Unauthorized Fire

     "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 Yahweh, which he had not
commanded them. And fire came out from the presence of Yahweh and consumed
them, and they died before Yahweh. Then Moses said to Aaron, 'This is what Yahweh
has said, 'I will sanctify myself among those who are near me, and I will reveal my glory
before all the people.' " (Lev. 10:1-3)

     The KJV, ASV, and NASB translated the Hebrew words es zarah as "strange fire."
The RSV and NRSV chose "unholy fire." The NIV, ESV, NET, TNIV, and HCSB
selected the rendering "unauthorized fire." The word zar has a range of meaning including
"strange, different, heterogeneous, illicit, unauthorized (person), non-Israelite, prohibited,
strange (woman), other, and peculiar." (cf. The Hebrew and Aramaic Lexicon of the
Old Testament, Ludwig Koehler and Walter Baumgartner, vol. 1, page 279.) In view
of the context, "unauthorized" is a good representation for zar in Lev. 10:1. Nadab and
Abihu learned that acting without authority brings Yahweh's displeasure! The fire they
used in their incense offering was "unauthorized" because it was that "which he had not
commanded them." They used coals from a source other than the altar. (Lev. 6:12-13;
16:12) It is also worthy of note that in chapters 8 and 9 it is stated at least eight times
that things were being done "as Yahweh commanded Moses." (Lev. 8:9,13,17,21,29,
36; 9:7,21) Things quickly changed in chapter 10. People show respect for Yahweh
when they humbly obey his commandments and are motivated by love for him.
(Deut. 11:13; Jno. 14:15; 15:14)

     Many years ago I found a comment in Lange's Commentary On The Holy
Scriptures, volume 1, Leviticus, page 82, Frederic Gardiner wrote, "At all events,
the general principle of exact conformity to the Divine commands should have prevented
Nadab and Abihu from offering "strange" or uncommanded fire before the LORD."
Gardiner's comment is simple, yet profound and it remains written in the margin of my
old ASV.

     "The general principle of exact conformity to the Divine commands" is found
throughout the sacred writings. (Deut. 4:2;12:32; Prov. 30:5-6; 1 Cor. 4:6; 1 Pet. 4:11;
Rev. 22:18-19) The principle of exact conformity to the divine will is the very reason
why faithful congregations of Christ (1) do not use mechanical instruments of music in
worship. God commands singing and making melody with the heart. (Eph. 5:19;
Col. 3:16; Heb. 2:12); (2) do not appoint women to serve as elders. The qualifications
that God gives do not allow women in such a position. (1 Tim. 3:1-7); (3) do not have
women preachers. Women are not to teach or have authority over men. (1 Tim. 2:11-12);
(4) do not have man-made missionary societies through which to do their work of
disseminating the gospel. It is the work of the congregation. (1 Tim. 3:15) and (5) do not
fund or promote political, secular, or recreational programs as a part of their work. The
congregations of Christ are to teach the gospel, provide benevolence to God's holy people,
and worship in order to glorify God and build up the members. (Phil. 4:15-17; 1 Cor. 16:2;
Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 14:26,40)

     The story of Nadab and Abihu contains some great lessons.
     (1) Authority is necessary in religion. We have no right to commence a practice,
then go to the scriptures in order to find authority "after the fact." We need to find the
authority before we act. (Matt. 28:18; Eph. 1:22; Col. 3:17; 2 Jno. 9) If there is no authority
for a teaching or practice, then don't do it. (Mat. 7:21-23)
     (2) It does matter how we worship. Nadab and Abihu had no right to add any element
to God's worship, and neither do we. When a person adds to what God says, in principle he
implies that he knows more about the matter than God knows. Such an attitude is based on
presumption and results in rebellion! (Jno. 4:24; Acts 2:42; Col. 2:16-19)
     (3) Sin has a horrific penalty. Nadab and Abihu died for their rashness. They died in
flagrant rebellion to God. Ananias and Sapphira his wife died with a lie on their tongues.
(Rev. 21:8) May we never forget that sin pays. The problem is, nobody will want to "show
up and pick up the check". (Rom. 6:23)
     (4) God shows no partiality. He has no favorites. Nadab and Abihu were the sons
of Aaron and the nephews of Moses, but that did not influence Yahweh. They violated his
will and had to pay the penalty. (Acts 10:34-35; Romans 2:11)
     (5) God is always to be preferred over family. When Aaron's sons sinned, Moses
the brother of Aaron, came to the forefront and reminded him that God is right in all that he
does! And Aaron remained silent. Too many husbands stand ready to defend their wives in
their wrong doing and vice versa. Parents defend children; children defend ungodly parents,
etc. (Lk. 14:26) Yahweh will have the last word! The injustices of this world will be judged!
     (6) Silence does not give consent in religion. Just because God did not tell Nadab
and Abihu "You shall not use other coals/fire in your incense offering," did not give them the
right to do so. They should have done as they were told; "take coals of fire from the altar
before Yahweh." (Lev.6:8-13; 16:12) They did what Yahweh had not commanded them to
do. We are to do what Yahweh says, not what he does not say. How can a person do what
God has not told them to do, and know that they are right when they do it? No one can know
that he is pleasing God unless God tells him so, and God will not tell him so except in his
revelation, the word of truth. (1 Cor. 2:10-13)

                                                                                                                     RD

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