Explanation: Leviticus 10 records the death by fire of Aaron's oldest sons, Nadab and Abihu. The LORD consumed them for using strange fire, which was not from the altar, to offer their incense. Moses told Aaron that they died because they failed to sanctify and glorify the LORD. And Aaron held his peace (1-3).
     Moses then called the sons of Aaron's uncle to remove the bodies and bury them outside the camp. And he forbade Aaron and his remaining sons to mourn Nadab and Abihu lest they also die and wrath come upon the congregation. Instead, the nation was to mourn their deaths. Also, Aaron and his remaining sons were required to stay in the Tabernacle because they had the anointing oil upon them (4-7).
     The LORD then told Aaron and his sons not to drink wine or strong drink when they went into the Tabernacle, lest they die, and lest they be unable to discern between holy and unholy, and clean and unclean. Also they were to stay in the Tabernacle. These regulations my indicate that Nadab and Abihu had been drinking before they sinned and died (8-11).
     Moses then told Aaron and his two remaining sons, Eleazar and Ithamar to eat the food offering beside the altar, and to eat the wave breast and the heave shoulder in a clean place because it was their right (12-15).
     Moses then sought the goat of the sin offering but discovered that it had been burnt. He then scolded Aaron and his sons for not eating it in the holy place and for not bringing its blood into the holy place. But Aaron pointed out that if he had eaten the sin offering after the things that had befallen him the LORD would not have accepted it (compare Deuteronomy 26:14). It seems, therefore, that out of a sense of sin and unworthiness, Aaron and his sons chose to fast rather than feast. Whatever the case, it is clear that Aaron's primary motivation was that he believed that the LORD would not have accepted his normal participation in the sin offering under these circumstances. And Moses seemed to agree because he was content with the answer (16-20).
     [ Sermons: William Still. Various. ]
     [ Illustration: Today's image symbolizes the death of Nadab and Abihu, as recorded in Leviticus 10. ]

     ¹⁶ And Moses diligently sought [seeking he sought] the goat of the sin offering, and, behold, it was burnt: and he was angry with Eleazar and Ithamar, the sons of Aaron which were left alive, saying, ¹⁷ Wherefore have ye not eaten the sin offering in the holy place, seeing it is most holy [holy of holies], and God hath given it you to bear the iniquity of the congregation, to make atonement for them before the LORD? ¹⁸ Behold, the blood of it was not bought in within the holy place: ye should indeed have eaten it in the holy place, as I commanded. ¹⁹ And Aaron said unto Moses, Behold, this day have they offered their sin offering and their burnt offering before the LORD; and such things have befallen me: and if I had eaten the sin offering to day, should it have been accepted in the sight of the LORD? ²⁰ And when Moses heard that, he was content [it was good in his eyes].

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