The Bible Story Vol 2_w.pdf - Herbert W. Armstrong

The bodies of Nadab and Ablhu were
removed to a distant spot far outside
the ca mps of the Israelites. .
"They died because they disobeyed
God by bringing strange
fire before Him and tryi ng to take
over duties that were yours," Moses
explain ed. "God warn ed them, and
He means His warnings."
Aaron stood in silent misery,
gazing at the flame-blackened bodies.
Finally he turned away, realizing
that disobe dience had to bring
pu nishme nt. In spite of the shock
of his nephews' deaths, Moses lost
no time in arra nging for bur ials,
and for repl acements by Eleazar
and Itham ar , Aaron's two ot her
sons .
"Don't mourn because of Nadab
and Abihu ," Moses warned
Aaron and the two other sons. "If
you do, it would show that you feel
God has dealt unjustly with them."
(Leviticus 10:6-7.)
People were sobered when
th ey heard Nada b and Abihu had
died by the direct hand of God.
Even a fune ral wasn't to interfere
with tabernacle ceremonies. Aaron had to carryon with his duties, and
Eleazar and Ithamar had to start with theirs. T heir period of service
began with a new ruling that pri ests on duty would have to abstain from
wine and st rong dri nk, the excessive use of which could dull one's best
judgment. It was possible th at such had happened with Nadab and
Abihu .
Serious even ts didn't necessarily steer matters smoothly. In one case
of a goat being used as a sin offering for the people, Moses happened to go
to the holy place to find nobody there. Neither was the goat that was to
be eaten (at least in part). Moses then discove red that the goat had been
completely burne d on the altar. He quickly found Eleazar and Ithamar.
"Why was the offering left to burn?" he angrily asked . "Why wasn't
it eate n in the holy place, as holy meat to bear the sins of the people?"
(Verses 16·18. )
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