CARELESS INDIFFERENCE. Leviticus 10 God grants those born again into His family meaningful roles in His kingdom, and we should be very thankful for this privilege. It is an incredible honor to be entrusted by Almighty God with something significant for Him. However, this doesn’t give us permission to act independently. As citizens of His kingdom, He knows what needs to be done, when, and how. Never underestimate the importance of anything entrusted to you by anyone, especially God.
We must always remember that God is holy, and we are allowed to approach Him in faith. He has paid a high price to redeem us, and we have the privilege of glorifying Him with our bodies and spirits. Never take God’s will or His commands lightly. If we see Him as holy, we will strive to be holy in our attitude, service, and conduct both privately and publicly.
Always remember that God exists, even though we cannot see Him. Carrying out the privilege of offering sacrifices of praise, thanksgiving, serving, and giving is an act of obedience. Being careless and disrespectful about the things of God puts us in danger of becoming a “castaway.” We are not left unaware of what is right and wrong. The Holy Spirit of God within us is our guide, not the social practices of those around us. We are not here in this world to make people comfortable because we are like them, but rather to make them want to come to our Lord Jesus Christ for salvation.
Something very serious has happened. I can imagine the people who previously fell face down in their joy and respect for God when the fire came and consumed the burnt offering on the altar are now in a state of fear because God's fire came again and consumed two priests. What exactly happened? Weren't they properly dressed? Yes, that was correct. But instead of going to the altar where the burnt offering was constantly burning to get the coals, they should have lit the incense; they got fire for their censers from another source. When Nadab and Abihu put the holy oil into the profane fire, that irreverence brought judgment from God.
Mixing right and wrong corrupts the entire thing. Those two priests had just been taught what was right, yet they did a holy thing their own way. Was it a blatant disregard for what God had said was the proper action? Was it simply human effort to keep things smooth in the service of God? Was it a shortcut to save some steps? Whatever motivated their actions, the results were the same.
The work of Christ on Calvary is the only way to approach God. Although many today resist this truth and alter biblical practices to suit people's preferences and make worship more appealing, trying anything other than God’s way is wrong. We must always do God's things in God's way. Any other approach shows disrespect to God and, in the case of worship, insults the sacrifice Christ made on the cross at Calvary. He provided what was needed. To add anything to His work is a careless disregard for what God has done.
The people watching as the consuming fire consumed those two men would have learned that God is holy and will not allow wrong to be done, even to a spiritual leader. Sacrifices to God are important and should never be done carelessly or with indifference. Whether it is the sacrifice of praise, thanksgiving, gifts, or even a contrite heart, it is never to be a careless act without proper thought about what we are doing. Two relatives took away the remains of the burned priests in their coats before the stunned audience of thousands. That scene would have been permanently imprinted on their minds: "I can't take anything God says or wants to be done carelessly or indifferently. I must do things His way - or else!"
When an event that identifies something occurs, whether it seems good or bad, I must not let it distract me from my service to God and my responsibilities to God's people. Aaron and the two remaining sons were to continue their priestly duties without interruption. They were not to remove their bonnets lest their hair become mussed and disheveled. Their dignity and respect for their office and work were never to be compromised for any reason. Their clothes were not to be torn in their grief, nor were they to show signs of mourning for their two careless brothers.
All of Israel could mourn for the dead priests, but those whom the Lord had entrusted with holy responsibilities could not let anything deter them from their work. When I am given work for God, it is not my choice whether to accept it. And I do not decide when I can stop doing the work. A priest or any servant of the Lord is under divine authority. Others are affected by any decisions or actions I make. It is not my privilege to act independently of what God reveals as right.
Growing careless and indifferent about anything can become easy, even obeying God. One way is not just as good as another. God has His own reasons for having things done as He commands. I may not know His reasons, but knowing what He says and wants is enough to keep me faithful to Him and His Word. If Nadab and Abihu had been drinking wine before they went about their work for God, that in itself could have influenced their poor judgment. There must be a distinction between what is holy and what is common. Because "everybody does it" or "it is socially acceptable" does not change the fact that everything about someone who is a priest or any worshipper of God must be holy at all times.
One does not become part of the priesthood of believers only when we gather for the Lord's Supper, during a teaching session, or when the Gospel is preached. The role of a priest requires a lifelong commitment and an appropriate lifestyle. Drinking wine would disqualify someone from teaching about self-discipline and living a holy life before the world. Drinking wine is linked to worldly practices, and those who worship God in spirit and truth are clearly different from those who do things their own way. That is why we are to "come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord."
Another lesson had to be learned that day by those involved in priestly ministry. Apparently, the remaining sons, Eleazar and Ithamar, were afraid because of what had happened to their brothers. Instead of eating what they were supposed to eat at the designated place, they didn't feel like eating and placed it on the altar to be burned. They did not realize that what belongs to us cannot be compared to what belongs to God. Moreover, the altar is not a place for our leftovers. Believing that I can do with something as I please and then just give it to God when I am finished is a form of carelessness and deep indifference. If it is new, it seems good to me, but once I am done with it, I might give it to God—a mindset that is quite common but deeply insulting. Giving God the last of my life, my assets, and my strength should never be viewed as an afterthought but as a profound act of honor, especially considering He gave His all for me.
No wonder Moses was upset! They were making mistakes without thinking right from the start. In every action and decision I make, I need to consider if it aligns with what I believe to be God's will. Aaron made an excuse for his sons because of the events of that day, but this did not justify their actions. It is true that extenuating circumstances may occasionally arise, affecting our choices, but that does not change the principles of right and wrong. That is the purpose of laws. "By the law is the knowledge of sin." Guidelines and principles taught by the law are meant to keep sacred things from becoming common, clean things from becoming unclean, and to clearly define right from wrong.
Some days in our lives stand out more than others. They may be days of joy or days when truth reveals sin. Ignoring these moments without learning from them can be a mistake—lessons learned and then forgotten as unimportant must be quickly relearned. A nod or a shake of the head does not mean a lesson has been truly learned. To teach God's people the importance of worship, two priests were burned. Surely, the shock they experienced and the fear that followed when they approached God would lead the priests and others to revisit the words of the Lord.
Approaching God in the power of Jesus' name is a serious matter. There was a careless indifference shown by two priests when they went to offer incense on the golden altar. Before they even reached it, they died, reminding us of the importance of holiness whenever we draw near to God or participate in worship and service for Him. We might think it’s just another meeting, but we attend if possible or if it’s convenient. That attitude reduces sacred things to mere human works. Worship of God is the highest form of service we can give. True worship is only possible when our consciences and hearts are tender toward our Lord.
The mistakes of others are recorded so we can understand God's purpose in coming and how we can best participate. Some who worship silently can explore deeper thoughts than those who speak aloud and struggle to find the right words. What is unknown or unseen by people is fully revealed before God. The offerings of praise and worship should be presented in God's way. Trying to do spiritual things our own way removes the authority that only belongs to Him. When we approach God biblically and sincerely, our worship and praise become truly meaningful.