Tragedy strikes before the priests have even finished their postrequisite duties, such as eating their portions. Two sons of Aaron offer incense to the Lord with unauthorized fire, rather than the divinely lit altar fire (cf. Lev. 16:12). Thus, they put human power in place of divine power, failing to glorify the Lord as holy (see 10:3). Ministering with kindling ignited by humans is unacceptable to God, and the same kind of divine fire that has favorably consumed the altar sacrifices now consumes Nadab and Abihu (10:1–2). The Lord’s presence is an awesome force, like a nuclear reactor. His protocols had to be carried out to the letter if he were to dwell among faulty, mortal people without destroying them. Priestly failure in this regard could affect the safety and well-being of the peop…