|
After the dedication of the tabernacle, the priests were consecrated to their sacred office. . . .
But soon afterward a sudden and terrible calamity fell upon the family of the high priest. At the hour of worship, as the prayers and praise of the people were ascending to God, two of the sons of Aaron took each his censer and burned fragrant incense thereon, to rise as a sweet odor before the Lord. But they transgressed His command by the use of "strange fire." For burning the incense they took common instead of the sacred fire which God Himself had kindled, and which He had commanded to be used for this purpose. PP 359.
And there went out fire from the Lord, and devoured them, and they died before the Lord. . . . And Moses called Mishael and Elzaphan, . . . and said unto them, Come near, carry your brethren from before the sanctuary out of the camp. So they went near, and carried them in their coats out of the camp. . . And Moses said unto Aaron, and unto Eleazar and unto Ithamar, his sons, Uncover not your heads, neither rend your clothes; lest ye die. Lev. 10:2-6.
Aaron was silent. The death of his sons, cut down without warning, in so terrible a sin--a sin which he now saw to be the result of his own neglect of duty--wrung the father's heart with anguish, but he gave his feelings no expression. By no manifestation of grief must he seem to sympathize with sin. . . .
The Lord would teach His people to acknowledge the justice of His corrections, that others may fear. . . .
Nadab and Abihu would never have committed that fatal sin had they not first become partially intoxicated by the free use of wine. PP 361.
Nadab and Abihu were slain by the fire of God's wrath for their intemperance in the use of wine. RH 6-6-1899.
God has placed in His word no command which men may obey or disobey at will and not suffer the consequences. If men choose any other path than that of strict obedience, they will find that "the end thereof are the ways of death." Proverbs 14:12. PP 360, 361.
|