DCLM Search The Scripture Youth For July 2, 2023 : Topic – STRANGE FIRE IN THE TABERNACLE
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YOUTH STS
LESSON 68
STRANGE FIRE IN THE TABERNACLE
MEMORY VERSE: “And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censers, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the LORD, which he commanded them not” Leviticus 10:1).
TEXT: Leviticus 10:1 – 20
Our text is the account of the first sin of the priests, the two sons Aaron (Nadab and Abihu) who disregarded God’s command in worship. “Ye shall offer no strange incense thereon, nor burnt sacrifice, nor meat offering; neither shall ye pour drink offering thereon” (Exodus 30:9). Nadab and Abihu were ordained priests who were involved in the original consecration of the tabernacle as seen in chapter eight. They offered strange fire in the tabernacle and they died in the process through God-sent fire as punishment for violating the sacred office. As leaders, they had special responsibility to obey God. In their position, they could easily lead many people astray. If God has commissioned you to lead or teach others, be sure to stay close to Him and follow His instructions.
Question 1: What kind of fire did Nadab and Abihu offer before the Lord?
SIN, DEATH AND MOURNING FOR AARON’S SONS
Leviticus 10:1-7; Numbers 3:4; Proverbs 30:5,6; 1 Peter4:17;2 Peter 2:4;Hebrews 12:28,29
It is a dangerous thing in the service of God to stray from God given instructions in service. God will always require strict adherence to His instructions and punish the disobedient. To prove this, God will begin judgment in His house. “For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?” (1 Peter 4:17). Aaron’s sons were careless about following the laws for sacrifices. In response, God destroyed them by fire. “And there went out fire from the LORD, and devoured them, and they died before the LORD” (Leviticus 10:2). Their dreadful punishment was a necessary justice to serve as warning to others and to show how jealous God is in the matters of worship.
Question 2: Why were the sons of Aaron punished even though they were priests and what can we learn from this?
“For there is no respect of persons with God” (Romans 2:11). “Let all things be done decently and in order”(1 Corinthians 14:40). Performing the sacrifices was a priestly function as well as an act of obedience. Doing them according to specifications showed respect for God. If God is not glorified in our lives and our services, He will not spare but visit us with judgment. God will punish all youths who disregard His grace and died in their sins. The punishment for Aaron’s sons was that they died suddenly in the very act of their sin and had no time to repent. “And the LORD said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will | blot out of my book” (Exodus 32:33).
Question 3: What are the different kinds of strange fire offered by people, today?
it was in the days of Moses, we have many strange fire being offered today in the name of worship. This include: singing worldly music, wearing seductive dressings, burning of candles, bringing comedians to entertain the congregation, deviation from preaching the whole truth, whistling and screaming during services, etc. Moreover, it is a strange fire when a sinning youth handles the work of God backslidden worker remain in the workforce. “Then Moses said unto Aaron, this is it that the LORD spake, saying,I will he sanctified in them that come nigh me, and before all the people I will be glorified. And Aaron held his peace” (Leviticus 10:3). When God corrects us, it is our duty to accept “And Moses said unto Aaron, and unto Eleazar and unto Ithamar, his sons, Un cover not y our heads, neither rend your clothes; lest ye die, and lest wrath come upon all the people: but let your brethren, the whole house of Israel, bewail the burning which the LORD hath kindled. And ye shall not go out from the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, lest ye die: for the anointing oil of the LORD İs upon you. And they did according to the word of Moses” (Verses 6,7). Moses quickly directed Aaron and his remaining two sons on what to do in order not to extend God’s judgment. He further instructed the whole congregation to mourn the death of Aaron’s sons. Christian youths are commanded to “Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep” (Romans 12:15). It is not good to rejoice when someone is punished as a result of transgression
Question 4: What do we learn from God’s charge to Aaron and his sons?
Just as God charged Aaron and his sons through Moses His servant, His charge to believers today in times of grief is that we should not allow the death of our loved ones and relatives to hinder our service to God. “Jesus said unto him, let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:60). Again, as touching the loss of loved ones who died in the faith, we should not sorrow as those who do not have hope (1 Thessalonians 4:13). As regards the anointing, believing youths are to preserve the anointing by continuous service in evangelizing the world. Much more, they are to be holy and blameless.
DIVINE CAUTION TO THE PRIESTS
Leviticus 10:8-11; 21:10-12; Proverbs 20:1;Ezekiel 44:21;Titus 1:7;Luke 1:15; Exodus 19:22
God, in His orderly manner, gave guiding instructions as a cautionary measure to Aaron and his two sons. These cautions were to help prevent His judgment because He is “..of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity: wherefore lookest thou upon them that deal treacherously, and holdest thy tongue when the wicked devoureth the man that is more righteous than he?” (Habakkuk 1:13).
Question 5: What were the cautions given to the priests and what can youths learn from them?
“But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light” (1 Peter 2:9). Christian youths are God’s royal priesthood to show forth His praise in this generation. Therefore, they are to take heed to the divine caution God gave to Aaron:
Not to drink wine and strong drinks in order not to die (verse 9),
Separate themselves from unholy things (verse 10), and (3) To teach others to obey all the statutes of God (verse 11).
“If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them” (John 13:17).
MOSES’ CORRECTION OF THE PRIESTS
Leviticus 10:12- 20; 1 Corinthians 5:11-13;1 0:11,Hebrews 4:14;5:1;1 Timothy 5:20; Titus 1:13,Proverbs 15:1)
“And Moses diligently sought the goat of the sin offering, and, behold, it was burnt: and he was angry with Eleazar and Ithamar, the sons of Aaron which were left alive, saying, wherefore have ye not eaten the sin offering in the holy place, seeing it is most holy, and God hath given it you to bear the iniquity of the congregation, to make atonement for them before the LORD?” (Leviticus 10:16,17). As a leader, Moses expressed his displeasure for disobedience to God-given instructions. Moreover, meat offerings by the priests was a sign that the priests had borne the iniquity of the congregation. But Aaron’s sons failed to adhere to this instructions. Moses was afraid that God would judge them further, so, he rebuked them. Today, Jesus the High Priest had offered Himself for our sins, once and forever.
Question 6: What do we learn from Aaron’s explanation for not eating the sin offering as commanded?
Aaron’s explanation for not eating the sin offering in the holy place was that, it would not be pleasing to God for him to force himself to eat food in view of the calamity that had just befallen him. This teaches us that acceptance with God is a great thing and should be our desire in all our religious services. Furthermore, the quietness and contentment of Moses with the excuse is worth learning from because, God had instructed that what could not be eaten should be burnt. Today, our unfitness for duty, when it is natural and not sinful might be tenable. God will have mercy upon sinning youths who repent of their sins but those who fail to repent will perish. “I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish”(Luke 13:3).