Chapter 31—The Sin of Nadab and Abihu
.
After the dedication of the tabernacle, the priests were consecrated to their sacred office. These services occupied seven days, each marked by special ceremonies. On the eighth day they entered upon their ministration. Assisted by his sons, Aaron offered the sacrifices that God required, and he lifted up his hands and blessed the people. All had been done as God commanded, and He accepted the sacrifice, and revealed His glory in a remarkable manner; fire came from the Lord and consumed the offering upon the altar. The people looked upon this wonderful manifestation of divine power with awe and intense interest. They saw in it a token of God's glory and favor, and they raised a universal shout of praise and adoration and fell on their faces as if in the immediate presence of Jehovah.
PP 359.1
But soon afterward a sudden and terrible calamity fell upon the family of the high priest. At the hour of worship, as the prayers and praise of the people were ascending to God, two of the sons of Aaron took each his censer and burned fragrant incense thereon, to rise as a sweet odor before the Lord. But they transgressed His command by the use of “strange fire.” For burning the incense they took common instead of the sacred fire which God Himself had kindled, and which He had commanded to be used for this purpose. For this sin a fire went out from the Lord and devoured them in the sight of the people.
PP 359.2
Next to Moses and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu had stood highest in Israel. They had been especially honored by the Lord, having been permitted with the seventy elders to behold His glory in the mount. But their transgression was not therefore to be excused or lightly regarded. All this rendered their sin more grievous. Because men have received great light, because they have, like the princes of Israel, ascended to the mount, and been privileged to have communion with God, and to dwell in the light of His glory, let them not flatter themselves that they can afterward sin with impunity, that because they have been thus honored, God will not be strict to punish their iniquity. This is a fatal deception. The great light and privileges bestowed require returns of virtue and holiness corresponding to the light given. Anything short of this, God cannot accept. Great blessings or privileges should never lull to security or carelessness. They should never give license to sin or cause the recipients to feel that God will not be exact with them. All the advantages which God has given are His means to throw ardor into the spirit, zeal into effort, and vigor into the carrying out of His holy will.
PP 359.3
Nadab and Abihu had not in their youth been trained to habits of self-control. The father's yielding disposition, his lack of firmness for right, had led him to neglect the discipline of his children. His sons had been permitted to follow inclination. Habits of self-indulgence, long cherished, obtained a hold upon them which even the responsibility of the most sacred office had not power to break. They had not been taught to respect the authority of their father, and they did not realize the necessity of exact obedience to the requirements of God. Aaron's mistaken indulgence of his sons prepared them to become the subjects of the divine judgments.
PP 360.1
God designed to teach the people that they must approach Him with reverence and awe, and in His own appointed manner. He cannot accept partial obedience. It was not enough that in this solemn season of worship nearly everything was done as He had directed. God has pronounced a curse upon those who depart from His commandments, and put no difference between common and holy things. He declares by the prophet: “Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness! ... woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight! ... which justify the wicked for reward, and take away the righteousness of the righteous from him! ... They have cast away the law of the Lord of hosts, and despised the word of the Holy One of Israel.” Isaiah 5:20-24. Let no one deceive himself with the belief that a part of God's commandments are nonessential, or that He will accept a substitute for that which He has required. Said the prophet Jeremiah, “Who is he that saith, and it cometh to pass, when the Lord commandeth it not?” Lamentations 3:37. God has placed in His word no command which men may obey or disobey at will and not suffer the consequences. If men choose any other path than that of strict obedience, they will find that “the end thereof are the ways of death.” Proverbs 14:12.
PP 360.2
“Moses said unto Aaron, and unto Eleazar and unto Ithamar, his sons, Uncover not your heads, neither rend your clothes; lest ye die, ... for the anointing oil of the Lord is upon you.” The great leader reminded his brother of the words of God, “I will be sanctified in them that come nigh Me, and before all the people I will be glorified.” Aaron was silent. The death of his sons, cut down without warning, in so terrible a sin—a sin which he now saw to be the result of his own neglect of duty—wrung the father's heart with anguish, but he gave his feelings no expression. By no manifestation of grief must he seem to sympathize with sin. The congregation must not be led to murmur against God.
PP 361.1
The Lord would teach His people to acknowledge the justice of His corrections, that others may fear. There were those in Israel whom the warning of this terrible judgment might save from presuming upon God's forbearance until they, too, should seal their own destiny. The divine rebuke is upon that false sympathy for the sinner which endeavors to excuse his sin. It is the effect of sin to deaden the moral perceptions, so that the wrongdoer does not realize the enormity of transgression, and without the convicting power of the Holy Spirit he remains in partial blindness to his sin. It is the duty of Christ's servants to show these erring ones their peril. Those who destroy the effect of the warning by blinding the eyes of sinners to the real character and results of sin often flatter themselves that they thus give evidence of their charity; but they are working directly to oppose and hinder the work of God's Holy Spirit; they are lulling the sinner to rest on the brink of destruction; they are making themselves partakers in his guilt and incurring a fearful responsibility for his impenitence. Many, many, have gone down to ruin as the result of this false and deceptive sympathy.
PP 361.2
Nadab and Abihu would never have committed that fatal sin had they not first become partially intoxicated by the free use of wine. They understood that the most careful and solemn preparation was necessary before presenting themselves in the sanctuary, where the divine Presence was manifested; but by intemperance they were disqualified for their holy office. Their minds became confused and their moral perceptions dulled so that they could not discern the difference between the sacred and the common. To Aaron and his surviving sons was given the warning: “Do 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 forever throughout your generations: and that ye may put difference between holy and unholy, and between unclean and clean; and that ye may teach the children of Israel all the statutes which the Lord hath spoken.” The use of spirituous liquors has the effect to weaken the body, confuse the mind, and debase the morals. It prevents men from realizing the sacredness of holy things or the binding force of God's requirements. All who occupied positions of sacred responsibility were to be men of strict temperance, that their minds might be clear to discriminate between right and wrong, that they might possess firmness of principle, and wisdom to administer justice and to show mercy.
PP 361.3
The same obligation rests upon every follower of Christ. The apostle Peter declares, “Ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people.” 1 Peter 2:9. We are required by God to preserve every power in the best possible condition, that we may render acceptable service to our Creator. When intoxicants are used, the same effects will follow as in the case of those priests of Israel. The conscience will lose its sensibility to sin, and a process of hardening to iniquity will most certainly take place, till the common and the sacred will lose all difference of significance. How can we then meet the standard of the divine requirements?” “Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” 1 Corinthians 6:19, 20. “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31. To the church of Christ in all ages is addressed the solemn and fearful warning, “If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.” 1 Corinthians 3:17.
PP 362.1
84
PP
Patriarchs and Prophets
[{"para_id":"84.4","title":"Patriarchs and Prophets","mp3":"\/mp3\/84\/0001_eng_m_patriarchs_and_prophets_84_4.mp3#duration=221&size=1900814"},{"para_id":"84.17","title":"Introduction","mp3":"\/mp3\/84\/0003_eng_m_introduction_84_17.mp3#duration=1526&size=12341576"},{"para_id":"84.68","title":"Chapter 1\u2014Why was Sin Permitted?","mp3":"\/mp3\/84\/0005_eng_m_chapter_1_why_was_sin_permitted_84_68.mp3#duration=1762&size=14227219"},{"para_id":"84.117","title":"Chapter 2\u2014The Creation","mp3":"\/mp3\/84\/0006_eng_m_chapter_2_the_creation_84_117.mp3#duration=1281&size=10382444"},{"para_id":"84.155","title":"Chapter 3\u2014The Temptation and Fall","mp3":"\/mp3\/84\/0007_eng_m_chapter_3_the_temptation_and_fall_84_155.mp3#duration=1786&size=14422976"},{"para_id":"84.215","title":"Chapter 4\u2014The Plan of Redemption","mp3":"\/mp3\/84\/0008_eng_m_chapter_4_the_plan_of_redemption_84_215.mp3#duration=1310&size=10608266"},{"para_id":"84.254","title":"Chapter 5\u2014Cain and Abel Tested","mp3":"\/mp3\/84\/0009_eng_m_chapter_5_cain_and_abel_tested_84_254.mp3#duration=1101&size=8941609"},{"para_id":"84.289","title":"Chapter 6\u2014Seth and Enoch","mp3":"\/mp3\/84\/0010_eng_m_chapter_6_seth_and_enoch_84_289.mp3#duration=1564&size=12646761"},{"para_id":"84.336","title":"Chapter 7\u2014The Flood","mp3":"\/mp3\/84\/0011_eng_m_chapter_7_the_flood_84_336.mp3#duration=2163&size=17434964"},{"para_id":"84.399","title":"Chapter 8\u2014After the Flood","mp3":"\/mp3\/84\/0012_eng_m_chapter_8_after_the_flood_84_399.mp3#duration=984&size=8006443"},{"para_id":"84.428","title":"Chapter 9\u2014The Literal Week","mp3":"\/mp3\/84\/0013_eng_m_chapter_9_the_literal_week_84_428.mp3#duration=980&size=7968201"},{"para_id":"84.454","title":"Chapter 10\u2014The Tower of Babel","mp3":"\/mp3\/84\/0014_eng_m_chapter_10_the_tower_of_babel_84_454.mp3#duration=988&size=8038095"},{"para_id":"84.488","title":"Chapter 11\u2014The Call of Abraham","mp3":"\/mp3\/84\/0015_eng_m_chapter_11_the_call_of_abraham_84_488.mp3#duration=1131&size=9182331"},{"para_id":"84.517","title":"Chapter 12\u2014Abraham in Canaan","mp3":"\/mp3\/84\/0016_eng_m_chapter_12_abraham_in_canaan_84_517.mp3#duration=2173&size=17519260"},{"para_id":"84.584","title":"Chapter 13\u2014The Test of Faith","mp3":"\/mp3\/84\/0017_eng_m_chapter_13_the_test_of_faith_84_584.mp3#duration=1597&size=12909663"},{"para_id":"84.632","title":"Chapter 14\u2014Destruction of Sodom","mp3":"\/mp3\/84\/0018_eng_m_chapter_14_destruction_of_sodom_84_632.mp3#duration=2249&size=18126883"},{"para_id":"84.697","title":"Chapter 15\u2014The Marriage of Isaac","mp3":"\/mp3\/84\/0019_eng_m_chapter_15_the_marriage_of_isaac_84_697.mp3#duration=958&size=7796822"},{"para_id":"84.729","title":"Chapter 16\u2014Jacob and Esau","mp3":"\/mp3\/84\/0020_eng_m_chapter_16_jacob_and_esau_84_729.mp3#duration=907&size=7383942"},{"para_id":"84.758","title":"Chapter 17\u2014Jacob's Flight and Exile","mp3":"\/mp3\/84\/0021_eng_m_chapter_17_jacob_s_flight_and_exile_84_758.mp3#duration=1524&size=12322458"},{"para_id":"84.813","title":"Chapter 18\u2014The Night of Wrestling","mp3":"\/mp3\/84\/0022_eng_m_chapter_18_the_night_of_wrestling_84_813.mp3#duration=1139&size=9239501"},{"para_id":"84.852","title":"Chapter 19\u2014The Return to Canaan","mp3":"\/mp3\/84\/0023_eng_m_chapter_19_the_return_to_canaan_84_852.mp3#duration=1463&size=11835904"},{"para_id":"84.901","title":"Chapter 20\u2014Joseph in Egypt","mp3":"\/mp3\/84\/0024_eng_m_chapter_20_joseph_in_egypt_84_901.mp3#duration=1468&size=11871985"},{"para_id":"84.945","title":"Chapter 21\u2014Joseph and His Brothers","mp3":"\/mp3\/84\/0025_eng_m_chapter_21_joseph_and_his_brothers_84_945.mp3#duration=2849&size=22924300"},{"para_id":"84.1042","title":"Chapter 22\u2014Moses","mp3":"\/mp3\/84\/0026_eng_m_chapter_22_moses_84_1042.mp3#duration=2215&size=17850740"},{"para_id":"84.1118","title":"Chapter 23\u2014The Plagues of Egypt","mp3":"\/mp3\/84\/0027_eng_m_chapter_23_the_plagues_of_egypt_84_1118.mp3#duration=2248&size=18117351"},{"para_id":"84.1195","title":"Chapter 24\u2014The Passover","mp3":"\/mp3\/84\/0028_eng_m_chapter_24_the_passover_84_1195.mp3#duration=879&size=7160131"},{"para_id":"84.1225","title":"Chapter 25\u2014The Exodus","mp3":"\/mp3\/84\/0029_eng_m_chapter_25_the_exodus_84_1225.mp3#duration=1265&size=10252263"},{"para_id":"84.1270","title":"Chapter 26\u2014From the Red Sea to Sinai","mp3":"\/mp3\/84\/0030_eng_m_chapter_26_from_the_red_sea_to_sinai_84_1270.mp3#duration=1748&size=14119371"},{"para_id":"84.1328","title":"Chapter 27\u2014The Law Given to Israel","mp3":"\/mp3\/84\/0031_eng_m_chapter_27_the_law_given_to_israel_84_1328.mp3#duration=1924&size=15525318"},{"para_id":"84.1403","title":"Chapter 28\u2014Idolatry at Sinai","mp3":"\/mp3\/84\/0032_eng_m_chapter_28_idolatry_at_sinai_84_1403.mp3#duration=2261&size=18221900"},{"para_id":"84.1479","title":"Chapter 29\u2014Satan's Enmity Against the Law","mp3":"\/mp3\/84\/0033_eng_m_chapter_29_satan_s_enmity_against_the_law_84_1479.mp3#duration=1959&size=15801919"},{"para_id":"84.1538","title":"Chapter 30\u2014The Tabernacle and Its Services","mp3":"\/mp3\/84\/0034_eng_m_chapter_30_the_tabernacle_and_its_services_84_1538.mp3#duration=2195&size=17690270"},{"para_id":"84.1614","title":"Chapter 31\u2014The Sin of Nadab and Abihu","mp3":"\/mp3\/84\/0035_eng_m_chapter_31_the_sin_of_nadab_and_abihu_84_1614.mp3#duration=681&size=5576106"},{"para_id":"84.1631","title":"Chapter 32\u2014The Law and the Covenants","mp3":"\/mp3\/84\/0036_eng_m_chapter_32_the_law_and_the_covenants_84_1631.mp3#duration=1837&size=14831364"},{"para_id":"84.1687","title":"Chapter 33\u2014From Sinai to Kadesh","mp3":"\/mp3\/84\/0037_eng_m_chapter_33_from_sinai_to_kadesh_84_1687.mp3#duration=1982&size=15988920"},{"para_id":"84.1755","title":"Chapter 34\u2014The Twelve Spies","mp3":"\/mp3\/84\/0038_eng_m_chapter_34_the_twelve_spies_84_1755.mp3#duration=1229&size=9964295"},{"para_id":"84.1797","title":"Chapter 35\u2014The Rebellion of Korah","mp3":"\/mp3\/84\/0039_eng_m_chapter_35_the_rebellion_of_korah_84_1797.mp3#duration=1770&size=14292746"},{"para_id":"84.1859","title":"Chapter 36\u2014In the Wilderness","mp3":"\/mp3\/84\/0040_eng_m_chapter_36_in_the_wilderness_84_1859.mp3#duration=752&size=6145958"},{"para_id":"84.1887","title":"Chapter 37\u2014The Smitten Rock","mp3":"\/mp3\/84\/0041_eng_m_chapter_37_the_smitten_rock_84_1887.mp3#duration=1559&size=12605846"},{"para_id":"84.1932","title":"Chapter 38\u2014The Journey Around Edom","mp3":"\/mp3\/84\/0042_eng_m_chapter_38_the_journey_around_edom_84_1932.mp3#duration=1794&size=14480005"},{"para_id":"84.1988","title":"Chapter 39\u2014The Conquest of Bashan","mp3":"\/mp3\/84\/0043_eng_m_chapter_39_the_conquest_of_bashan_84_1988.mp3#duration=795&size=6486871"},{"para_id":"84.2012","title":"Chapter 40\u2014Balaam","mp3":"\/mp3\/84\/0044_eng_m_chapter_40_balaam_84_2012.mp3#duration=2108&size=16996322"},{"para_id":"84.2085","title":"Chapter 41\u2014Apostasy at the Jordan","mp3":"\/mp3\/84\/0045_eng_m_chapter_41_apostasy_at_the_jordan_84_2085.mp3#duration=1507&size=12190512"},{"para_id":"84.2127","title":"Chapter 42\u2014The Law Repeated","mp3":"\/mp3\/84\/0046_eng_m_chapter_42_the_law_repeated_84_2127.mp3#duration=1144&size=9279531"},{"para_id":"84.2163","title":"Chapter 43\u2014The Death of Moses","mp3":"\/mp3\/84\/0047_eng_m_chapter_43_the_death_of_moses_84_2163.mp3#duration=1618&size=13076937"},{"para_id":"84.2214","title":"Chapter 44\u2014Crossing the Jordan","mp3":"\/mp3\/84\/0048_eng_m_chapter_44_crossing_the_jordan_84_2214.mp3#duration=899&size=7320732"},{"para_id":"84.2245","title":"Chapter 45\u2014The Fall of Jericho","mp3":"\/mp3\/84\/0049_eng_m_chapter_45_the_fall_of_jericho_84_2245.mp3#duration=1742&size=14068632"},{"para_id":"84.2302","title":"Chapter 46\u2014The Blessings and the Curses","mp3":"\/mp3\/84\/0050_eng_m_chapter_46_the_blessings_and_the_curses_84_2302.mp3#duration=595&size=4893616"},{"para_id":"84.2326","title":"Chapter 47\u2014League With the Gibeonites","mp3":"\/mp3\/84\/0051_eng_m_chapter_47_league_with_the_gibeonites_84_2326.mp3#duration=798&size=6514447"},{"para_id":"84.2352","title":"Chapter 48\u2014The Division of Canaan","mp3":"\/mp3\/84\/0052_eng_m_chapter_48_the_division_of_canaan_84_2352.mp3#duration=1783&size=14395097"},{"para_id":"84.2414","title":"Chapter 49\u2014The Last Words of Joshua","mp3":"\/mp3\/84\/0053_eng_m_chapter_49_the_last_words_of_joshua_84_2414.mp3#duration=638&size=5230856"},{"para_id":"84.2434","title":"Chapter 50\u2014Tithes and Offerings","mp3":"\/mp3\/84\/0054_eng_m_chapter_50_tithes_and_offerings_84_2434.mp3#duration=841&size=6860831"},{"para_id":"84.2461","title":"Chapter 51\u2014God's Care for the Poor","mp3":"\/mp3\/84\/0055_eng_m_chapter_51_god_s_care_for_the_poor_84_2461.mp3#duration=1053&size=8556887"},{"para_id":"84.2499","title":"Chapter 52\u2014The Annual Feasts","mp3":"\/mp3\/84\/0056_eng_m_chapter_52_the_annual_feasts_84_2499.mp3#duration=895&size=7295049"},{"para_id":"84.2538","title":"Chapter 53\u2014The Earlier Judges","mp3":"\/mp3\/84\/0057_eng_m_chapter_53_the_earlier_judges_84_2538.mp3#duration=2305&size=18572249"},{"para_id":"84.2620","title":"Chapter 54\u2014Samson","mp3":"\/mp3\/84\/0058_eng_m_chapter_54_samson_84_2620.mp3#duration=1347&size=10903747"},{"para_id":"84.2666","title":"Chapter 55\u2014The Child Samuel","mp3":"\/mp3\/84\/0059_eng_m_chapter_55_the_child_samuel_84_2666.mp3#duration=858&size=6994979"},{"para_id":"84.2698","title":"Chapter 56\u2014Eli and His Sons","mp3":"\/mp3\/84\/0060_eng_m_chapter_56_eli_and_his_sons_84_2698.mp3#duration=974&size=7926205"},{"para_id":"84.2726","title":"Chapter 57\u2014The Ark Taken by the Philistines","mp3":"\/mp3\/84\/0061_eng_m_chapter_57_the_ark_taken_by_the_philistines_84_2726.mp3#duration=1623&size=13118401"},{"para_id":"84.2786","title":"Chapter 58\u2014The Schools of the Prophets","mp3":"\/mp3\/84\/0062_eng_m_chapter_58_the_schools_of_the_prophets_84_2786.mp3#duration=1357&size=10986634"},{"para_id":"84.2832","title":"Chapter 59\u2014The First King of Israel","mp3":"\/mp3\/84\/0063_eng_m_chapter_59_the_first_king_of_israel_84_2832.mp3#duration=2090&size=16852428"},{"para_id":"84.2900","title":"Chapter 60\u2014The Presumption of Saul","mp3":"\/mp3\/84\/0064_eng_m_chapter_60_the_presumption_of_saul_84_2900.mp3#duration=1298&size=10515111"},{"para_id":"84.2946","title":"Chapter 61\u2014Saul Rejected","mp3":"\/mp3\/84\/0065_eng_m_chapter_61_saul_rejected_84_2946.mp3#duration=1628&size=13155078"},{"para_id":"84.2996","title":"Chapter 62\u2014The Anointing of David","mp3":"\/mp3\/84\/0066_eng_m_chapter_62_the_anointing_of_david_84_2996.mp3#duration=625&size=5130139"},{"para_id":"84.3013","title":"Chapter 63\u2014David and Goliath","mp3":"\/mp3\/84\/0067_eng_m_chapter_63_david_and_goliath_84_3013.mp3#duration=912&size=7430863"},{"para_id":"84.3043","title":"Chapter 64\u2014David a Fugitive","mp3":"\/mp3\/84\/0068_eng_m_chapter_64_david_a_fugitive_84_3043.mp3#duration=1684&size=13602444"},{"para_id":"84.3100","title":"Chapter 65\u2014The Magnanimity of David","mp3":"\/mp3\/84\/0069_eng_m_chapter_65_the_magnanimity_of_david_84_3100.mp3#duration=1928&size=15556963"},{"para_id":"84.3169","title":"Chapter 66\u2014The Death of Saul","mp3":"\/mp3\/84\/0070_eng_m_chapter_66_the_death_of_saul_84_3169.mp3#duration=896&size=7299463"},{"para_id":"84.3203","title":"Chapter 67\u2014Ancient and Modern Sorcery","mp3":"\/mp3\/84\/0071_eng_m_chapter_67_ancient_and_modern_sorcery_84_3203.mp3#duration=1038&size=8432302"},{"para_id":"84.3236","title":"Chapter 68\u2014David at Ziklag","mp3":"\/mp3\/84\/0072_eng_m_chapter_68_david_at_ziklag_84_3236.mp3#duration=1047&size=8504056"},{"para_id":"84.3274","title":"Chapter 69\u2014David Called to the Throne","mp3":"\/mp3\/84\/0073_eng_m_chapter_69_david_called_to_the_throne_84_3274.mp3#duration=850&size=6934447"},{"para_id":"84.3303","title":"Chapter 70\u2014The Reign of David","mp3":"\/mp3\/84\/0074_eng_m_chapter_70_the_reign_of_david_84_3303.mp3#duration=1915&size=15454149"},{"para_id":"84.3386","title":"Chapter 71\u2014David's Sin and Repentance","mp3":"\/mp3\/84\/0075_eng_m_chapter_71_david_s_sin_and_repentance_84_3386.mp3#duration=1669&size=13487871"},{"para_id":"84.3447","title":"Chapter 72\u2014The Rebellion of Absalom","mp3":"\/mp3\/84\/0076_eng_m_chapter_72_the_rebellion_of_absalom_84_3447.mp3#duration=2824&size=22727788"},{"para_id":"84.3535","title":"Chapter 73\u2014The Last Years of David","mp3":"\/mp3\/84\/0077_eng_m_chapter_73_the_last_years_of_david_84_3535.mp3#duration=1588&size=12835140"}]