Strange Fire
Lady Beaujolois Dent. Leviticus 10:1-2 And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon… Ere that "eighth day" had closed (chap. Leviticus 10:19), when Jehovah had sent fire from heaven to consume with delight the offerings laid upon His altar, in token of .acceptance — yea, that very day Satan was again at work, this time with the sons of Aaron, leading them to offer — I. "STRANGE FIRE," in direct violation of God's command (Leviticus 10:1). His fire was to be ever burning upon His altar (Leviticus 6:12, 13), continually fed by what ascended as "a sweet savour" to the Lord; and "strange fire," like strange incense (Exodus 30:9), was an abomination to Him. But man is ever prone to think his way, his fire, his incense as good or better than God's. And where God's Fire —i.e., the Holy Spirit — has been manifestly working, there surely does Satan begin to work by his emissaries, as in the case of Jannes and Jambres (2 Timothy 3:5-9; Exodus 7:11, 22; Exodus 8:18); and again with the "vagabond Jews, exorcists" (Acts 19:6-17), in the days of St. Paul. Satan inspires "false teachers," "seducing spirits" (1 Timothy 4:1; 2 Peter 2:1), who, like Nadab and Abihu, shall "bring upon themselves swift destruction." II. THE SONS OF AARON had been specially privileged. The sons of Aaron represent — as we know — the Church, whose members are also partakers of many privileges (Hebrews 6:4). But — as "they are not all Israel which are of Israel" (Romans 9:6), so all called Christians are not "Christ's "; and it is just in the professing Church that we may expect to hear of "strange fire," and false worship, inaugurated by "false teachers," who shall bring in destructive heresies" (2 Peter 2:1, R.V.); and "many shall follow their pernicious ways" (ver 2, A.V.). Especially will this be the case as we approach the end of the age — "the last days" — when "perilous times shall come" (2 Timothy 3:1). III. "FIRE FROM THE LORD," sent forth in judgment, as in the case of Nadab and Abihu. That fire is used of the Lord for judgment we learn from many passages in Scripture. See, as to the past — 1. "The cities of the plain" (Genesis 19:24-29), "making them an ensample," &c. (2 Peter 2:6; Jude 1:7). 2. At Taberah, because of the complaining of the children of Israel (Numbers 11:1; Psalm 78:21). 3. "The two hundred and fifty men that offered" "incense" (Numbers 16:2, 35; Psalm 106:18). 4. The captains and their fifties (2 Kings 1:10, 12). Then as to the future, we read — "Our God shall come:... a fire shall devour before Him," &c. (Psalm 50:3; see also Psalms 97:3). "The Lord Jesus shall be revealed... in flaming fire," &c (2 Thessalonians 1:7, 8); and "that wicked" — or lawless one referred to — shall be consumed (2 Thessalonians 2:8). "A fire... from God out of heaven" shall devour those gathered against the saints and the "beloved city" (Revelation 20:8, 9). And "the devil, that deceiveth them," shall be "cast into the lake of fire and brimstone" (ver. Revelation 20:10). He who had energised many with "strange fire" will be consigned to the "everlasting fire prepared," &c. (Matthew 25:41). Appalling indeed to think of these judgments to come; and while we speak of such things let us give good heed lest we should seem to have aught of the spirit of James and John, which called forth our Lord's rebuke (Luke 9:51-56). Let us rather first test ourselves, and then in love warn others. He is ready to give the Holy Spirit — His purifying, guiding Fire to all who ask (Luke 11:13). Lastly, observe — IV. AARON'S ATTITUDE of silent submission to the swift and appalling judgment with which his sons were visited. "Aaron held his peace." Think of the agony of the father's grief, yet not a word l He knew his sons' great sin, and Jehovah's perfect justice. The silence of Aaron may also teach that our "Great High Priest" could not intercede for any guilty of the sin He declared should "not be forgiven" (Matthew 12:31, 32; Mark 3:28-30): "Blasphemy against the Holy Ghost," to which the "strange fire" seems to point. (Lady Beaujolois Dent.) Parallel Verses KJV: And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the LORD, which he commanded them not. WEB: Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, each took his censer, and put fire in it, and laid incense on it, and offered strange fire before Yahweh, which he had not commanded them.