Numbers 3:1-10: a reflection

1Now this is the history of the generations of Aaron and Moses in the day that the LORD spoke with Moses in Mount Sinai. 2These are the names of the sons of Aaron: Nadab the firstborn, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. 3These are the names of the sons of Aaron, the priests who were anointed, whom he consecrated to minister in the priest’s office. 4Nadab and Abihu died before the LORD when they offered strange fire before the LORD in the wilderness of Sinai, and they had no children. Eleazar and Ithamar ministered in the priest’s office in the presence of Aaron their father. 5The LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 6“Bring the tribe of Levi near, and set them before Aaron the priest, that they may minister to him. 7They shall keep his requirements, and the requirements of the whole congregation before the Tent of Meeting, to do the service of the tabernacle. 8They shall keep all the furnishings of the Tent of Meeting, and the obligations of the children of Israel, to do the service of the tabernacle. 9You shall give the Levites to Aaron and to his sons. They are wholly given to him on the behalf of the children of Israel. 10You shall appoint Aaron and his sons, and they shall keep their priesthood, but the stranger who comes near shall be put to death.”

As this passage recalls the sons of Aaron, it notes a sobering event: Nadab and Abihu died before the LORD when they offered unauthorized fire, fire that the LORD had not commanded. They were priests, near to God; but they approached him carelessly, on their own terms rather than his, offering what he had not commanded, and it cost them their lives. Their death stands as a warning about the reverence God's holiness requires, even from those who serve near him.

Notice what Nadab and Abihu did wrong: they approached God on their own terms, offering what he had not commanded. It was not that they refused to worship; they were priests, engaged in the service of God. But they presumed to approach the holy God carelessly, on their own terms, offering unauthorized fire, rather than reverently, as God had commanded. And their careless approach to the holy God was a grave matter. God is holy, and is not to be approached casually or on our own terms, but with reverence.

That warning about approaching God reverently, on his terms and not our own, is worth heeding. We can grow casual in how we approach God, coming to him carelessly, on our own terms, presuming on his holiness rather than reverencing it. But God is holy, and Nadab and Abihu's fate warns against approaching him casually or presumptuously. This is not to make us afraid to come to God, for through Christ we may draw near with confidence; but it is to keep our coming reverent, mindful of his holiness. Do not approach God carelessly, on your own terms, presuming on his holiness; come to him reverently, mindful that he is holy. The confidence we have through Christ to draw near does not cancel the reverence his holiness requires; approach the holy God with reverence, not casual presumption, remembering the warning of Nadab and Abihu, who approached carelessly, on their own terms, rather than reverently, as God had commanded.

Lord, this passage recalls that Nadab and Abihu died before you when they offered unauthorized fire, fire you had not commanded; they were priests, near to you, but they approached you carelessly, on their own terms, and it cost them their lives, a warning about the reverence your holiness requires. Show me what they did wrong: they approached you on their own terms, offering what you had not commanded. It was not that they refused to worship; but they presumed to approach you, the holy God, carelessly, rather than reverently, as you had commanded. Help me heed that warning. I can grow casual in how I approach you, coming carelessly, on my own terms, presuming on your holiness rather than reverencing it. But you are holy, and their fate warns against approaching you casually or presumptuously. This is not to make me afraid to come to you, for through Christ I may draw near with confidence; but it is to keep my coming reverent, mindful of your holiness. Keep me from approaching you carelessly, on my own terms; help me come to you reverently, mindful that you are holy. The confidence I have through Christ does not cancel the reverence your holiness requires; help me approach you, Lord, with reverence, not casual presumption.