Learning From Strange Fire

Nadab and Abihu's sin teaches us about more than unauthorized worship

The Old Testament was written for our learning (Rom. 15:4). One of the many accounts in the Old Testament that teaches us about God and His expectations is the account of Nadab and Abihu in Leviticus 10:1-11. These sons of Aaron (Moses’ brother and the first high priest) live on in infamy because of their sin of offering “unauthorized” (ESV) or “strange” (NASB) fire to the LORD. There is a lot we can learn from strange fire.

Photo by Guido Jansen on Unsplash

Setting the Scene for Strange Fire

Who were Nadab and Abihu? They were the oldest sons of Aaron (Lev 10:1a; Exod 6:23; Num 3:2), ordained as priests to serve God (Exod 29:35; Lev 8:36). Nadab and Abihu were among the select group who saw God from afar on Mount Sinai (Exod 24:9-11). These men were not strangers to the mighty works and awesome power of God, having witnessed the Exodus, the giving of the Law, and numerous other miracles. They were deeply familiar with the God of Israel and had no excuse for their actions. God had every right to hold them to a high standard.

Nadab and Abihu’s Sin

What was the sin of Nadab and Abihu? The immediate context reveals that their sin was related to the fire they offered in their service to the LORD (Lev 10:1b). It was described as “strange” or “unauthorized” because it was not commanded by the Lord (Lev 10:1c). While the Bible does not provide extensive details, most commentators agree that Nadab and Abihu likely took coals from an unsanctioned source rather than the specified place. This concept of unauthorized worship might seem foreign to many today, but God’s character remains unchanged since Leviticus 10.

The most-cited lesson from this account in churches of Christ is that God still authorizes worship today through His word. The New Testament provides clear, specific commands and examples regarding the church’s worship. Unauthorized worship occurs when we offer to God something other than what He has specified. For instance, God has commanded that we sing and make melody in our hearts, so the use of musical instruments is unauthorized. 

The Lord’s Supper is to be partaken of every first day of the week, making any other schedule unauthorized. The elements of the Lord’s Supper are specified as unleavened bread and fruit of the vine; substituting these with something else, like Bagel Bites and Dr. Pepper, is unauthorized. We do not need a specific prohibition for each unauthorized act; when God specifies what He wants, other options are excluded.

Unauthorized worship is still a sin—we miss the mark when we offer what God has not asked for. As believers, we are all priests (1 Pet. 2:9), and should take our spiritual offering seriously! 

God’s Response to Nadab and Abihu’s Sin

God’s response to Nadab and Abihu’s sin shows the seriousness of unauthorized worship: “And there went out fire from the Lord, and devoured them, and they died before the Lord” (Lev. 10:2). We might think God overreacted, but we are not in a position to judge His actions. The severe consequence of Nadab and Abihu’s disobedience underscores the importance of serving God correctly.

We cannot casually traipse into God’s presence and offer whatever we want—He is holy and deserving of reverence and obedience (Heb. 12:28-29). While God may not strike us dead today for unauthorized worship, this does not mean we can disregard His commands with impunity.

Learning From Strange Fire

Consider several lessons we learn from the aftermath of Nadab and Abihu’s sin. This account teaches us about much more than what we offer to God as worship.

God Desires Our Respect (Lev 10:3)

Nadab and Abihu’s sin went beyond unauthorized worship; it reflected their attitude. In response to their actions, God emphasized, “Among those who are near me, I will be sanctified, and before all people I will be glorified.” Unauthorized worship begins with a failure to recognize God’s true nature.

God Desires Our Holiness (Lev 10:4-5)

For ritual cleanliness, Aaron’s relatives, not Aaron himself, had to remove Nadab and Abihu’s bodies, and they had to remain outside the camp. This reminds us of how sin should remain outside of the church (1 Cor. 5:1-2; Eph. 5:3-5).

God Desires Our Continuous Service (Lev 10:6-7)

Aaron and his remaining sons were not allowed to mourn or halt their service to the Lord. This illustrates that we cannot let the unauthorized worship of others deter us from serving God with reverence. We must remain steadfast and obedient to God’s commands.

God Desires Our Sobriety (Lev 10:8-9)

The admonition against drinking wine or strong drink while serving as priests in Leviticus 10:8-9 suggests that perhaps Nadab and Abihu were inebriated. Sobriety is crucial for maintaining reverence, service, and self-control. Christians, as God’s priests today, should avoid substances that impair our judgment (Eph. 5:18-19).

God Desires Our Discernment (Lev 10:10)

God’s people are commanded to distinguish between what is holy and what is unholy. This was another failure of Nadab and Abihu. In a culture that often blurs these distinctions—where God’s name is taken in vain and sacred institutions are mocked—believers must uphold the sanctity of worship and holy living.

God Desires Our Learning (Lev 10:11)

God ends this section reminding the priesthood of their responsibility to teach the children of Israel all His ways. God’s people have a responsibility to teach His ways. By understanding and adhering to God’s commands, we uphold His holiness and honor His name in our worship and daily lives.

God help us not to offer up strange fire as we strive to daily be a “a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service” (Rom. 12:1 NKJV).

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