Immediately before Nadab and Abihu’s death, their father (Aaron) was “careful to do as the Lord had commanded Moses” and did things “according to the prescribed manner” (Leviticus 9:10, 16). Their disobedience towards God’s instructions about sacrifices shows that God punished them FOR DOING WHAT HE HAD NOT COMMANDED, which is AS BAD AS DOING WHAT HE HAD SPECIFICALLY FORBIDDEN! This passage highlights the importance of carefully following God’s commands and the consequences of neglecting them. Although God didn’t continue to strike priests dead every time they disobeyed, this sin occurred right after the consecration and at the beginning of their work. If God had not made His point clear at this stage, then the negligence would have spread rapidly. There is no doubt that God had the right to punish those disobedient priests and destroy them.

1 Then Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, each took his censer and put fire in it, put incense on it, and offered profane fire before the Lord, which He had not commanded them.

2 So fire went out from the Lord and devoured them, and they died before the Lord. 

3 And Moses said to Aaron, “This is what the Lord spoke, saying: ‘By those who come near Me I must be regarded as holy; And before all the people I must be glorified.’” So Aaron held his peace.

~ Leviticus 10:1-3

Holy God. You are my Rock. The God of my salvation. May I learn from the lesson of Nadab and Abihu and always approach You with reverence and holiness, especially during worship. Please grant me wisdom to understand Your commands, examples, and inferences as they are revealed in Your word. I never want to offer service to You in a presumptuous manner or go beyond what is written. I am grateful for Your word and the blessings that come with abiding in You, but I am also aware of the great responsibility that comes with it. Please help me to maintain a sober and focused mind in these things. I also ask that You help me communicate these needs to my neighbors so that together we can honor and glorify You acceptably. In Jesus’ name I pray these things, amen.