Nadab and Abihu

The tabernacle had just been dedicated.

The glory of the LORD had appeared to all the people.

Fire had come out from before the LORD and consumed the burnt offering.

All the people shouted and fell on their faces.

It was an extraordinary day.

Then Nadab and Abihu, each took his censer and put fire in it and laid incense on it.

They offered unauthorized fire before the LORD.

Which he had not commanded them.

And fire came out from before the LORD and consumed them.

They died before the LORD.

Moses said to Aaron: This is what the LORD has said.

Among those who are near me I will be sanctified.

And before all the people I will be glorified.

And Aaron held his peace.

Moses called the cousins to carry the bodies out of the camp.

He told Aaron and his other two sons not to mourn.

Not to uncover their heads or tear their clothes.

Lest you die and wrath come upon all the congregation.

Your brothers may weep for the burning the LORD has kindled.

But you must not leave the entrance of the tent of meeting.

Aaron and his sons did as Moses said.

What the unauthorized fire was is debated.

Whether they were drunk — God gives a command about not drinking before entering right after this.

Whether they acted presumptuously. Whether they acted carelessly.

The text says simply: which he had not commanded them.

The proximity to the holy had perhaps dulled the weight of it.

They had been ordained. They were Aaron's sons.

They had watched fire come from God.

And they brought their own.

Aaron watched his sons carried out of the sanctuary.

He held his peace.

That silence is one of the heaviest in all of scripture.

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