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“AND AARON HELD HIS PEACE”Text: Leviticus 10:1-3 Introduction:
I. In Leviticus 8, we have an account of the consecration
of Aaron and his sons to the priest’s office for a
week.
II. The next day, in Leviticus 9, we see Aaron and his
sons enter upon the executions of their office.
III. In Leviticus 9:23-24, Moses and Aaron went into the
tabernacle of the congregation and then came out and
blessed the people, the glory of Jehovah appeared to
all the people. And fire came down from Jehovah which
consumed the burnt offerings. This caused the people
to shout and fall down.
IV. Then Aaron’s two oldest sons did something that turned
this day of joy into a day of tragedy. (read text).
V. Imagine the people’s thoughts as two men carry Nadab
and Abihu’s burnt bodies from the sanctuary.
VI. What went wrong?Body:
I. The Sin of Nadab and Abihu.
A. Offered “strange fire” (See Exodus 30:9).
1. “Strange” if not offered in the manner given in
the law.
2. Censers were right. Numbers 4:14, also the
incense. Exodus 30
3. But, the fire was wrong. It represented their
own spirit rather than God’s. Moses had been
specific in giving God’s commandments. 8:36;
9:6.
4. They despised “small things.”
a. Zechariah 4:10 – Some think everything has to
be big or not done at all. Example of Naaman.
b. God has often chosen “small” men to do His
greatest works
(1) Joseph in Egyptian prison.
(2) David, a shepherd boy.
(3) Daniel from slave to advisor to three
kings.
c. Judges 12:16 – Because they left out one
letter, 42,000 were slain.
d. Luke 16:10, James 2:10-11. God doesn’t
consider one of His commandments small.
(1) Proverbs 25:11; Matthew 10:42
(2) Numbers 15:32-36 – picking up sticks.
(3) Acts 5 – one lie.
B. They acted without direction, “Which He commanded
them not.”
1. Their crime was not doing what was forbidden,
but in doing what was not commanded.
2. Will-worship is unacceptable to God.
a. No man has the right to direct own steps on
serving God.
b. Revelation 22:18; Deuteronomy 4:2
3. This is a good lesson on the silence of God’s
word.
a. “Where does the Bible say we can’t…”
“What’s wrong with… (instrumental music,
etc.)
b. Ask: What’s RIGHT with…?
c. 2 John 9
C. They acted presumptuously.
1. If through ignorance, they could have received
forgiveness. Leviticus 4:2-3
2. Numbers 15:30 – God has never tolerated
presumption.
a. 1 Samuel 15:3, 9… (Saul) 16:23 – turned to
pride away from God.
b. 2 Samuel 6:6-7. Uzzah
D. Note: Their death NOT from stealing sacrifices,
using them selfishly (1 Samuel 2, 3). They just
presumed to act without God’s authority.
(Colossians 2:23) II. Their Punishment.
A. Verse 2. Compare 9:24. Fire which consumed the
sacrifices came same way upon them. God’s approval
on one, wrath on the other.
B. The severity of their punishment.
1. They died. Would have been bad enough to rec.
fact of – Uzziah. 2 Chronicles 26:16-21
2. They died suddenly without chance of repentance.
3. They died before the Lord. (Before the veil of
mercy seat, but they received no mercy.)
4. They died by fire, not consumed by it (verse 5).
Very same fire which would have consumed their
sacrifice. Cf. sun – trees can’t grow without
it. But if plucked up, same sun will wither it.
Cf. Gospel. 2 Corinthians 2:15-16.
5. They died childless. Numbers 3:4; 1 Chronicles
24:2. They had reproached God’s name; so He
blotted out their names. This was next to death
in their view.
C. Why was He so severe with them?
1. They showed outright contempt for God’s law.
“As the Lord commanded Moses…” “which He
commanded them not.”
2. They served as examples for others. Who tried
to offer strange fire after this?
a. Must consider God’s standpoint. He had
promised a nation to Abraham; Egyptian
bondage; released, promise land. Why: Not
just to have a nation to love, but to have a
nation through which to love all nations.
Genesis 12:3
b. Priests were set apart for specific work—
mediators between God and man.
c. Their greatest need was to live by the law of
God. But Nadab and Abihu disobeyed. This
kind of priesthood meant a corrupt nation,
wronged world. Cf. Jeremiah 6:13-14; John
1:11 – So corrupt that they rejected Christ.
3. Hebrews 8:5 – They didn’t know that their acts
were types of New Testament substance. If they
were perverted…III. Aaron’s reaction to God’s justice.
A. Verse 3 – Moses’ guidance.
1. “This is that the Lord spoke…” cf. Exodus 19:22
2. God will be sanctified either by obedience or
punishment of those that come nigh to Him
(priests).
B. Verse 3 – Aaron’s silence. What silenced him?
1. His sons deserved their death; justice done.
2. Death of his sons, even in rebellion, redounded
to the glory of God. Verse 3
a. Many would have blamed God.
b. Stefanie Powers said of Natalie Wood’s death:
“It can’t be a loving God to do this…it’s
just not fair.”
C. This shows the character of Aaron.
1. More concerned over God’s glory than His own
sons.
a. 1 Samuel 3:18
b. Matthew 10:37
2. Not allowed to mourn his son’s death. Verses 6
and 7. (Would imply dissatisfaction with God’s
judgment.)
a. Sad when children die before their parents. 1
Chronicles 24:2; Losing two at once is even
worse.
b. Sadder still when death is the result of
rebellion against God.
3. Aaron’s control is great improvement over what
happened in Exodus 32. IV. Lessons:
A. God is no respecter of persons.
1. Romans 2:6-11. If Aaron’s sons couldn’t escape…
2. Church is only area where respect of persons is
not allowed:
a. Ephesians 6:9 – masters and slaves.
b. James 2:1 – rich and poor.
c. Acts 10:34-35 – nations.
B. We must follow God’s orders exactly as He gave
them.
1. Plan of salvation. I was baptized – Why? Acts
2:38; 19:1-5.
2. In worship:
a. There was a woman in Halberton, England who
was not allowed to take communion. She
threatened to quit the church.
b. A dog was ordained by the American Fellowship
Church in Monterey, California
c. Can’t do something because “I like it”.
3. In the work of the church.
C. There is no exception from exposure to temptation.
1. Sons of the high priest, in holy place, doing
holy things, yet committed sin.
2. 1 Corinthians 10:12
D. There is more to God, than His being “love.”
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