Nadab and Abihu committed the sin of offering unauthorized, or "strange," fire before the Lord for burning fragrant incense.
The Nature of Their Transgression
As sons of Aaron and priests themselves, Nadab and Abihu were responsible for performing sacred duties in the tabernacle. Their specific transgression involved a direct violation of God's commanded protocol for worship and offerings. When they approached to burn fragrant incense, they did not use the fire that the Lord had specifically kindled and commanded for this purpose. Instead, they took their censers and used a different, unapproved fire.
Key aspects of their sin include:
- Using a "different fire": The fire they used was not the one divinely ordained for the ritual of burning incense.
- A "strange fire": This implies it was unauthorized, inappropriate, or perhaps profane in the context of their sacred duties.
- Disregard for divine command: They acted contrary to the explicit instructions given by the Lord regarding the type of fire to be used for this specific religious ceremony.
Their action was a direct challenge to the holiness and specific commands of God concerning worship. It was a failure to distinguish between the holy and the common, between what was commanded and what was forbidden in the sacred space.
Immediate Divine Judgment
For this grave sin of offering unauthorized fire, a swift and severe consequence followed. A fire came directly from heaven and consumed Nadab and Abihu in front of the assembled congregation. This immediate divine judgment underscored the gravity of their transgression and the importance of adhering strictly to God's commands in matters of worship and religious service. Their deaths served as a powerful lesson on the necessity of reverent obedience to divine instructions, especially for those in positions of spiritual leadership.
