Then Moses said to Aaron, "This is what the LORD meant when He said: 'To those who come near Me I will show My holiness, and in the sight of all the people I will reveal My glory.'" But Aaron remained silent. Then Moses said to AaronMoses, as the leader and prophet of Israel, often served as the intermediary between God and the people. Here, he addresses Aaron, the high priest, who has just experienced the tragic loss of his sons, Nadab and Abihu. This moment underscores the gravity of the priestly role and the need for strict adherence to God's commands. “This is what the LORD meant when He said:
This phrase indicates that God had previously communicated His expectations regarding holiness and reverence. It suggests that the events leading up to this moment were a fulfillment of divine warning or instruction, emphasizing the importance of understanding and obeying God's word. ‘To those who come near Me I will show My holiness,
The phrase "come near Me" refers to the priests who serve in the tabernacle, highlighting the sacred responsibility of those who approach God. God's holiness is a central theme in Leviticus, and this statement reinforces the idea that His presence demands reverence and purity. The incident with Nadab and Abihu serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of failing to honor God's holiness. and in the sight of all the people I will reveal My glory.’”
God's glory is often associated with His manifest presence and power. By revealing His glory, God demonstrates His authority and the seriousness of His commands. This public display serves as a lesson to the entire community about the sanctity of worship and the need for obedience. But Aaron remained silent.
Aaron's silence can be seen as an expression of submission and acceptance of God's judgment. In the face of personal tragedy, Aaron's response reflects a deep reverence for God's sovereignty and an understanding of the gravity of the situation. This moment also highlights the tension between personal grief and the responsibilities of spiritual leadership. Persons / Places / Events 1. MosesThe leader of the Israelites, chosen by God to deliver His people from Egypt and to communicate His laws and commandments. 2. AaronThe brother of Moses and the first high priest of Israel, responsible for the priestly duties and maintaining the sanctity of the tabernacle. 3. Nadab and AbihuThe sons of Aaron who offered unauthorized fire before the LORD, resulting in their death as a demonstration of God's holiness. 4. The LORD (Yahweh)The God of Israel, who demands holiness and reverence from His people, especially those who serve in His presence. 5. The TabernacleThe dwelling place of God among the Israelites, where His presence was manifest and where the priests performed their sacred duties. Teaching Points Holiness of GodGod's holiness is non-negotiable. Those who serve Him must approach with reverence and obedience, understanding the seriousness of His commands. Reverence in WorshipWorship is not to be taken lightly. It requires a heart and actions aligned with God's instructions, reflecting His holiness. Consequences of DisobedienceDisobedience, especially in matters of worship and service to God, can lead to severe consequences, as seen in the lives of Nadab and Abihu. Silence in SubmissionAaron's silence reflects a submission to God's will, even in the face of personal loss, acknowledging God's righteousness and justice. God's Glory RevealedGod's actions, even in judgment, reveal His glory and serve as a reminder to the community of His power and holiness. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the incident with Nadab and Abihu illustrate the importance of following God's specific instructions in worship? 2. In what ways can we ensure that our worship today reflects the holiness and reverence due to God? 3. How does Aaron's response to the death of his sons challenge us in our own reactions to God's discipline or difficult circumstances? 4. What are some modern-day examples of "unauthorized fire" in worship or service to God, and how can we avoid them? 5. How do the themes of holiness and reverence in Leviticus 10:3 connect with the New Testament teachings on worship and service to God? Connections to Other Scriptures Exodus 19:22This verse emphasizes the need for priests to consecrate themselves to avoid the LORD's wrath, highlighting the importance of holiness among those who approach God. Isaiah 6:3The seraphim proclaim God's holiness, reinforcing the theme that God is holy and His glory fills the earth, which is a central theme in Leviticus 10:3. Hebrews 12:28-29This passage speaks of worshiping God with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire, echoing the consequences faced by Nadab and Abihu. People Aaron, Abihu, Eleazar, Elzaphan, Israelites, Ithamar, Mishael, Moses, Nadab, UzzielPlaces TemanTopics Aaron, Approach, Drawing, Face, Glorified, Hallowed, Held, Holy, Honored, Honoured, Kept, Myself, Nigh, Nothing, Peace, Sanctified, Saying, Sight, Silent, Spake, Spoke, Spoken, TreatedDictionary of Bible Themes Leviticus 10:3 8624 worship, reasons Leviticus 10:1-3 1310 God, as judge
5072 Aaron, spokesman
5484 punishment, by God
6636 drawing near to God
8444 honouring God
8627 worship, elements Leviticus 10:1-7 5188 tearing of clothes Library Strange Fire
'And 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. 2. And there went out fire from the Lord, and devoured them, and they died before the Lord. 3. Then 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. 4. And Moses called Mishael …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureDecember the Thirteenth the Holy and the Profane
"Put difference between the holy and the unholy." --LEVITICUS x. 1-10. The peril of our day is that so many of these differences are growing faint. The holy merges into the unholy, and we can scarcely see the dividing line. Black merges into white through manifold shades of grey. Falsehood slopes into truth through cunning expediences and white lies. Lust merges into purity through conviviality and geniality and good-fellowship. So is one thing losing itself in another, and vivid moral distinctions …
John Henry Jowett—My Daily Meditation for the Circling Year Sixth Day. Holiness and Glory.
Who is like unto Thee, O Lord! among the gods? Who is like unto Thee, glorious in holiness, Fearful in praises, doing wonders? Thou in Thy mercy hast led Thy people which Thou hast redeemed: Thou hast guided them in Thy strength to the habitation of Thy holiness ... The holy place, O Lord, which Thy hands have established.' --Ex. xv. 11-17. In these words we have another step in advance in the revelation of Holiness. We have here for the first time Holiness predicated of God Himself. He …
Andrew Murray—Holy in Christ Brief Directions How to Read the Holy Scriptures once Every Year Over, with Ease, Profit, and Reverence.
But forasmuch, that as faith is the soul, so reading and meditating on the word of God, are the parent's of prayer, therefore, before thou prayest in the morning, first read a chapter in the word of God; then meditate awhile with thyself, how many excellent things thou canst remember out of it. As--First, what good counsels or exhortations to good works and to holy life. Secondly, what threatenings of judgments against such and such a sin; and what fearful examples of God's punishment or vengeance …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety The Value of this Doctrine
"All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works" (2 Tim. 3:16, 17). "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works" (2 Tim. 3:16, 17). "Doctrine" means "teaching," …
Arthur W. Pink—The Sovereignty of God The Third Commandment
Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain: For the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.' Exod 20: 7. This commandment has two parts: 1. A negative expressed, that we must not take God's name in vain; that is, cast any reflections and dishonour on his name. 2. An affirmative implied. That we should take care to reverence and honour his name. Of this latter I shall speak more fully, under the first petition in the Lord's Prayer, Hallowed be thy name.' I shall …
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments The Right Understanding of the Law
Thou shalt have no other Gods before me.' Exod 20: 3. Before I come to the commandments, I shall answer questions, and lay down rules respecting the moral law. What is the difference between the moral laud and the gospel? (1) The law requires that we worship God as our Creator; the gospel, that we worship him in and through Christ. God in Christ is propitious; out of him we may see God's power, justice, and holiness: in him we see his mercy displayed. (2) The moral law requires obedience, but gives …
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments No Sorrow Like Messiah's Sorrow
Is it nothing to you, all you who pass by? Behold, and see, if there be any sorrow like unto my sorrow! A lthough the Scriptures of the Old Testament, the law of Moses, the Psalms, and the Prophecies (Luke 24:44) , bear an harmonious testimony to MESSIAH ; it is not necessary to suppose that every single passage has an immediate and direct relation to Him. A method of exposition has frequently obtained [frequently been in vogue], of a fanciful and allegorical cast [contrivance], under the pretext …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 1 Man's Chief End
Q-I: WHAT IS THE CHIEF END OF MAN? A: Man's chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him for ever. Here are two ends of life specified. 1: The glorifying of God. 2: The enjoying of God. I. The glorifying of God, I Pet 4:4: That God in all things may be glorified.' The glory of God is a silver thread which must run through all our actions. I Cor 10:01. Whether therefore ye eat or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.' Everything works to some end in things natural and artificial; …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity The Second Commandment
Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am o jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of then that hate me; and shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me and keep my commandments.' Exod 20: 4-6. I. Thou shalt not …
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments Leviticus
The emphasis which modern criticism has very properly laid on the prophetic books and the prophetic element generally in the Old Testament, has had the effect of somewhat diverting popular attention from the priestly contributions to the literature and religion of Israel. From this neglect Leviticus has suffered most. Yet for many reasons it is worthy of close attention; it is the deliberate expression of the priestly mind of Israel at its best, and it thus forms a welcome foil to the unattractive …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Leviticus 10:3 NIVLeviticus 10:3 NLTLeviticus 10:3 ESVLeviticus 10:3 NASBLeviticus 10:3 KJV
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