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Summary

Leviticus 10:1–3 – Unauthorized fire and holy judgment

What happens: Nadab and Abihu offer unauthorized fire before the Lord, which he did not command. Fire comes out and consumes them; Moses reminds Aaron that God shows himself holy among those near him.

What it means: God’s holiness cannot be treated lightly or creatively. Worship must be according to God’s word, revealing his justice and the weight of drawing near.


Leviticus 10:4–7 – Proper response and restraint

What happens: Cousins carry the bodies outside the camp, and Aaron and his other sons must not mourn publicly. The people mourn, but the priests remain at their post.

What it means: Priestly duty continues even in grief. God’s service requires obedience and submission, trusting his righteous judgments.


Leviticus 10:8–11 – Priestly sobriety and teaching role

What happens: God commands priests not to drink wine or strong drink when serving, so they can distinguish holy from common and teach Israel all statutes. This is a lasting rule.

What it means: Clarity and self-control are essential for spiritual leadership. God wants leaders who guard holiness and instruct his people faithfully.


Leviticus 10:12–20 – Handling of holy portions and discernment

What happens: Moses instructs them about eating holy portions, but the sin offering goat is burned instead of eaten. Aaron explains their grief and unique circumstances; Moses approves the reasoning.

What it means: Obedience includes wise discernment, not mere ritual. God values hearts that fear him and apply his law with integrity and humility.


Application

  • Treat God’s holiness with reverent obedience.
  • Lead with sobriety, clarity, and faithful teaching.
  • Serve God even in sorrow, trusting his justice.
  • Practice obedient discernment, seeking God’s heart as you keep his word.

Bible

1And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the LORD, which he commanded them not.

2And there went out fire from the LORD, and devoured them, and they died before the LORD.

3Then Moses said unto Aaron, This is it that the LORD spake, saying, I will be sanctified in them that come nigh me, and before all the people I will be glorified. And Aaron held his peace.

4And Moses called Mishael and Elzaphan, the sons of Uzziel the uncle of Aaron, and said unto them, Come near, carry your brethren from before the sanctuary out of the camp.

5So they went near, and carried them in their coats out of the camp; as Moses had said.

6And Moses said unto Aaron, and unto Eleazar and unto Ithamar, his sons, Uncover not your heads, neither rend your clothes; lest ye die, and lest wrath come upon all the people: but let your brethren, the whole house of Israel, bewail the burning which the LORD hath kindled.

7And ye shall not go out from the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, lest ye die: for the anointing oil of the LORD is upon you. And they did according to the word of Moses.

8And the LORD spake unto Aaron, saying,

9Do not drink wine nor strong drink, thou, nor thy sons with thee, when ye go into the tabernacle of the congregation, lest ye die: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations:

10And that ye may put difference between holy and unholy, and between unclean and clean;

11And that ye may teach the children of Israel all the statutes which the LORD hath spoken unto them by the hand of Moses.

12And Moses spake unto Aaron, and unto Eleazar and unto Ithamar, his sons that were left, Take the meat offering that remaineth of the offerings of the LORD made by fire, and eat it without leaven beside the altar: for it is most holy:

13And ye shall eat it in the holy place, because it is thy due, and thy sons' due, of the sacrifices of the LORD made by fire: for so I am commanded.

14And the wave breast and heave shoulder shall ye eat in a clean place; thou, and thy sons, and thy daughters with thee: for they be thy due, and thy sons' due, which are given out of the sacrifices of peace offerings of the children of Israel.

15The heave shoulder and the wave breast shall they bring with the offerings made by fire of the fat, to wave it for a wave offering before the LORD; and it shall be thine, and thy sons' with thee, by a statute for ever; as the LORD hath commanded.

16And Moses diligently sought the goat of the sin offering, and, behold, it was burnt: and he was angry with Eleazar and Ithamar, the sons of Aaron which were left alive, saying,

17Wherefore have ye not eaten the sin offering in the holy place, seeing it is most holy, and God hath given it you to bear the iniquity of the congregation, to make atonement for them before the LORD?

18Behold, the blood of it was not brought in within the holy place: ye should indeed have eaten it in the holy place, as I commanded.

19And Aaron said unto Moses, Behold, this day have they offered their sin offering and their burnt offering before the LORD; and such things have befallen me: and if I had eaten the sin offering to day, should it have been accepted in the sight of the LORD?

20And when Moses heard that, he was content.

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