Would the Lord have been pleased if I had eaten the sin
offering today? (Leviticus 10:19).
Nadab and Abihu, Aaron’s sons, offered fire before the Lord
in a manner contrary to what had been prescribed. The consequence for this
unauthorized fire was a death sentence by fire from God’s presence.
After the tragic deaths of his children, Aaron and his two
younger sons were not only forbidden to take the day off from their work in the
tabernacle; they were barred from showing any sign of mourning at all. Later in
the day, Moses found that a goat sacrificed as a sin offering had been
completely consumed by the altar fire, along with a burnt offering,
even though a portion of the sin offering was specifically to be eaten by the
priests. Aaron defended himself and his sons by reminding Moses they had been
faithful to carry out their duties that day in spite of the loss they had
endured.
It is probable the three men did not eat because of their
grief over the deaths of Nadab and Abihu. They did not display their mourning
by calling in sick to work, or by tearing their clothes, but they may have been
too burdened or heart-sick to eat.
Having heard Aaron’s explanation, Moses was satisfied that
the digression was birthed out of sincere hearts, and not meant as an offense
against God.
TODAY’S MEDITATION
Have you ever had to defer
grief? If so, you know how Aaron and his sons felt. If you’re in that situation
now, where you’re hurting but life must go on, ask for strength and make an
appointment to grieve later.
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