Leviticus 10

Aaron’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. So fire came out from the presence of the Lord and consumed them, and they died before the Lord. Moses then said to Aaron, “This is what the Lord spoke of when He said: “Among those who approach Me I will be proved holy; in the sight of all the people I will be honored.” Aaron remained silent. ‭‭Leviticus‬ ‭10‬:‭1‬-‭3‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Aaron’s sons “offered unauthorized fire before the Lord, contrary to His command.”  In response, God destroyed them with a blast of fire.  Oops… BUST for Nadab and Abihu!  I imagine that verses like this were regularly relied on during the inquisition for justifying violence (specifically burning of the disobedient) as a tool for expressing God’s holiness.  But ever since the sacrifice that Jesus made, God does not ask His followers to kill in His name.  These verses make God look like a vengeful God, until you look at why this had to be done.  Nadab and Abihu were part of the first priestly family, and were in a position of leadership.  God could not allow them to be disobedient; they would have led many people astray.  God had to choose: get rid of Nadab and Abihu, or watch as many people were led into disobedience.  In contrast, just a few chapters prior to this, “Aaron and his sons did everything the Lord commanded through Moses” (Leviticus 8:36).  It is easy for us to drift towards listening to the world or to our fleshly desires, and to live our way instead of God’s way.  We need to remember that “God’s way is perfect” (Psalms 18:30a), and His way leads to abundant life.  Jesus said “The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy.  My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life” (John 10:10).  When we disobey God’s commands, we forfeit some of the peace, joy and fullness of life that Jesus died to give us.