Leviticus 10

3. The sanctification of the priesthood ch. 10

One of the remarkable features of chapters 8 and 9 is the obedience of Moses and Aaron to God’s commands (cf. Leviticus 8:4; Leviticus 8:9; Leviticus 8:13; Leviticus 8:17; Leviticus 8:21; Leviticus 8:29; Leviticus 8:36; Leviticus 9:5; Leviticus 9:7; Leviticus 9:10; Leviticus 9:21). In chapter 10 there is a notable absence of these references. The careful reader notices at once that something is wrong.

"The Lord had only just confirmed and sanctified the sacrificial service of Aaron and his sons by a miracle, when He was obliged to sanctify Himself by a judgment upon Nadab and Abihu, the eldest sons of Aaron (Exodus 6:23), on account of their abusing the office they had received, and to vindicate Himself before the congregation, as one who would not suffer His commandments to be broken with impunity." [Note: Keil and Delitzsch, 2:350.]

"Holiness is dangerous unless approached by the proper persons and according to the proper rules." [Note: Norman H. Snaith, Leviticus and Numbers, p. 58.]

"Tragedy and triumph go hand in hand in the Bible and in life. On the very first day of Aaron’s high-priestly ministry his two eldest sons died for infringing God’s law. In the life of our Lord his baptism by the Spirit was followed by temptation in the wilderness, his triumphal entry into Jerusalem by his crucifixion six days later. In the early Church the healing of the lame man was succeeded by the death of Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 3-5)." [Note: Wenham, The Book . . ., p. 153.]