Leviticus 10:1-3 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. And there went out fire from the Lord, and devoured them, and they died before the Lord. Then Moses said unto Aaron, This is it that the Lord spake, saying, I will be sanctified in them that come nigh me, and before all the people I will be glorified. And Aaron held his peace.

So what did Nadab and Abihu do wrong? The censer and the incense are within the ceremonial duties of the priesthood. Why was this offering considered strange fire and unacceptable by the Lord?

I find that if you look to the instruments and ceremony of service or even the responsibility of the priesthood, you will miss the point. Looking at people and things takes your eye off the prize.

It is not a hidden message. With plain language the Lord told Aaron why He took his sons Nadab and Abihu, “I will be glorified.” With that explanation Aaron held his peace. Peace restored is key in seeing the answer to any question. In every step of service in chapter 9 it was said as the Lord commanded Moses or as Moses commanded. In verse 10:1 we find the words, “he commanded them not”. Not that he told them “not to do it” but rather that they were not given command to do it.

Ceremonial obedience is not obedience of faith. Ritual is not obedience. This is not an examination of the motivation of the heart. It is about one thing and one thing only.

“I will be glorified.” Saith the Lord.

No more, no less.