In my studies in Leviticus, where the laws of Moses are delivered and all directions of how to do burnt offering, peace offering, and sin offering are given, an interesting short snippet I thought to share.
So there are pages and pages of direction God has explained to Moses, who gives in great and very careful detail to Aaron and his sons on how everything is to be done. They just can’t get it wrong. How to make God happy is to simply follow direction.
The Sin of Nadab and Abihu from Leviticus 10
- And the two sons of Aaron, Nadab and Abiud, took each his censer, and put fire therein, and threw incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the Lord, which the Lord did not command them. 2. And fire came forth from the Lord and devoured them, and they died before the Lord.
The Hebrew word translated “strange” means “unauthorized, foreign, or profane.” God not only rejected their sacrifice; He found it so offensive that He consumed the two men with fire.
I feel it is important to note they have recently escaped from Egypt, where the entire race has been ruled by fallen sons of God. The strange fire is a magic, sorcery trick and the worst possible choice to defy God’s instructions with. God has absolutely no tolerance for this blatant disobedience and smote them.
This is consistent also with the story in the Book of Enoch.
Book of 3 Enoch, the Song-Uttering Choirs are angels residing in the fifth heaven (Makon) who are consumed by fire if they fail to perform the Trisagion at the right time. These angels, who frequently sing praises to God, are under the direction of Tagas, the angel of music, and include twelve specific orders such as the Shalishim (Captains) and Malakhim (Messengers).
This may in some way appear strange, but look at this idea of free will and defying the beauty and perfection God has laid out for us to do and enjoy. Earlier in my life, I had the privilege of singing major works in amazing choirs. I would become ecstatic, feeling the glory and joy of heaven, of God’s very presence coming through the unison voices. I remember my choir director once stopping the choir – who did that? He was starting us on one of these incredible pieces, and everyone was a millisecond late, except yours truly. He had us do it a few times. Everyone pointed to me – she did it, it was her! Only to discover I was the one who was coming in at the perfect time. No smiting happening in the senior choir, but in that one instant, I could be perfected with the music and acknowledged for perfect timing.
God is faithful, He is consistent, and really there are no surprises. He tells you what will happen if in His law you are disobedient, and then does what He has promised. The same is true with the rewards. Great and many are the blessings!
