Episode Details

Approaching God In Leviticus 10:1-3, we encounter a sobering moment in Israel's early worship life. Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, offered unauthorized fire before the Lord—something God had not commanded. In response, fire comes out from the presence of God and consumes them. Moses then explains the meaning of this judgment: "Among those who approach me I will be proved holy; in the sight of all the people I will be honored." This passage makes one truth unmistakably clear: approaching God is not merely about enthusiasm in worship or intention of heart. It is about reverence, obedience, and a willingness to reject anything that compromises His holiness. God's holiness is central to His character. Holiness means that God is set apart, pure, and entirely unlike anything corrupted by sin. Because of this, approaching God is not casual or self-defined. Nadab and Abihu's error was not simply a minor ritual mistake; it was a failure to honor God as holy. They acted on their own terms rather than God's command. In doing so, they demonstrated that approaching God requires more than participation—it requires submission. This passage challenges a common assumption that sincerity alone is enough in our relationship with God. Nadab and Abihu were priests; they were not outsiders. Yet their position did not excuse their disobedience. Their story teaches that closeness to God increases responsibility, not leniency. When we approach God in worship, we must accept His authority over how He is to be worshipped and obeyed. It means recognizing that God defines what is acceptable, not human preference, creativity, or convenience. This truth becomes even more personal when we consider Revelation 1:6, which declares that Christ has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve His God and Father. Under the New Covenant, priesthood is no longer limited to a select few like Nadab and Abihu. All who belong to God are now called Christian priests—those set apart to represent God and to live lives that reflect His holiness. This means the lesson of Leviticus is not distant history; it directly applies to every believer today. If we are priests before God, then we are also responsible to honor His holiness in how we live, how we worship, and how we approach Him. Therefore, saying yes to God inevitably involves saying no to anything that offends His holiness. This includes obvious sins, but also subtler forms of disobedience like self-reliance, pride, or treating sacred things lightly. Nadab and Abihu may not have intended outright rebellion, but they disregarded God's clear instruction. Their example warns against redefining obedience to fit our own desires. True devotion requires a conscious turning away from what God has not approved. At its core, this passage calls for deeper reverence. God is not only loving and merciful; He is also just and holy. His holiness gives weight to His love and meaning to His commands. When we understand this, obedience is no longer seen as restriction, but as the proper response to who God is. Saying no to what offends Him is not about losing freedom; it's about aligning our lives with His truth and honoring His nature. Leviticus 10:1-3 reminds us that our worship to God is a serious and sacred commitment. It demands more than words; it calls for a life that reflects His holiness. Nadab and Abihu's story is a warning, but also an invitation. We must approach God with reverence, to obey Him fully, and to reject anything that diminishes His glory. ******* Hear more messages and find out more about Oyster Bay Church of Christ in Crawfordville, FL on our website: https://www.oysterbaychurchofchrist.org/ And here: https://pearlsofwisdomonline.org/