以色列民因上帝的榮耀藉火奇妙的顯現（10：2）而滿懷畏懼，尊敬的俯伏在地敬拜上帝。緊接在他們因敬畏所產生的反應後，有一個悲劇事件發生在亞倫的兒子拿答和亞比戶身上。代表上帝悅納以色列人祭物的同一把火也成為上帝發怒、行義，攻擊祂所痛惡之對象的武器。

        拿答和亞比戶到底犯了什麼錯惹上帝大發烈怒﹖（1）從聖經上我們看到最明顯的理由是，他們在上帝面前獻凡火，是上帝沒有吩咐他們的（10：1）。他們所獻的火不是取自上帝在銅祭壇上親自點燃的聖火。（2）他們二人又帶自己的香爐進會幕，而不是使用已被分別為聖，特供會幕之用的香爐。在聖所裡只能使用成聖、專為聖職預備的器物。（3）拿答和亞比戶二人一同獻香，而這件事應該只由大祭司一人來做。他們分明是故意悖逆，僭越了大祭司的職責。他們這麼做可能是出於自己在民中享有特權地位而產生的驕傲心態。事實上，拿答和亞比戶曾在一個特別的情況裡蒙准上西乃山，並從遠處得見上帝的榮耀（出24：1），他們實在應該在上帝面前更加謙卑才對。

        （4）另一個造成他們被擊殺的可能原因是二人醉酒，因為他們的事件一發生後，上帝就強烈的警告任何祭司在進會幕供職時不得喝酒，免得死亡（10：9）。上帝的指示必須正確、深思熟慮的執行，而醉酒會影響人的理智；此外，上帝不許他們喝酒的理由還有「使你們可以將聖的、俗的，潔淨的、不潔淨的，分別出來」（10：10），發揮教導百姓上帝之律例的重要角色，並作好榜樣，過無可指責的生活。這段經文對今日那些繼續在上帝面前作「君尊祭司」（彼前2：9）的信徒不也有重大的意義嗎﹖

        拿答和亞比戶事件對所有奉獻服事上帝的人是一個警告。上帝的事和祂的聖潔不可被等閒視之。亞倫和他剩下的兒子以利亞撒和以他瑪一定受此悲劇極大的影響。他們無從抱怨，亞倫也很順從，因為上帝的審判是公正的──所以「亞倫就默默不言」。上帝是神聖的，人親近祂時也必須尊祂為聖（看今天的鑰節，10：3）。亞倫和他的兒子可能是由於畏懼而沒有吃贖罪祭的祭物，摩西因此非常生氣（10：16）。他們不敢吃聖物很可能是怕自己不配或不潔；況且，失去了弟兄，他們一定也沒有胃口，而覺得他們當時的心態不宜分享聖物（10：19）；於是他們將祭物全部焚燒，不讓祭物留下或生腐。經亞倫解釋後，摩西的怒氣才消退。亞倫和他的兩個兒子在獻祭的事上雖然也沒有順服上帝，但上帝這次很憐憫、同情、也瞭解他們，因為看起來他們有並沒有遭受懲罰。

        噢，上帝，請因我們主耶穌的緣故向我們施恩惠。我們披戴祂的公義，無瑕無疵的站在寶座前，在您的聖潔中與您相交。奉主耶穌基督聖名，阿們！

English

        Immediately following the people’s awestruck response, as they prostrated themselves and worshipped God in hear and reverence because of the divine manifestation of God’s glory by the miraculous fall of fire (10:2), we read of the tragic incident with Aaron’s sons, Nadab and Abihu. The same fire from God, which signified His acceptance and pleasure in the sacrificial offerings, became a weapon of His wrath and justice against something which very much displeased Him.

        What had Nadab and Abihu done to provoke God to such a dramatic measure? (1) The most obvious reason we find stated in the Bible is that they offered profane or strange fire before the Lord which was in disobedience to Him (10:1). It was not the holy fire taken from the bronze altar of burnt offering, which the Lord Himself had kindled. (2) Then they each brought their own censers, not the one, which had been sanctified and especially made for use in the Tabernacle. Only things consecrated for holy service were allowed inside the Holy Place. (3) Also both, men offered the incense together, whereas only one was to do this, and that was the high priest. By doing this, they deliberately and disobediently took upon themselves the duty reserved for the high priest. They may have done this because of pride or arrogance in their new privileged position. They should have been all the more humble before God since, on one special occasion, they had been permitted to ascend Mt. Sinai and, from a distance, see God’s glory (Ex.24: 1).

        (4) Another possible reason contributing to their death is that they may have been intoxicated (drunk), for immediately after this incident, the Lord gave a strong warning against any priest drinking alcohol when it is his time to go into the Tabernacle, “lest you die” (10:9). The Lord’s instructions are to be carried out properly and thoughtfully which drunkenness would prevent, along with this is the reason: “that you may distinguish between holy and unholy, and between unclean and clean” (10:10), They weir also not to drink so that they may fulfill their important role of teaching their children (both natural) and spiritual children) all the ways of the Lord, as well as being a good example and living above reproach. Does this passage not have significance for believers today, those who are the Lord’s “royal priesthood” (1 Pet. 2:9), who are continually in His presence?

        This event serves as a warning to all who are dedicated to God’s service. The things of the Lord and His holiness are not to be taken lightly. Certainly Aaron and his remaining two sons, Eleazar and Ithamar, were greatly affected by this tragedy. They could speak no words of complaint, and Aaron was submissive because the Lord’s judgments are just – “So Aaron held his peace:; God is holy and must be regarded as such when approached (see key verse, 10:3). It could have been out of fear that Aaron and his sons did not eat from the sin offering, thus angering Moses (10:16). It is possible that they were afraid to eat the holy food, in case they, too, were unworthy or unclean, and being sorrowful at the loss of their brothers, they must have had no appetite and may have felt they were not in the right attitude to partake of the holy offering (10:19). Rather than letting it remain and see corruption, they burnt it totally. With Aaron’s explanation. Moses’ anger was appeased. Though Aaron and his two sons were disobedient, this time God was merciful, compassionate, and understanding, for it appears they were not punished.

        Grant us, O Lord, Your favor because of our Lord Jesus. “Dressed in His righteousness alone, faultless to stand before the throne.” We spend time in Your holy presence.