1. It was not the ordinary day in the life of the Hebrew worshiper but the 8th day.
A. The events of the day were closely akin to those of Exodus 40.
B. When the tabernacle was finished and erected.
(1) Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting,and the glory of YHWH filled the tabernacle--Exodus 40:34.
(2) So imposing was the occasion that Moses was not able to enter into the tent of meeting - vs.35.
C. On Sinai, only the Elite saw God (Ex. 24:10-11).
D. In the Leviticus account, all the people saw (realized) the presence of YHWH. It was the Inaugural service, and as the kavod (a manifestation of God encased in a fiery cloud see 9:6) settled over Sinai, that same kavod settled in the tabernacle (Lev. 9:6b; 23b; 24a).
E. The kavod in the encased fire cloud, brightens in intensity as YHWH desires an audience with Moses (Numbers 17:7-8).
F. In Israel the ark was the symbolic seat of God (Ex. 40:20-21). The Israelites beheld their God emerging from the tabernacle in the form of fire (Lev. 9:23-24)
G. The kavod speaks with Moses and Aaron when they seek divine counsel (Num. 20:6-7) before it condenses between the outspread wings of the cherubim in the adytum. Otherwise the kavod encased in the cloud, remains suspended above the tabernacle so that it is visible to all Israel at night (Ex. 40:38; Num. 9: 15). Here, the kavod will separate itself from the encasement of fire to consume a sacrifice (see further v.23).
2. The holy garments...for glory and beauty - Ex. 28:2 had been finished and were presented to Moses for his inspection. Ex. 39:43.
3. The whole congregation of Israel was assembled at the door of the tent of meeting for the inauguration of both the tabernacle and priesthood.
4. Moses then offered the bull for the sin offering Lev. 8:14.
5. He offered the ram of the burnt offering according to set ritual.
6. Moses then presented another ram of consecration.
a. Aaron and his sons laid their hands upon its head.
b. Moses killed the sacrifice.
c. Moses takes the blood and uses it to consecrate Aaron and his sons - Lev. 8:23-24.
d. The fat, the right thigh, together with a unleavened cake, one cake of oiled bread and one wafer from the meal offering were fumed as a consecration for a sweet savor - vs. 28.
e. The breast of the ram of consecration was removed and waved for a wave-offering and it was Moses' portion.
f. With the blood Moses now sprinkled Aaron and his sons and their garments for the purpose of sanctification v.30.
g. The flesh of the ram of consecration was boiled at the door of the tent meeting.
7. Aaron and his sons must remain at door of the tent of meeting...day and night...for seven days---vs. 33-36.
8. Aaron and his sons offer their first sacrifices of worship and atonement for themselves and for the people.
A. The total sacrificial repertoire was used to inaugurate their first ministrations before YHWH.
1) For the High Priest and his sons - a calf for their sin-offering and a ram for a burnt offering.
2) For the people of Israel - a he-goat for a sin offering and a calf and a lamb for a burnt offering, and a meal-offering mingled with oil.
B. After offering the sacrifices Aaron lifted up his hands toward the people and blessed them. Lev. 9:22
C. Moses and Aaron entered the tabernacle and came back out and blessed the people. Lev. 9:23-24.
D. The glory of YHWH appeared to all the people and fire came forth from YHWH and consumed the burnt offering and the fat - vs.23-24.
1) In token of His acceptance of all that was done.
2) In confirmation of His acceptance of their worship.
3) In acceptance of the total sacrificial system to establish and maintain fellowship with Israel.
E. When the people saw it they shouted and fell on their faces Lev. 9:24.
9. A Reminder from former lessons.
a. There are two kinds of fire under discussion here (usually translated burn).
b. המך There is qatar fire. To burn up - starts at altar and ascends up.
c. שרך There is saraph which starts up and comes down, the fire of anger.
1. The Many Sins and Nadab and Abihu
A. In there excitement of the moment they committed a series of presumptuous sins Lev. 10:1-20.
1) They offered zar fire, meaning unauthorized (see Exodus 30:33; Lev. 22:12; Numbers 16:46).
2) Before YHWH - i.e. perhaps they rashly and without God's warrant entered within the veil - into the holy of holies! Num. 3:4
3) Which YHWH had not commanded them. The fire or them??
a. Maybe incense was not part of the day's ceremonies.
b. Maybe Nadab and Abihu were not the ones assigned to the incense.
B. It may have very well been the wrong day. (High Priest can only enter once a year)
C. May have both went in the Holy of Holies instead of just one.
a. Had not Nadab and Abihu just been inaugurated into the priestly office of special nearness to YHWH?
b. At minimum, their sin was will worship.
Additional comments
1. I will be sanctified in them that come nigh me Lev. 10:3.
2. And before all the people I will be glorified.
3. Even when all the ceremonies and rituals are respected, if the heart is not right, the vanity of worship is manifest (Rom. 1:21).
4. Good intentions cannot excuse disobedience - assuming they had good intentions!
5. Aaron must not morn his sons! Nor Eleazar and Ithamar their brothers.
A. Lev. 21: 2-4 allows a priest to morn a relative who dies but not in this case.
B. Because the anointing of the Lord is upon you - Lev. 10:7
C. As God's representatives they must not be in disagreement with God.
D. The whole house of Israel could morn but not Aaron or his sons.
6. Nadab and Abihu's actions may have caused the instructions of Lev. 10: 8-9.
A. drink no wine or strong drink....that you do not die!
B. They may have been drunk or at least their senses dulled.
C. That you die not, may link their death with the warning that you die not as they did for this reason.
7. Lev. 10:10 further states, and you shall make a distinction between the holy and the common, between the clean and the
unclean. They may have drank the drink-offering as though it were common.
8. Aaron's excessive caution and Moses reaction - Lev. 10: 8-20.
by
Warren Rogers