified.' " So Aaron held his peace.
a. So Aaron held his peace: Aaron just saw two of his sons struck down before the LORD. It was natural for him to question or even to lament - but God would not allow it. More important than Aaron's right to grieve was the respect of God's holiness.
b. By those who come near Me I must be regarded as holy: Many think they can come their own way before God and do their own thing in His presence. But God demands to be regarded as holy by all those who come near to Him.
i. Make no mistake: We can come to God just as we are, but we may not come to Him our own way. We must come the way He has provided, the way made in Jesus Christ.
c. And before all the people I must be glorified: This reminds us that God must be glorified in the meetings of His people. The focus must not be on man, on his cleverness, on his insight, or on his ingenuity. Those who fail to glorify God will not be rewarded.
Lev. 9:15-24; 10:1-3 - Pulpit Commentary
Leviticus 9:15-21
The people's sin offering, burnt off, ring, meat offering, and peace offerings follow. The meat offering is said to have been burnt upon the altar, beside the burnt sacrifice of the morning. It is probable that, on this occasion, the people's burnt offering, which consisted of a calf and a lamb, took the place of the ordinary morning sacrifice of a lamb (Exodus 29:38). Aaron is said to have offered the burnt offering according to the manner, or, as it is given in the margin, ordinance, that is, he burnt the flesh on the altar (Leviticus 1:7-9); he also burnt the handful of the meat offering, and he burnt the fat of the peace offering, upon the altar. He had previously burnt the fat of his own sin offering, and the flesh of his burnt offering. Fire, therefore, was present upon the altar, and was used by Aaron, as by Moses, for sacrificial purposes before the fire came out from the Lord as described in Leviticus 9:24.
Leviticus 9:22
And Aaron lifted up his hand or (according to the more probable reading) hands. This was the first priestly benediction by Aaron, given from the elevated standing-place which he occupied by the side of the altar.
Leviticus 9:23
Moses (for the last time) and Aaron (for the first time) went into the tabernacle in the character of priest. During this visit Moses committed to Aaron the care of the things within the tabernacle, as he had already given him the charge of all connected with the sacrifices of the court. Not till after this is Aaron fully initiated into his office. "No man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron" (Hebrews 5:4). On coming out from the tabernacle, Moses and Aaron, standing near the door, unite in blessing the congregation, in order to show the harmony between them and the capacity of blessing in the Name of the Lord enjoyed by Aaron as by Moses. The latter has now divested himself of that part of his office which made him the one mediator between God and his people, Aaron is henceforth a type of Christ as well as Moses. While giving the joint blessing, the glory of the Lord appeared unto all the people, proceeding from the ark, and enveloping the lawgiver and the priest as they stood together.
Leviticus 9:24
And there came a fire out from before the Lord. The sacrifices were already smouldering on the altar, a ram, a calf, and a lamb, besides the internal fat of a young bull, a kid, a bullock, and a ram, and a handful of flour. They would have continued smouldering all the day and the night, but a miraculous fire issued from the tabernacle, and consumed the whole in the sight of the people. So fire fell and consumed Solomon's sacrifice at the dedication of the temple. Jewish tradition reports that the fire was always kept alive until the reign of Manasseh, when it became extinguished. When the people saw this sight, they shouted, and fell on their faces. They had been standing in a state of intense expectation, awaiting the fulfillment of the promise that the Lord would appear unto them today, and watching the acts of the two brothers; and their feelings are now raised to the utmost enthusiasm and awe by the appearance of the glory of the Lord and the notion of the Divine fire. See 2 Chronicles 8:3.
Leviticus 10:1
And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the LORD, which he commanded them not.
Verse 1. - Nadab and Ahibu are said to have each taken his censer. This is the first time that the word used in the original is translated "censer." It means any vessel or pan that will hold embers or tinder (see Exodus 25:38; Exodus 37:23; Exodus 38:3). They put fire therein, and put incense thereon. No doubt they used the incense ordered in Exodus 30:34. They are not found fault with for the incense, but for the fire that they used. They offered strange fire, that is, fire not taken from the altar of burnt offering, which they might have feared to approach after the miracle that had occurred. In chapter Leviticus 16:12 it is ordered that, on the Day of Atonement, the incense fire should be taken from the brazen altar, and this was no doubt the rule on all occasions, though the law has not been recorded.
Leviticus 10:2
And there went out fire from the LORD, and devoured them, and they died before the LORD.
Verse 2. - And there went out fire from the Lord, and devoured. These are the exact words used in Leviticus 9:24 of the fire that consumed the sacrifices. The fire was the same; its source was the same; its effect was the same, and yet how different! They died before the Lord; that is, they were struck dead at the door of the tabernacle.
Leviticus 10:3
Then Moses said unto Aaron, This is it that the LORD spake, saying, I will be sanctified in them that come nigh me, and before all the people I will be glorified. And Aaron held his peace.
Verse 3. - This is that the Lord spake (see Exodus 19:22; Exodus 28:41; Exodus 29:44; Leviticus 8:33). God will be sanctified either by the obedience or by the punishment of those that come nigh him, that is, his priests. If they have greater privileges, they have greater perils (cf. Matthew 11:21). Aaron held his peace - in submission (see Psalm 39:9; Job 1:22), acknowledging that Moses had justified the act of God in executing so terrible a judgment.
Lev. 9:15-24; 10:1-3 Extra Commentary
Leviticus 9:15 "And he brought the people's offering, and took the goat, which [was] the sin offering for the people, and slew it, and offered it for sin, as the first."
To the altar, having offered his own first.
"And took the goat, which was the sin offering for the people, and slew it": Where he had slain his own.
"And offered it for sin, as the first": The first offering he offered for himself, which was of the same sort.
In this lesson, I will not get into every little detail about what each item symbolizes. We dealt with those things in a previous lesson. I will however, remind all of us about some of the important differences in each offering. The most important thing to remember here, is that the offering for the entire congregation was the same as for the priest. This again, indicates that the priest will pay a higher price for his sins, because he sinned in knowledge.
Leviticus 9:16 "And he brought the burnt offering, and offered it according to the manner."
The calf and the lamb (Lev. 9:3).
"And offered it according to the manner": Judgment, ordinance, and appointment of God respecting that sort of offerings (see Lev. 1:1).
The thing that stands out to me in this is, that Aaron has learned his lesson well, and he is doing the offerings in the proper order.
Leviticus 9:17 And he brought the meat offering, and took a handful thereof, and burnt [it] upon the altar, beside the burnt sacrifice of the morning."
Made of fine flour, with oil and frankincense put upon it (see Lev. 2:1).
"And took a handful thereof, and burnt it upon the altar" (see Lev. 2:2).
"Beside the burnt sacrifice of the morning": The daily morning sacrifice, which was not to be omitted on account of these extraordinary sacrifices, both for the priest and for the people. Or "after the burnt sacrifice of the morning"; for no sacrifice was offered up before that: so Jarchi.
We must not forget that the meat offering had no animal flesh involved. It contained the elements to make bread. Jesus is the Bread of life. Jesus spoke of His flesh as the Bread.
John 6:51 "I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world."
This Scripture in John makes it very clear why this offering of bread is called meat. It symbolizes the flesh of Jesus.
Leviticus 9:18 "He slew also the bullock and the ram [for] a sacrifice of peace offerings, which [was] for the people: and Aaron's sons presented unto him the blood, which he sprinkled upon the altar round about,"
That they might feast, rejoice, and be glad that atonement was made for their sins, and their gifts and sacrifices accepted of God (see Rom. 5:11).
"And Aaron's sons presented unto him the blood": Of the peace offerings, the bullock and the ram, which they had received into a vessel as they were killing them.
"Which he sprinkled upon the altar round about": As he did with the blood of his own burnt offering (Lev. 9:12).
The important thing to remember is, that Jesus is our peace.
Ephesians 2:14 "For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition [between us];"
Leviticus 9:19 "And the fat of the bullock and of the ram, the rump, and that which covereth [the inwards], and the kidneys, and the caul [above] the liver:"
Which in all offerings was the Lord's, and was burnt (see Lev. 3:16).
"The rump": Or tail of the ram. Which in those countries was very large, and had a great deal of fat upon it (see notes on Exodus 29:22; Lev. 3:9).
"And that which covereth the inwards": Called the "omentum".
"And the kidneys, and the caul above the liver": And the fat that was upon each of these. Ben Gersom observes, that the kidneys and liver are mentioned last, to show that they were laid uppermost in waving (after directed to), that the owners might be stirred up, or moved by these things.
Leviticus 9:20 "And they put the fat upon the breasts, and he burnt the fat upon the altar:"
Both of the bullock and of the ram, while they were waving.
"And he burnt the fat upon the altar": After having been waved.
The fat in every offering was God's. The rump here, was actually the fat tail of the animal. The fat and all of these inward parts were to be burned as a sweet savor to the LORD. The breast was not burned here. It was just the fat and inwards burned.
Leviticus 9:21 "And the breasts and the right shoulder Aaron waved [for] a wave offering before the LORD; as Moses commanded."
The breasts of the bullock and the ram, and the right shoulders of them both.
"Aaron waved for a wave offering before the Lord": Which was given to him as his part of the peace offerings, after they had been thus waved before the Lord. Whereby an acknowledgment was made that he was Lord of all, and had a right to all they had. In token of which these parts were given to his priests towards their maintenance.
"As Moses commanded (see Exodus 29:27).
This waving of the breast and shoulder was raising it up to God in offering, that God might bless it for their consumption later. The priest would eat this breast after it was properly cooked such as boiling or baking.
Leviticus 9:22 And Aaron lifted up his hand toward the people, and blessed them, and came down from offering of the sin offering, and the burnt offering, and peace offerings.
After he had offered the above sacrifices both for himself and them. The manner of the priests lifting up their hands when they blessed is thus described. In the provinces, the priests lifted up their hands to their shoulders, and in the sanctuary above their heads. Excepting the high priest, who did not lift up his hands above the plate of gold. But R. Judah says, the high priest lifted up his hands above the plate, as it is said (Lev. 9:22). The modern Jews describe it thus: they lift up their hands to their shoulders, and they lift up the right hand somewhat higher than the left. Then they stretch out their hands, and part their fingers, and frame them so as to make five airs. Between two fingers and two fingers one air, and between the forefinger and the thumb, and between the two thumbs. They spread out their hands so, that the middle (or palm) of the hand may be towards the earth, and the back part of it towards heaven. Aaron lifted his hands upwards, signifying from whence he implored the blessing, and towards the people on whom he desired it might descend. In this was a type of Christ, who, after he had offered himself a sacrifice for the sins of his people, when he was risen from the dead and about to ascend to heaven, blessed his disciples (Luke 24:50). In Christ, the saints are blessed with all spiritual blessings. By him they are procured for them, through his blood, sacrifice, and satisfaction. And he ever lives to make intercession for the application of them to them (see Eph. 1:3).
"And came down from offering of the sin offering, and the burnt offering, and peace offerings": From the altar with joy, as the Targum of Jonathan. Being glad he had done his service with acceptance. He is said to "come down", there being a rise or ascent to the altar, which, as Aben Ezra observes, was three cubits high, and therefore it is with propriety said he came down. Which he did as soon as he had made an end of offering all the sacrifices.
Up until this time, all blessings of God spoken on the people had been done by Moses. Now Aaron is taking on his job as high priest. He is speaking a blessing that actually came from God, but God used him to speak it. This lifting up his hands toward heaven showed that Aaron knew where his power came from. All of the offerings had foreshadowed the sacrifice that Jesus would make for us all. This sin offering showed the placing of the sin on the one being offered. Our sins were placed on Jesus and He became our substitute (in the sin offering). In the burnt offering, we see Christ offered up to God (a sweet savor to God). I believe the statement (not my will but thine), is covered in this offering, as we said earlier in this lesson. Jesus is our peace. We could say in the peace offering, not by works, but by grace am I saved. All of these offerings are made in a short time period. It is impossible to separate them totally. They all symbolize some aspect of what God did for all believers through Jesus Christ.
Leviticus 9:23 "And Moses and Aaron went into the tabernacle of the congregation, and came out, and blessed the people: and the glory of the LORD appeared unto all the people."
They went out of the court where the altar of burnt offering stood, and where Aaron had been offering the sacrifices. And they went into the Holy Place, where stood the altar of incense, the showbread table, and the candlestick. And it is probable Moses went in with Aaron there to show him how to offer the incense, to order the showbread on the table, and to light and trim the lamps of the candlestick. And so Jarchi observes, that he went in to teach him concerning the business of the incense. But it may be, it was also to pray for the people, as the Targum, and for the Lord's appearance to them, as was promised and expected. And that fire might descend on the sacrifices as a token of acceptance of them, as Aben Ezra notes.
"And came out, and blessed the people": Aaron had blessed them before, but now both Moses and Aaron blessed them. Atonement being made by the sacrifice of Christ, and law and justice thereby fully satisfied. Christ and the law agree together in the blessing of the Lord's people. The way was hereby made for the communication of blessings to them, consistent with the law of God, and his holiness and justice (Gal. 3:10).
"And the glory of the Lord appeared unto all the people": Some visible signs of his glory, some very great splendor or luster, or breaking forth of his glory. Or Christ, the glory of the Father, appeared in a human form, as a pledge of his future incarnation, when all the above sacrifices, which were types of him, would have their accomplishment. And this being immediately upon the offering of them, may signify that the glory of God greatly appears in the sacrifice and satisfaction of Christ, and in the redemption and salvation of his people in that way (Psalm 21:4). And the glorious and gracious presence of God is enjoyed by his people, in consequence of the propitiatory sacrifice of Christ, which was signified by the mercy seat, from whence the Lord communed. And it is through Christ, his blood and sacrifice, saints have access to God, and fellowship with him (Eph. 2:18).
We sing a little chorus at our church which says (I want to see Jesus). I believe that is the desire of all true believers in Christ. I refuse to worship in any church where the presence of God is absent. We know that the presence of God was in the sanctuary in the Holy of Holies. Remember, the congregation could not go into that area. The presence of Moses and Aaron here, shows the people that God speaks through them both. This glory spoken of here I believe, is the Shekinah glory of God. In this the people would not see the face of God, but a great presence of light. This Light would be the same Light that Paul encountered on the road to Damascus when his life was totally transformed.
Acts 9:3 "And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:"
We know that man cannot see the face of God and live. This is a presence of God that cannot be denied, such as a very bright light. Many times throughout the Bible, God has appeared to someone. Usually he appears in some form of fire, or smoke made by fire, or a light.
Leviticus 9:24 "And there came a fire out from before the LORD, and consumed upon the altar the burnt offering and the fat: [which] when all the people saw, they shouted, and fell on their faces."
Either from heaven, or from the Holy of Holies, where was the symbol of the divine Presence, and Jehovah had now taken up his residence.
"And consumed upon the altar the burnt offering, and the fat": according to Aben Ezra, the burnt offering of Aaron, and of the people, and of the daily sacrifice. For so it is written, besides the burnt offering of the morning (Lev. 9:17). And the fat of the calf and ram of Aaron, and of the goat, ox, and ram of the people, which though they were laid upon the altar at the time of their offering. Yet it is thought by some they were not burnt till now. Yet, with respect to the persons for whom this sacrifice was offered, it denotes acceptance of it, that it was an offering by fire, and of a sweet smelling savor to God. His law and justice being satisfied, and having honor done them. Concerning this fire, and the perpetual burning of it (see notes on Lev. 6:12; 6:13).
"Which when all the people saw, they shouted, and fell on their faces": Aaron blessing them, and the appearance of the glory of God unto them, no doubt, gave them joy and pleasure, as the spiritual blessings by Christ, and the gracious presence of God do to his people (Psalm 103:1). But what filled them with joy unspeakable was the acceptance of their sacrifices, as typical of the sacrifice of Christ, and atonement by it, which made them shout. And the court to ring with it; and yet fell down on their faces with all reverence and humility, under a sense of the divine Majesty being so near unto them, in this sensible token of his presence.
There was fire already present on the altar for these offerings. Generally, the fire under the offerings would take the period of a full day to consume the offering. This was an unusual fire then. Look in the following verse what God calls Himself.
Hebrews 12:29 "For our God[is] a consuming fire."
This fire that totally consumes this offering then is the fire of God, which came from the Holy of Holies and consumed these offerings. This very same thing happened when Solomon dedicated the great temple in Jerusalem.
2 Chronicles 7:1 "Now when Solomon had made an end of praying, the fire came down from heaven, and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the LORD filled the house."
This is the very same thing that happened to Moses, Aaron, and the people here. God was so pleased, that He overwhelmed them with His presence. His immediate consumption of the offering showed that He was greatly pleased with their offering. One more time that I think shows this same thing so strongly, is when Elijah challenged the prophets of Baal to call fire from heaven. If they had consumed the offering with fire, they would win. If Elijah's God consumed his offering, they were all to follow Elijah's God. Let us see what happened.
1 Kings 18:19-39 "Now therefore send, [and] gather to me all Israel unto mount Carmel, and the prophets of Baal four hundred and fifty, and the prophets of the groves four hundred, which eat at Jezebel's table." "So Ahab sent unto all the children of Israel, and gathered the prophets together unto mount Carmel." "And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD [be] God, follow him: but if Baal, [then] follow him. And the people answered him not a word." "Then said Elijah unto the people, I, [even] I only, remain a prophet of the LORD; but Baal's prophets [are] four hundred and fifty men." "Let them therefore give us two bullocks; and let them choose one bullock for themselves, and cut it in pieces, and lay [it] on wood, and put no fire [under]: and I will dress the other bullock, and lay [it] on wood, and put no fire [under]:" And call ye on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of the LORD: and the God that answereth by fire, let him be God. And all the people answered and said, It is well spoken." "And Elijah said unto the prophets of Baal, Choose you one bullock for yourselves, and dress [it] first; for ye [are] many; and call on the name of your gods, but put no fire [under]." "And they took the bullock which was given them, and they dressed [it], and called on the name of Baal from morning even until noon, saying, O Baal, hear us. But [there was] no voice, nor any that answered. And they leaped upon the altar which was made." "And it came to pass at noon, that Elijah mocked them, and said, Cry aloud: for he [is] a god; either he is talking, or he is pursuing, or he is in a journey, [or] peradventure he sleepeth, and must be awaked." "And they cried aloud, and cut themselves after their manner with knives and lancets, till the blood gushed out upon them." "And it came to pass, when midday was past, and they prophesied until the [time] of the offering of the [evening] sacrifice, that [there was] neither voice, nor any to answer, nor any that regarded." "And Elijah said unto all the people, Come near unto me. And all the people came near unto him. And he repaired the altar of the LORD [that was] broken down." "And Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, unto whom the word of the LORD came, saying, Israel shall be thy name:" "And with the stones he built an altar in the name of the LORD: and he made a trench about the altar, as great as would contain two measures of seed." "And he put the wood in order, and cut the bullock in pieces, and laid [him] on the wood, and said, Fill four barrels with water, and pour [it] on the burnt sacrifice, and on the wood." "And he said, Do [it] the second time. And they did [it] the second time. And he said, Do [it] the third time. And they did [it] the third time." "And the water ran round about the altar; and he filled the trench also with water." "And it came to pass at [the time of] the offering of the [evening] sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near, and said, LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou [art] God in Israel, and [that] I [am] thy servant, and [that] I have done all these things at thy word." "Hear me, O LORD, hear me, that this people may know that thou [art] the LORD God, and [that] thou hast turned their heart back again." "Then the fire of the LORD fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that [was] in the trench." "And when all the people saw [it], they fell on their faces: and they said, The LORD, he [is] the God; the LORD, he [is] the God."
The effect of the extreme presence of God is always the same. They fall on their face to worship Him. This manifestation is so great; it leaves no doubt that this is God. Read the rest of 1 Kings chapter 18 of to get the full story.
To sum up this lesson, Moses has followed God's instructions. Aaron is installed as high priest. God is pleased, and the people realize this is God's plan, and not man's plan.
Leviticus Chapter 10
Verses 1-7: "Nadab and Abihu ... his censer": The censers were fairly flat pans in which burning coals were carried. The "strange fire" has many different interpretations:
(1) Coals that were not taken from the altar as required in 16:12;
(2) Offering it at the wrong time of day (compare Exodus 30:7-9), which prohibits "strange incense";
(3) Apparently, no one except the High-Priest himself should place incense on a censer of coals and present it to God; or
(4) That Nadab and Abihu were even intoxicated, thus making the prohibition of (verse 9), significant.
Whatever the case may have been, it is clear that it was strange fire "which he commanded them not;" they certainly knew that it was in violation of God's Word. God's words "I will be sanctified in them that come nigh me, and before all the people I will be glorified", set the theme for the whole book. The whole nation was called to be holy (19:2). A clearer translation would be": Among those who approach Me I will show Myself holy; in the sight of all the people I will be honored". Any disobedience of God's commands detracted from His glory! Those who begin to approach God must know that He is "separate from everyone else" and must approach Him on His terms. Even in a time of great calamity, the priests of the Lord must set an example to the nation of strict obedience to the will of God: "and ye shall not go out from the door of the tabernacle ... lest ye die (verse 7). Nothing must be allowed to interfere with the work of the ministry.
Lev. 10:1-3 Explained
Leviticus 10:1 "And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the LORD, which he commanded them not."
"Nadab and Abihu": These were the two oldest sons of Aaron.
"His censer": The vessels in which the incense was burned in the Holy Place (its features are unknown), was to be used only for holy purposes.'
"Strange fire": Though the exact infraction is not detailed, in some way they violated the prescription of offering incense (compare Exodus 30:9, 34-38), probably because they were drunk (see verses 8-9). Instead of taking the incense fire from the brazen altar, they had some other source for the fire and thus perpetrated an act, which, considering the descent of the miraculous fire they had just seen and their solemn duty to do as God told them, betrayed carelessness, irreverence, and lack of consideration for God. Such a tendency had to be punished for all priests to see as a warning.
God's service requires the right approach to God, the right source for God's power, and the right spiritual attitude. Nadab and Abihu failed to see the mind of God and acted in self-will. The act typifies the use of carnal means to kindle fires of true devotion and praise.
The word strange, in the verse above, means profane or commit adultery. In this case, this would be spiritual adultery. Nadab and Abihu had been instructed in the things of the sanctuary along with Aaron. They knew how important it was to keep every little detail. Perhaps they were so excited by the presence of God that they forgot this training. Verse 1 above begins with an "and", which indicates that this happened at the same time as the happenings in chapter 9. We do not know where they got the fire from in the verse above. We really do not know what was wrong about the offering at all. Perhaps they had made an offering to God that only the high priest was to give. As we read on in this chapter, Aaron is warned of God not to allow anyone ministering in the sanctuary to drink alcoholic beverages. To say for sure, just what the offence was, would be an error on our part. We do know that whatever they did, it was not offered God's way. We ended the last chapter by saying that the important thing was for these offerings to be done God's way and not man's way. There is a verification of this in numbers.
Numbers 26:61 "And Nadab and Abihu died, when they offered strange fire before the LORD."
Whatever this sin was, they each committed it. The Scripture says either of them took his censer.
Leviticus 10:2 "And there went out fire from the LORD, and devoured them, and they died before the LORD."
"Went out fire": The same divine fire that accepted the sacrifices (9:24), consumed the errant priests. That was not unlike the later deaths of Uzzah (2 Sam. 6:6-7), or Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:5, 10).
God was quick in His judgement of them. He killed them. Many believe that these two priestly sons of Aaron had indulged in alcoholic beverages and were attempting to minister in the tabernacle under the influence of this alcohol. This could certainly be the case. Not only would God not let them minister in the tabernacle under the influence of alcohol, but their judgement would be greatly impaired on how they were to go about the service to the Lord. It really doesn't matter what was the problem, they were guilty of sin and God killed them. These sons of Aaron had been trained in the ways of the sanctuary, and they were without excuse. These were not just any young men, but were in authority in the tabernacle, just under Aaron. For sure, this would make a never ending impression on the onlookers. Most people want to believe in Jesus and believe He is their Savior, but very few want to acknowledge the fact that He is also Judge. The same God, who blesses if His commandments are kept, will curse if they are not kept.
Leviticus 10:3 "Then Moses said unto Aaron, This [is it] that the LORD spake, saying, I will be sanctified in them that come nigh me, and before all the people I will be glorified. And Aaron held his peace."
The experience of Nadab and Abihu is a staunch reminder that those who "come nigh" to the Lord must regard Him as "holy", for as God says, "Before all the people I will be glorified". By his silence, Aaron acknowledges that the Lord was justified in slaying his sons.
"I will be sanctified ... I will be glorified": Nadab and Abihu were guilty of violating both requirements of God's absolute standard. The priests had received repeated and solemn warnings as to the necessity of reverence before God (see Exodus 19:22; 29:44).
"Aaron held his peace": In spite of losing his two sons, he did not complain, but submitted to the righteous judgment of God.
Moses was actually the uncle of these boys, and he hated what happened to them. Moses quickly reminds Aaron that God is justified in this. This tabernacle was not to be as the world, but was to be a separate place. The high priest and his sons, the priests, were to glorify God in everything they did. They could not glorify God, unless everything was done His way. This tells us so much about how we should conduct services to God. WE CANNOT BRING THE WORLD INTO THE CHURCH.
That does not glorify God. Ministers are the only visible connection some people will ever have with God (here on the earth). Just as Aaron represented God to the people in the tabernacle then, our ministers represent God to their congregation now. The minister and his or her family, must live beyond reproach to be able to show the world Christ in them. Aaron does not speak out against what God has done, because he knows it was justified.
