Obedience that is Better than Sacrifice

“Aaron’s sons Nadab and Abihu took their censers, put fire in them and added incense; and they offered unauthorized fire before the LORD, contrary to his command. So fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed them, and they died before the LORD. Moses then said to Aaron, “This is what the LORD spoke of when he said:

   “‘Among those who approach me

   I will be proved holy;

in the sight of all the people

   I will be honored.’”

   Aaron remained silent.”

Leviticus 10:1-3

This is a hard passage of scripture. I think it would be easier to read it and move on instead of reading it and considering what it is saying. There are two things we ought not to do. First, let’s not take the easy road and just pass by it without consideration and second let’s also not try to understand what we cannot definitively understand. We cannot understand with certainty what the ‘unauthorized fire’ was that Nadab and Abihu offered.

However, here is what we do know. 

It was unauthorized.

It was contrary to the LORD’s command.

Unauthorized is defined as: lacking official approval or permission.

Contrary is defined as: opposed; altogether different

Here, then, is what we do know. Nadab and Abihu did not have permission or official approval to offer in worship to God what was opposed to and altogether different from what was prescribed by God for worship.

That sounds like a pretty good definition of disobedience.

Worship matters very much to God.

Obedience is better than sacrifice.

Even when it comes to worship.

Especially when it comes to worship.

Nadab and Abihu offered the sacrifice of unauthorized fire in direct violation to the instruction of God concerning worship. Looking at worship and, in particular, looking at sacrificial worship we understand that no

amount of sacrifice can make up for disobedience – except for one.

 The sacrifice Jesus made on the cross atoned for our sins.

That, in itself, is worthy of worship!

Nadab and Abihu offered worship that did not honor God.

May we offer worship, by His Holy Spirit, that gives God alone honor and glory.