以色列的會幕是透過獻祭和上帝溝通的地方，亞倫及其兒子接受重託守護會幕，在祭司團開始任聖職之前，要先經歷十個步驟的獻祭過程，以及為期七天的預備期。上帝的祝福－藉著祂強烈的同在可以看得見－瞬間轉為審判的咒詛，落在亞倫兩個悖逆的兒子身上。他們的死提醒所有的以色列人：服事聖潔的上帝是一個神聖的責任，順服不是可有可無的權宜之計，而是上帝子民的標記。

        天下沒有一件東西像好名聲那樣，得來困難失去容易。一位哲學家說：「失去名譽等於死亡。」也許你小時候曾聽到父母說：「千萬記住，不論你做的和你說的都會關係到我們的名聲。」你的父母一定也曾告訴你，家庭的名譽會因你的行為而損毀或者提升。
        也許這就是為什麼上帝要把這樣可怕的刑罰降在拿答和亞比戶的身上，由於他們的輕忽和悖逆，已經在以色列國的裡裡外外威脅到上帝的名聲－實在是嚴重的罪。
        你基督徒的生命對某些人來說，是一本即將展閱的「聖經」，你是否以你對聖潔的委身，向別人彰顯這位聖潔的上帝？或者你那言行不一致的生活，已經玷污了上帝的名譽？把下面這句話寫在卡紙上，在今天之中隨身攜帶：
        「上帝的名譽全繫在我的一言一行上，我要維護它，而不能毀損它！」
        每一次當你受試探要偏離上帝的聖潔時，就把卡片拿出來讀一讀，想一想，讓上帝使你更加完全，更加聖潔－屬於祂的完全與聖潔！

不能名副其實的危險
        拿答(意為「高貴、善良」)和亞比戶(意為「上帝是我的父親」)曾陷在玷污上帝名聲的危險中，如果容讓他們繼續犯罪，他們的家庭和這兩個原本要榮耀上帝的名字也要蒙羞了！

人不能依照明日的作為建立今天的名譽。

English

        Israel's tabernacle, the place of communion with God through sacrifice, is entrusted to the custody of Aaron and his sons. The priestly corps must undergo a ten-step consecration process and a seven-day dedication period before they can begin their ministry of mediation. God's blessing—made visible by His fiery presence—suddenly turns into a curse as judgment falls on two of Aaron's disobedient sons. Their deaths remind all Israel of the solemn responsibility of serving a holy God. Obedience, not expedience, should mark the people of God.

        Nothing is as hard to gain, and as easy to lose, as a good reputation. One philosopher has observed, "To have lost your reputation is to be dead among the living." Perhaps as a child you heard your parents say, "Remember now, what you do and say reflects on us." Your parents were telling you that the family's reputation was either being tarnished or enhanced by your actions.
        Perhaps that is why God responded with such frightening judgment upon Nadab and Abihu. By their carelessness and disobedience, they threatened God's very reputation both inside and outside the nation of Israel—a grave sin indeed.
        Your life as a Christian is the only "Bible" some people will ever read. Do you reveal to others a holy God by your commitment to holiness, or do you smear the reputation of God with an inconsistent life? Write out this thought on an index card and carry it with you today;
        "God's reputation is at stake in my life. I want to maintain it, not stain it."
        Then each time you are tempted to stray from God's holiness, pull out that card. Read it; think about it; then let God strengthen you to be wholly—and holy—His!

The Danger of Failing to Live Up to Your Name —
        Nadab ("noble, virtuous") and Abihu ("God is my father") were in danger of damaging more than the reputation of their God. If allowed to continue in their sinful ways, they would have besmirched both their families and the godly names they carried.

No one can build a reputation on what he's going to do tomorrow.