Nadab and Abihu: Exploring the Fatal Consequences of Unauthorized Worship

While the Bible is full of many stories of obedience and disobedience, one story that stands out among many is that of Nadab and Abihu, because they had privileges that other Israelites did not have in the house of God.

The story of Nadab and Abihu may seem distant and irrelevant to our modern lives, but it holds a valuable lesson for us as Christians, about the importance of obedience and following God’s commands. I will explore this story in depth to give an understanding of how it relates to our obedience as Christians today.

Also, check out these recommended bible study resources for a better understanding of the Old Testament books: Epic of the Eden, Manners and customs of bible times and The Kregel Pictorial Guide to the Old Testament.

Who Were Nadab and Abihu?

Nadab and Abihu were the sons of Aaron, the first high priest of Israel. They were also appointed as priests (since they were sons of Aaron) and had a crucial role in the worship and sacrifices of the Israelites. We learn more about their role as priests in the book of Leviticus, which outlines the laws and regulations for worship and religious ceremonies for the whole Israelite community.

Brief Overview of Their Role as Priests

The priests were the ones responsible for carrying out the instructions of worship and other religious ceremonies. For instance, as priests, Nadab and Abihu were in charge of offering sacrifices and incense before the Lord, as well as performing other duties in the tabernacle. They held a significant position in the community of Israel and were expected to carry out their duties with reverence and obedience, since they were the only ones allowed to enter the Holy of hollies.

How Nadab and Abihu’s actions Led to their Death

Nadab and Abihu made a grave mistake while performing their duties. The bible reads in Leviticus 10:1-3, “Now Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, each took his censer and put fire in it and laid incense on it and offered unauthorized fire before the Lord, which he had not commanded them. And fire came out from before the Lord and consumed them, and they died before the Lord. Then Moses said to Aaron, “This is what the Lord has said: “Among those who are near me I will be sanctified, and before all the people I will be glorified.” And Aaron held his peace.”

The Sin of Nadab and Abihu as The Priests

It is clear from the passage that Nadab and Abihu’s sin was to offer that which was not commanded by God. Nadab and Abihu took advantage of their position as priests, and they failed to take and obey God’s commands as they are, and their consequences were severe. Today we have a High Priest, our Lord Jesus Christ who is Holy and blameless. He offered one sacrifice that is Holy and acceptable to God once and for all, and he is able to save forever those who come to God through him and continually lives to make intercession for us (Hebrews 7:25-27).

The Relevance of Nadab and Abihu’s Role to Christians Today

Who Are We as Believers in Christ?

As Christians, through our Lord Jesus Christ we are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that we may declare the praises of him who called us out of darkness into his wonderful light. (1 Peter 2:9). Being the chosen people means that God has set us as believers apart for a unique purpose and calling.

God has given those who believe special privileges which unbelievers don’t have. Just like Aaron and his sons were given a special privilege to enter the Holy of hollies, we have also been granted access through our Lord Jesus to come boldly to the throne of grace where we can find mercy and grace in times of need (Hebrews 4:16). Over and above that, in Matthew 5:13-14, Jesus gave us a clear picture of who we are in this world, he says we are the salt and the light of this world.

Our Responsibility as the Royal Priesthood

Accordingly, as the sons of God, the royal priesthood and Christ being the High Priest and our living stone, our responsibility is to partake in the building of the church by offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ (1 Peter 2:5). What this means is that we offer spiritual sacrifices for all the people and give to God through our Lord Jesus (the High Priest in Hebrews 4:14-16), and we take from God through Jesus (The Word of God in Revelation 19:13) and give to the people.

These spiritual sacrifices that we offer to God include our prayers and our bodies. The bible says in Psalm 141:2 and in Revelation 5:8 that our prayers are like incense to God. We have a responsibility to offer to God in Jesus name, our prayers for all the people (including lost souls, our enemies, leaders, teachers of the word, our families, etc.) as the scripture say in Ephesians 6:18-20.

We also have a responsibility to offer up our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God (Romans 12:1). This means that as God’s chosen people, we are called to live lives that reflect holiness and godliness that God may be glorified. Our conduct should align with the moral standards outlined in God’s Word.  We must strive to be salt and light in a world that desperately needs the trans-formative power of Christ.

The Relevance of Nadab and Abihu’s Actions to our Obedience Today

Nadab and Abihu’s actions serve as a warning to us today. It is a reminder that God’s commands are not suggestions, but rather they are instructions that we are expected to follow. When we pray we need to pray according to the will of God, and as faithful ambassadors of God we cannot pray for things that are outside the will of God. For instance, we cannot pray for the death of our enemies when the word of God says in Matthew 5:43-45 that we must pray for those that persecute us. It would be like presenting a strange fire to God.

Additionally, presenting our bodies as a living sacrifice to God means we need to walk as true ambassadors of Christ. When people come in contact with us as the salt and light of this world they need to taste the goodness of God (Psalm 34:8) and come towards the light of God as a result. As a result, in whatever that we do, we must resist any temptations that will make us deviate from the commands of God, as this will compromise the image of God. For instance, we cannot be found amongst the people who offer bribes to get business deals, and claim to be doing it for the advancement of the kingdom of God. When we offer the profits from such dodgy dealings, it is like presenting strange fire to God as this is against the word of God.

Importance of Obedience in the Bible

Throughout the Bible, we see the importance of obedience to God’s commands in order to maintain a good fellowship with God, and to live a rewarding life. Deuteronomy 28 teaches us that obedience leads to blessings, while disobedience leads to consequences. The Bible is full of examples of obedience, from Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice Isaac to Jesus’ obedience to the Father’s plan for salvation.

Final Thoughts on the Importance of following God’s commands

These examples teach us that obedience is not always easy, but it is necessary to maintain our relationship with God. We can learn from their faith and trust in God’s plan, even when it seems difficult or unclear. We must always remember that disobedience not only brings consequences, but it also breaks our relationship with God which leads to spiritual death.

On the other hand, when we obey God, we experience His blessings and favor. Psalm 119:165 says, “Great peace have those who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble.” When we obey God, we experience peace and joy, and we are able to avoid the pitfalls that come with disobedience.

In Conclusion

The story of Nadab and Abihu is a powerful reminder of the importance of obedience to God’s commands. It teaches us that disobedience brings consequences and breaks our relationship with God. It also reminds us of the importance of reverence and respect for God, as well as the importance of obedience even in the smallest details.

As we seek to follow God’s commands in our daily lives, may we be reminded of the story of Nadab and Abihu and the lessons that we can learn from their actions. May we choose to obey God in every area of our lives, knowing that obedience brings blessings and favor from Him.