LEVITICUS 10 – UNFORGIVABLE SIN: DESPISING THE HOLINESS OF GOD –
- Pr Enos Mwakalindile
- Jul 25
- 7 min read
Updated: Jul 28
Drawing Close to God: Visit Leviticus, Look to Jesus
❓ What happens when we despise God's holiness with the fire of our own making?
🪔 INTRODUCTION AND CONTEXT
In the midst of the ceremony of the inauguration of the priesthood, where everything was proceeding in order and splendor, we are shocked by a sudden event —the death of Nadab and Abihu, sons of Aaron . They died before the Lord because they entered with “strange fire” that God had not commanded (Leviticus 10:1–2).
This chapter does not deal with obvious sins like adultery or murder, but with the sin of worship not directed by God —bringing fire not from God’s altar, but from their own heads. This is a terrifying story for all who seek to approach God without humility and holiness.
Throughout Leviticus, sin is not just breaking the law, but breaking fellowship—taking off your shoes before holy ground and treading on it by seeking your own way. The strange fire was not just a ritual disturbance, but an attempt to establish “alternative ways” to gain grace.
This was not just a religious error. It was an attempt to establish a new system of worship—without the word of the Lord.
📖 READ FIRST – LEVITICUS 10:1–20
Take time to read the entire chapter calmly. Consider:
What did Nadab and Abihu do wrong?
What are the responses of God, Moses, and Aaron?
What lessons emerge about holiness and humility?
📚 STUDY OUTLINE FOR LETIVICUS 10
📍 STRANGE FIRE: THE SIN OF NADAB AND ABIHU (vv. 1–2)
The sin of Nadab and Abihu is described as lighting “strange fire” not from God’s altar (Leviticus 16:12). The earlier laws (Exodus 30:7–9) made it clear that incense was to be burned in a prescribed manner with special fire from God himself. By violating this, they disrespected God’s presence above the ark of the covenant (Exodus 40:34–35) and thus brought swift judgment. Some say they served while drunk, which distracted them from the focus of the ministry (compare Leviticus 10:8–11). This incident shows that worship cannot be changed according to human whims but must follow God’s instructions (Numbers 3:4; 26:61).
Discussion question: Are we giving off “foreign fire” in our ministries today through pride or personal ambition?
📍 GOD'S JUDGMENT AND HOLYNESS (vv. 3–7)
This judgment reveals God’s holiness and calls for caution. Moses recalled God’s statement: “Among those who approach me, I will be proved holy; in the sight of all the people I will be honored” (Leviticus 10:3). This statement relates to incidents where people were disrespectful and were judged, such as when Miriam was struck with leprosy for opposing Moses (Numbers 12:1–10) and when Korah and his followers were swallowed up by the earth (Numbers 16:1–35).
Why could such sins not be atoned for by the blood of sacrifice? Because they represented a direct affront to God’s presence and commandments, undermining the foundation of the covenant and showing willful rebellion against God’s rule. Blood sacrifices were provided for unintentional sins or human failings (Leviticus 4:1–3), but such proud and willful transgressions were considered “willful cutting off of the neck” (Numbers 15:30–31) and required direct divine judgment rather than sacrificial atonement. God’s holiness requires deep respect and humility, not superficial worship.
Aaron remained silent, showing inner humility and accepting God's judgment without objection, similar to Eli's response to Samuel when he heard the word of judgment: "It is the Lord; let him do what seems good to him" (1 Samuel 3:18).
Discussion question: How can we develop a humble heart that remains silent before God's judgment?
📍 THE REMEDIES OF DRUNKENNESS (vv. 8–11)
After this judgment, God commanded Aaron and his sons not to drink wine or strong drink when entering the temple (Leviticus 10:8–11). This law is consistent with the High Priest’s instructions in Exodus 28:36–38, where the crown of Holiness to the Lord was to be worn at all times while clean and sober. Drunkenness implies a lack of concentration and reverence in the work of worship, a state contrary to the holiness required of priests (Numbers 6:1–3 regarding the Nazirite vow).
Israel, who had been appointed to be a nation of priests (Exodus 19:5–6), were required to avoid being led by foolish desires and to live with awe and reverence for God. However, when they abandoned this calling, they failed to fulfill their responsibility: they lusted after the flesh and their desires led to rebellion (Numbers 11:4–10), they made a golden calf thinking they were worshipping God (Exodus 32:1–8), and they ignored the great commandment to love the Lord their God with all their heart (Deuteronomy 6:4–9). The nation of priests was to serve their God with the care and fear, obedience, and reverence that He deserves.
Discussion question: What types of “spiritual drunkenness” can damage our ministries today?
📍 PRIESTLY DISPUTE AND GOD’S MERCY (vv. 12–20)
Moses was angry because the sin offering was not eaten as it was supposed to be (Leviticus 6:19–23). Aaron, filled with sorrow over the death of his sons, explained that their hearts were not ready to partake of the sacred food of the altar. According to the law, the priests were to eat these offerings with joy and thanksgiving as a sign of communion with God and to bear the guilt of the people (Exodus 29:31–33). In his grief, Aaron felt that eating the offering would be disrespectful to God.
When Moses heard this explanation, he agreed, realizing that God looks at a person’s heart more than their outward actions (compare Numbers 18:9–11 regarding the priestly food). This incident reveals that God’s mercy can be seen even in the midst of severe judgment, preferring a heart of reverence and humility over a ritualistic worship performed without true heart involvement.
Discussion question: What does Moses' anger about not eating the offering reveal about the challenge between carefully observing God's commands and dealing with human weakness?
🛡️ THEOLOGICAL REFLECTIONS: GOD'S GLORY SHOULD NOT BE PLAYED WITH
This chapter teaches us that not all worship pleases God. Good intentions are not enough —obedience and holiness are essential.
God is Holy and to be feared. Closeness to God is like the sun—giving light and life to those who approach with reverence, but also capable of burning and destroying if one approaches unprotected and in an unsanctioned way.
Worship cannot invent its own way. Nadab and Abihu tried to invent their own way to approach God. It is like an astronaut trying to approach the sun without clothing to protect himself from its fire. The results were disastrous, teaching us that creativity unguided by revelation can turn light into darkness.
Jesus Christ is the authorized way. Consider the incident of Nadab and Abihu who died for offering strange fire—it is a stark lesson that there is no salvation in any other way but through Jesus (John 14:6). He is the High Priest (Hebrews 4:14–16; 5:1–10), who opens the door for us to approach with boldness and reverence, not with fear but with hope.
The new temple in Christ. Jesus declared that his body is the new temple (John 2:19-21). These words changed the perspective: God’s holiness is no longer confined to a building, but lives within believers. We, called the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 6:19-20), carry his presence, which adds weight and dignity to the holy lives we live every day.
🔥 LIFE APPLICATION LESSONS
In an age of professional worship and spiritual entertainment, do we realize that the fire of the Lord is not to be trifled with?
A good sacrifice is not just an attractive one, but one that is dedicated to God, with a broken heart.
Ask yourself:
Is my worship a response to the revelation of God's word or is it a reflection of my desires?
Am I so tired of the true path that I am looking for another fire to rekindle?
Have I learned to remain silent in the face of God's judgment like Aaron—or am I quick to defend myself?
👥 MORE QUESTIONS TO DISCUSS IN GROUPS
In today's spiritual life, what could a "strange fire" be?
How can we ensure that our worship is done as God wants, not to glorify ourselves?
What do you learn from Aaron's silence in the face of God's judgment?
Are there rituals in our society that we are familiar with but have a foreign fiery origin?
🛤️ SPIRITUAL PRACTICE OF SEARCHING FOR TRUE FIRE
Sit quietly for 5 minutes today, silent before the Lord.
Ask:
“Oh Lord, what strange fire have I carried? Show me. Correct me.”
Read Hebrews 12:28–29: “Let us worship God in a way that is acceptable to him, with reverence and awe. For our God is a consuming fire.”
🙏 FINAL PRAYER
O HOLY GOD ,
You are exalted above all,
Do not let my soul bring foreign fire before you.
Light me from your altar—the fire of repentance,
The fire of love, the fire of obedience.
Act upon me, Lord, not in anger, but in grace.
And may my worship be a sweet fragrance before you.
In the name of our High Priest, Jesus Christ.
Amen.
➡️ NEXT LESSON: “LEVITICUS 11 – PHYSICAL CLEANSING, SPIRITUAL DISCERNMENT”
Is there spiritual wisdom in the list of clean and unclean animals? How can we discern what makes us unclean before God today?
💬 FEEDBACK AND FELLOWSHIP
For online discussions and sharing your insights on this study, visit our fellowship forum on facebook or right here at Maisha-Kamili.com. Post your comments, questions, and testimonies about how the message of Leviticus 10 speaks to your life today. Your participation builds faith and encourages others in their walk with God.
📚 SOURCES AND REFERENCES
L. Michael Morales , Who Shall Ascend the Mountain of the Lord? The argument that Leviticus 10 is a warning that the way to approach God must be the way He Himself has established.
John Walton , The Lost World of Torah , a gateway to worship structures – He contextualizes the laws of the Torah as a guide to the temple and dwelling place of God, rather than just moral principles.
Ellen G. White , Patriarchs and Prophets , explains the story of “Nadab and Abihu” as a spiritual warning against self-indulgence, and the importance of perfect obedience before God.
Jacob Milgrom , Leviticus 1–16 (Anchor Yale Bible) – A detailed explanation of the error of Nadab and Abihu as using “strange fire” not from the altar.
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