Big Idea: We must respect the holiness of God.

Understanding the Text

In Leviticus 8–9 the priests have been ordained and sacrificial worship has been initiated with “Aaron and his sons [doing] everything the Lord commanded through Moses” (Lev. 8:36; see also 8:9, 13, 17, 21, 36; 9:10, 21). God shows his pleasure by sending fire to consume the offering on the altar while the people shout for joy (Lev. 9:24). Everything has gone beautifully. But in Leviticus 10 the opposite takes place. Nadab and Abihu worship “contrary to [God’s] command” (Lev. 10:1), and God shows his displeasure by sending fire to consume Nadab and Abihu (Lev. 10:2–3), causing Aaron to become silent and the people to mourn (Lev. 10:3, 6). Thus obedience has changed to disobedience; shouts of joy have turned into silenc…