The final words of Moses to Israel reveal that he understood what would happen in their future.  Obviously, God revealed to Moses, the prophet, these things.  God knew that Israel would act unfaithfully after they had entered the land that He was giving them (Deuteronomy 31:16-18).  We know now, due to hindsight, that this would lead to Israel being dispersed from the land.  This happened about 800 years after the days of Moses.  Jeremiah was the prophet who functioned at the time when Israel was being judged leading to their dispersion.  He declared the reason for the judgment:

The Lord said, “Because they have forsaken My law which I set before them, and have not obeyed My voice nor walked according to it.”

Jeremiah 9:13

As a result, God’s people were driven from the land.

We have previously summarized our position concerning the addendum to the Sinai covenant announced by God at Mt. Nebo.  This is sometimes referred to as the “Covenant in Moab” or “the Palestinian Covenant”.  This latter label is absurd but is commonly used.  The Covenant made at Mt. Sinai dealt with the relationship between God and His people.  This was an extension of the previous covenant made with Abraham and is eternal (Genesis 17:19).  The covenant addendum made at Mt. Nebo established what would be required of Israel to occupy and continuously possess the land of Israel.  This was Israel’s work of ministry and was conditional upon their faithfulness.  If they were unfaithful, they would be judged.  The ultimate judgment if they continued in unfaithfulness would be their exile from the land.   When Israel failed with regard to this addendum, God did not want anyone to conclude that He had cut off His people.  Jeremiah understood this.  He declared at the time of the dispersion:

Thus says the Lord, who gives the sun for light by day and the fixed order of the moon and the stars for light by night, who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar; The Lord of hosts is His name; “If this fixed order departs from before Me, declares the Lord, “Then the offspring of Israel also will cease from being a nation before Me forever,  Thus says the Lord, “If the heavens above can be measured, and the foundations of the earth searched out below; Then I will also cast off all the offspring of Israel for all that they have done, declares the Lord.”

Jeremiah 31:35-37

Note that Jeremiah is referring to the relationship aspect of the covenant.

Paul, in his letter to the church at Rome, declared the same message.  He wrote,

I say then, God has not rejected His people, has He? May it never be! ; and “I say then, they did not stumble so as to fall, did they? May it never be!.”

Romans 11:1a; Romans 11:11a

Clearly, Paul understood the distinction between the relationship aspects of Israel’s covenant and the ministry aspects of it.  It is unfortunate that the Church Fathers of subsequent centuries did not grasp what Paul understood.  They concluded that God revoked His relationship with Israel and replaced them with the Church.  This is the unscriptural doctrine of “Replacement Theology” common in Christian thought today.

God is calling real, committed believers to recognize the simple truth of Israel’s election and to identify with Israel rather than with the “universal church” and to function alongside of Israel in the quest for the Kingdom of God coming to planet earth.  A famous rabbi once prayed:

Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven….”

Matthew 6:10

In order to grasp the significance of the events leading to the death of Aaron’s sons, Nadab and Abihu, we must consider the entire setting for this event.  The Tabernacle had been erected and the Glory of the Lord had filled it.  All the congregation of Israel witnessed this awesome heavenly event.  Afterward, the Lord called Moses and commanded him concerning the offerings (Korban or approaches) which outlined how Israel was to approach the Lord.  Next came the distinguishing of the priest from the common people (ordination).  Moses dressed Aaron and his sons in their priestly attire and made sin, peace, gift and burnt offerings for them.  He sprinkled them with the blood of the offerings and with the anointing oil.  Aaron and his sons were not permitted to leave the tent of meeting for seven days, the days of consecration.

On the eight day, after being instructed by Moses, Aaron and his sons prepared to make offering for the sons of Israel.  This was the first time Aaron and his sons acted in this capacity.  When the “olah” was prepared and placed on the altar, fire came out from the Lord and consumed the offering.  All the people saw this.  They shouted and fell down on their faces.  A “holy fire” had been kindled on the altar.

Evidently, following the seven days that Aaron and his sons were separated from the sons of Israel and from their families, they must have left the tent of meeting and returned to their families.  They must have been in a celebratory mood from completing the days of consecration and having been greatly exalted before the congregation.  From the comments made after the death of Nadab and Abihu, they must have gotten into the toddy at bit too much (Leviticus 10:9). 

A part of their priestly duty was to place fire in their firepans and burn incense before the Lord.  Later, we see the incense as representing the “prayer of God’s people” symbolically being placed in the presence of the Lord (Revelation 5:8).  The fire that should have been used was from the supernatural burning on the altar which occurred when fire from the Lord had devoured the “olah” (burnt offering) which had just been made.  We conclude that due to their intoxication, Nadab and Abihu must have placed something like burning coals from their home fire and carried it into the Holy Place.  The fire of the Lord came out and consumed them.  They died there.  Their bodies were carried out by Levites who were chosen for that duty and they were buried outside the camp.

We learn an awesome lesson from this event.  The Lord declared to Moses:

“By those who come near Me I will be treated as holy, and before all the people I will be honored” (Leviticus 10:2).

The Lord declares:

“Be holy, for I am holy” (Leviticus 11:44b)

As a follower of Messiah Jesus, I believe that we should take this message very seriously.  We, as believers, confess that in Messiah Jesus we have been called to come near to the Lord, to know Him and to serve Him.  I have no tolerance for false humility or fake honor, but I believe that when we come before the Lord in prayer or worship, we should do so exhibiting the deepest respect and honor to the Lord.  I don’t believe in wearing such things as exalted religious robes, but I don’t believe we should be too casual either.  Certainly, God is moved more by a loving, humble spirit than by our outward attire.  I always think in these terms: if I were invited to attend an important function to honor some individual who had attained great fame or honor, would I come in jeans, t-shirt and shower shoes.  No, I would dress appropriately for the occasion.  In prayer and worship, we confess that we are appearing before the King of Kings, and the Lord of the Universe.  Don’t come drunk and bring a coat and tie.