In Leviticus chapter ten, verses one and two, Nadab and Abihu were sons of Aaron that carelessly took it upon themselves to offer something on the altar from an unauthorized source. Only the priest in the Old Testament could offer up incense on the altar, which Aaron had the authority to perform. However, Aaron’s sons apparently may have put into their censers which is unclear to be frying pans in those days, coals of fire from an unlawful source. Why did Nadab and Abihu do such careless acts? The situation is unknown, but in verse nine of this chapter, the Lord speaks to Aaron about the strong drink that may suggest his sons were under the influence of alcohol.
Nadab and Abihu, unfortunately, died because, as priests or acting as priests, they defiantly rebelled against God and His law and profaned the holy place. They both understand not to offer “strange fire” before the Lord. By their actions, those who were supposed to teach God’s law refused to take His commandments seriously. While professing to be holy ministers of God, they were serving their desires, and there was no fear of God in their lives. These two men were leaders of God’s people.
When God’s ministers commit blatant sin, it damages the established work of God from the obedient ones and His great redemptive purpose on earth. Their transgressions defile the church and all God’s people and bring dishonor to Him. For this reason, the Bible teaches that those who demonstrate a Christian life of perseverance and loyalty to God and His Word are eligible overseers of God’s people. Note that Aaron did carelessly choose to participate in the golden calf incident: it makes you wonder if the sons were there to experience that episode. Now the sons of Aaron follow suit by doing something ungodly.
The example of Nadab and Abihu demonstrates that sometimes our ungodly actions among family, members of the congregation, or fellow leaders in the church, can influence or destroy another life of those we love and care for at any time when we least expect it.