“1 These are the family records of Aaron and Moses at the time the Lord spoke with Moses on Mount Sinai. 2 These are the names of Aarons sons: Nadab, the firstborn, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. 3 These are the names of Aarons sons, the anointed priests, who were ordained to serve as priests. 4 But Nadab and Abihu died in the Lords presence when they presented unauthorized fire before the Lord in the Wilderness of Sinai, and they had no sons. So Eleazar and Ithamar served as priests under the direction of Aaron their father.”
Numbers 3:1-4
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This sometimes falls under the category of unusual passages. What is ‘strange’ or ‘unauthorized’ fire? How can you make the wrong kind of fire (isn’t there only one kind?) And why is God so picky over how you bring fire?

Well, it’s not as simple as that, and there is a lesson for all of us to learn here. First things first, Abihu & Nadab weren’t carrying torches or matches or lighters or anything so simple, this was in regards to the incense being offered. God had given the people -very- specific instructions in every aspect of their worship of Him. He had given them something distinctive to do in His Name, and when Abihu and Nadab decided to do things their own way, directly ignoring the commands of God, they paid the price. And even that may sound harsh, so we need to look deeper.

The Israelite people had been living in a foreign culture, exposed to false gods and heathen practices in regards to worship for several generations at this point. Their understanding for how worship was to be conducted is further evidenced in the affair with the golden calf. They didn’t understand how to follow God or worship Him properly, and they needed to learn that He wasn’t just some false, local god, but the One True God, the Living One, Creator of all things and Lord of Hosts. He was not created by human hands or the human heart. He exists, period. He is the Alpha & Omega. And the Israelites needed to learn again just who He is, and so He set apart the worship in a distinct style & manner, something not drawn from other religions and false gods, but something of His own. And so when, Nadab & Abihu came to God essentially saying, “I know you said to do it this way, but we’re going to do this the way we want.” it’s no surprise that they were immediately punished. They were supposed to be the example for the people, leading them in their worship of God, following His instructions to the “T” because whatever attitude they adopt, whatever credence they give to the worship of GOd, the people will emulate. And if they show up with a ‘o it my way’ attitude, then that sentiment is just going to travel on down through the ranks of Levites and into the homes of all the Israelites. So, home-brewed incense is definitely a bad thing and absolutely unacceptable.

When it comes to our worship styles in church, is there a correlation here? Can we look at this ‘strange fire’ and say that one style of worship is correct and the other isn’t? Hymns vs. Choruses? Instruments vs. vocals?
No. There is no correlation to that discussion. Choruses and hymns are both songs being lifted up to God in praise. Style is a personal preference issue, and has no relevance here. The correlation would be if we decided to add something into the worship service or our daily worship of God that was not prescrbed, or specifically spoken against, and those options are myriad, but suffice it to say, we must honor Go with our worship in ways that He has indicated He desires to be worshipped.

God used voices and instruments, artisans and festivals, sacrifices and incense, garments and readings all in worship of Him. Some of these elements were taken on by Jesus and so we have no need to try to replace Him with them. We make no more animal sacrifices, but we do sacrifice our time, resources and service to God. We don’t need a ‘priest’ as go between because Jesus Himself is our mediator. We don’t need a temple, because Jesus tore down that barrier, the curtain, with His death, and so, just like Jesus told the Samaritan woman, the people of God don’t have a specific location where worship takes place, but it does take place in spirit and in truth.

So, when Nadab and Abihu basically told God, ‘Thanks, but we’ve got this.’ they received in their bodies the punishment due for their arrogance. Today, we are told to offer our bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, this is our spiritual act of worship. It’s not a legalistic thing, it’s a submission issue. It’s not about works, but about obedience. We cannot listen to Godd, claim to obey Him and still say, “Yeah, but…” whenever we feel like doing things our own way. We do our best to GoLove others when we first love God, and the heart that truly loves God is going to do what He says, in fact, Scripture says this is so:

1 John 5:1-5
“1 Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Messiah has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father also loves the one born of Him. 2 This is how we know that we love God’s children when we love God and obey His commands. 3 For this is what love for God is: to keep His commands. Now His commands are not a burden, 4 because whatever has been born of God conquers the world. This is the victory that has conquered the world: our faith. 5 And who is the one who conquers the world but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?”