MAY 26

Leviticus 10:1-3
Memorise Jeremiah 6:20
“…your burnt offerings are not acceptable…”

When Nadab and Abihu, Aaron’s two elder sons, offered “strange fire” before the Lord, they did it their own way. Today’s passage shows us the serious consequences of worshipping God in any way we like, and not obeying His instructions.

By our subjective standards, we may think that their transgression was quite small, and should not be regarded as very serious. After all, there had only taken some small liberties with the manner of worship, adding in some extra elements which were not commanded by God. While this may seem trivial and excusable in the eyes of men, it was a grave transgression in the eyes of God! The fact that they were struck dead immediately, shows that trifling with the worship of God is no small sin. God had already given them clear guidelines as to how He was to be worshipped. Through their reckless and thoughtless actions, Nadab and Abihu had shown a clear disregard for the proper worship of God, and therefore had to face the consequences of their sin.

The above brings to mind another O.T. character by the name of Uzzah who was struck dead by God for reaching out to prevent the ark from falling while it was being transported (2 Samuel 6:1-8). This was because God had commanded that no Levite was to lay a hand on the ark. Uzzah’s intention was certainly sincere, but his act was displeasing to God all the same because it was done in error. 

Worship is not subject to the whims and fancies of man, but to that which is prescribed in the Bible, and God wants us to worship Him sincerely and correctly at all times.

Many modern churches have worship services which are termed as “more contemporary” and this seems to appeal to the youth of today. They find the “old” style of worship monotonous and boring and the modern style of worship refreshing, lively and liberating. However, any style of worship is wrong if it is not based on biblical principles, and the “same old style” is the right style as long as it is biblically sound. 

Thought: Am I in God’s house to worship and please Him, or to “worship” Him and please myself? 
Prayer: O Lord, Thou art a consuming fire and a respecter of no man. Teach me how I ought to approach Thee in reverence.