One Last Chance: Nadab and Abihu

The children of Israel rebelled against God.  However, Aaron dealt with this rebellion in his own home. Aaron and his wife had four sons.  Aaron and

Nadab and Abihu offered sacrifices to God different from what God prescribed

his sons were the first priest appointed by God.

His two oldest sons were Nadab and Abihu.  These sons knew God was real.  They even accompanied Moses and Aaron up Mount Sinai.

While on Mount Sinai they “saw” God and even shared a meal in His presence.

God outlined what was a proper sacrifice.  This included Aaron presenting all offerings.  God would then send His fire to consume the sacrifice.

Nadab and Abihu decided to offer the sacrifice themselves, but to God this was profanity.  Leviticus 10 tells us “they took their censors, put fire in them and added incense; and they offered unauthorized fire before the Lord, contrary to his command.”

God was angry, sent a fire out and consumed the men and they died.  Moses told Aaron that God said, “…in the sight of all the people I will be honored.” {Leviticus 10:3}

Aaron and his sons were not allowed to mourn for the dead, although the rest of the Israelites were.

So what can we learn?

1. Even those that walk with God can falter
   

   God consumed them by fire

2. Even those with godly parents can rebel
3. God does not like to be defiled
4. God’s wrath is swift
5. One small act can ruin everything
6. We can easily presume God wants something He doesn’t
7. There was no excuse for the profanity against God
8. We often know better, but still persist in our sin
9. Their actions were unforgiveable
10. The act of worship is Holy
11. Not all worship pleases God
12. God means what He says

For others in the One Last Chance Series:

Adam and Eve, Cain, Sodom and Gomorrah, Lot’s Wife, Er and Onan, The Israelite Children, Korah

For the Second Chances series:

Old Testament: Jonah, Job,  Samson, Rahab, David and Bathsheba, Moses, Joseph, and  Jacob

New Testament: Zacchaeus, Woman Caught in Adultery, The Prodigal Son, The Thief on the Cross, Saul to Paul, John Mark, and Peter