ABOUT NADAB & ABIHU

0. About Nadab & Abihu

a) Some brothers, like Cain and Abel or Jacob and Esau, get each other in trouble. Nadab and Abihu go in trouble together.

b) Although little is know of their early years, the Bible give us an abundance of information about the environment in which they grew up. Born in Egypt, they were eyewitnesses of God's mighty acts of the Exodus. They saw their father, Aaron, their uncle, Moses, and their aunt, Miriam, in action many times. They had firsthand knowledge of God's holiness as few men have ever had, and for a while at least, they followed God wholeheartedly (see Leviticus 8:36). But at a crucial moment they chose to treat with indifference the clear instructions from God. The consequence of their sin was fiery, instant, and shocking to all.

@1. ³⁶ So Aaron and his sons did everything the Lord commanded through Moses. (Leviticus 8:36 NIV)

b) We are in danger of making the same mistake as these brothers when we treat lightly the justice and holiness of God. We must draw near to God while realizing that there is a proper fear of God. Don't forget that the opportunity to know God personally is based on his gracious invitation to an always unworthy people, not a gift to be taken for granted. Do your thoughts about God include a humble recognition of his great holiness?

1. What were their strengths and accomplishments?

a) Oldest sons of Aaron.

b) Primary candidates to become high priest after their father.

c) Involved with the original consecration of the tabernacle.

d) Commended for doing "all the things that the Lord  had command" (Leviticus 8:36).

2. What were their weaknesses and mistakes?

a) Treated lightly God's direct commands.

3. What can we learn from their lives?

a) Sin has deadly consequences.

4. What are the key verses?

a) ¹Aaron’s sons Nadab and Abihu took their censers, put fire in them and added incense; and they offered unauthorized fire before the Lord, contrary to his command. ² So fire came out from the presence of the Lord and consumed them, and they died before the Lord. (Leviticus 10:1-2 NIV)

b) The story of Nadab and Abihu is told in Leviticus 8-10. They are also mentioned in Exodus 24:1, 9; 28:1; Numbers 3:2-4; 26:60-61.