And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the LORD, which he commanded them not. And there went out fire from the LORD, and devoured them, and they died before the LORD. Leviticus 10:1-2 KJV
What a horrible contrast these two verses are to the previous two verses. There, the fire of the Lord went out in acceptance, here, the fire of the LORD goes out in judgment. The action of Nadab and Abihu is baffling. They had experienced great privileges and position with God, and yet, they willfully sinned against Him. They sought to approach Him with fire other than from the altar of His acceptable sacrifice. How important it is that we understand there is only one altar and one sacrifice by which we may approach God. Jesus Christ is that altar and sacrifice. To approach God by any other means is to experience Him as a consuming fire. May we always approach God on His terms alone.
Lord, help me to always be mindful of the privilege and position I enjoy with You because of Your sacrifice on the Cross. Help me not to take it for granted so that I before careless or willfully sinful before You. May others see by my actions that there is only one acceptable way to approach You.
