Leviticus 10

Leviticus 10 recounts a tragic and instructive moment in Israel’s history involving the deaths of Aaron’s sons, Nadab and Abihu, due to their disobedience. They offered unauthorized fire before the Lord, resulting in swift divine judgment. This chapter emphasizes the seriousness of God’s holiness, the need for reverence in worship, and the responsibilities of the priesthood. It also addresses the mourning process for Aaron and his remaining sons, along with instructions regarding the priests' conduct and ceremonial practices.

Leviticus 10:1-2 (NKJV)
1 Then Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, each took his censer and put fire in it, put incense on it, and offered profane fire before the Lord, which He had not commanded them.
2 So fire went out from the Lord and devoured them, and they died before the Lord.

Nadab and Abihu, sons of Aaron, performed an act of disobedience by offering unauthorized fire before God. God had clearly outlined how worship and offerings were to be conducted, yet they deviated from His commands. Their actions represented a lack of reverence and disregard for the holiness of God. In response, God sent fire to consume them as judgment, demonstrating the importance of following His instructions precisely and reverently.

Leviticus 10:3 (NKJV)
3 And Moses said to Aaron, “This is what the Lord spoke, saying: ‘By those who come near Me I must be regarded as holy; And before all the people I must be glorified.’” So Aaron held his peace.

Moses explains to Aaron that the death of his sons was a result of God’s demand for holiness. Those who serve God, especially the priests, must approach Him with reverence and respect His instructions. This event highlights the principle that God's holiness must be upheld in worship, and Aaron, despite his grief, accepted this judgment without protest, acknowledging the seriousness of the situation.

Leviticus 10:4-5 (NKJV)
4 Then Moses called Mishael and Elzaphan, the sons of Uzziel, the uncle of Aaron, and said to them, “Come near, carry your brethren from before the sanctuary out of the camp.”
5 So they went near and carried them by their tunics out of the camp, as Moses had said.

Moses instructs Aaron’s relatives, Mishael and Elzaphan, to remove the bodies of Nadab and Abihu from the holy area. This reflects the need to maintain purity within the sanctuary. Their bodies, having been consumed by fire due to their sin, were taken outside the camp, which symbolized the removal of defilement from God’s holy presence.

Leviticus 10:6-7 (NKJV)
6 And Moses said to Aaron, and to Eleazar and Ithamar, his sons, “Do not uncover your heads nor tear your clothes, lest you die, and wrath come upon all the people. But let your brethren, the whole house of Israel, bewail the burning which the Lord has kindled.
7 You shall not go out from the door of the tabernacle of meeting, lest you die, for the anointing oil of the Lord is upon you.” And they did according to the word of Moses.

Aaron and his remaining sons, Eleazar and Ithamar, are commanded not to mourn in the usual way by uncovering their heads or tearing their clothes. As priests anointed for service, they had to continue their duties and respect the sanctity of the tabernacle. The rest of Israel was permitted to mourn the judgment that had occurred, but Aaron and his sons needed to remain focused on their divine calling.

Leviticus 10:8-9 (NKJV)
8 Then the Lord spoke to Aaron, saying:
9 “Do not drink wine or intoxicating drink, you nor your sons with you, when you go into the tabernacle of meeting, lest you die. It shall be a statute forever throughout your generations.

God gives Aaron specific instructions that neither he nor his sons are to drink intoxicating substances while serving in the tabernacle. This command ensured that the priests remained clear-headed and fully capable of performing their sacred duties. Worship and service to God required sober-mindedness and full attention, reinforcing the gravity of their responsibilities.

Leviticus 10:10-11 (NKJV)
10 that you may distinguish between holy and unholy, and between unclean and clean,
11 and that you may teach the children of Israel all the statutes which the Lord has spoken to them by the hand of Moses.”

God further emphasizes the need for priests to be able to differentiate between what is holy and unholy, clean and unclean. The priests were to model proper conduct and teach the Israelites how to follow God’s commands. Their role required them to live in accordance with God’s laws, making them examples of holiness and teachers of His statutes.

Leviticus 10:12-13 (NKJV)
12 And Moses spoke to Aaron, and to Eleazar and Ithamar, his sons who were left: “Take the grain offering that remains of the offerings made by fire to the Lord, and eat it without leaven beside the altar; for it is most holy.
13 You shall eat it in a holy place, because it is your due and your sons’ due, of the sacrifices made by fire to the Lord; for so I have been commanded.

Moses instructs Aaron and his remaining sons to consume the grain offering in a holy place as part of their priestly duty. This offering, being holy, was to be eaten near the altar, emphasizing its sanctity. It was also a provision for the priests, as God had designated this as their portion of the sacrifices, reminding them of their privileged role in service to God.

Leviticus 10:14-15 (NKJV)
14 The breast of the wave offering and the thigh of the heave offering you shall eat in a clean place, you, your sons, and your daughters with you; for they are your due and your sons’ due, which are given from the sacrifices of peace offerings of the children of Israel.
15 The thigh of the heave offering and the breast of the wave offering they shall bring with the offerings of fat made by fire, to offer as a wave offering before the Lord. And it shall be yours and your sons’ with you, by a statute forever, as the Lord has commanded.”

Moses outlines further instructions regarding the wave and heave offerings, which were also given to the priests as their share from the peace offerings of Israel. These offerings were to be eaten in a clean place, shared by the priests’ families, and were part of their perpetual portion. This underscores the provision God made for the priests through the offerings and the communal aspect of some sacrifices.

Leviticus 10:16-18 (NKJV)
16 Then Moses made careful inquiry about the goat of the sin offering, and there it was—burned up. And he was angry with Eleazar and Ithamar, the sons of Aaron who were left, saying,
17 “Why have you not eaten the sin offering in a holy place, since it is most holy, and God has given it to you to bear the guilt of the congregation, to make atonement for them before the Lord?
18 See! Its blood was not brought inside the holy place; indeed you should have eaten it in a holy place, as I commanded.”

Moses, upon discovering that the sin offering had been burned instead of eaten, questions Eleazar and Ithamar. The sin offering was intended to be eaten by the priests as part of the atonement process for the people. By not consuming it, they had neglected their duty in this specific ritual, leading to Moses' frustration. This interaction highlights the critical nature of following all of God’s instructions in the offerings.

Leviticus 10:19-20 (NKJV)
19 And Aaron said to Moses, “Look, this day they have offered their sin offering and their burnt offering before the Lord, and such things have befallen me! If I had eaten the sin offering today, would it have been accepted in the sight of the Lord?”
20 So when Moses heard that, he was content.

Aaron responds to Moses by explaining that due to the tragedy that had befallen him, he did not feel it appropriate to eat the sin offering. His grief and the day’s events weighed heavily on him, and he questioned whether consuming the offering in such a state would be pleasing to God. Moses, understanding Aaron’s perspective, accepts his explanation, demonstrating the importance of intention and heart in worship.