1 Aaron’s sons Nadab and Abihu put coals of fire in their incense burners and sprinkled incense over them. In this way, they disobeyed the Lord by burning before him the wrong kind of fire, different than he had commanded. 2 So fire blazed forth from the Lord’s presence and burned them up, and they died there before the Lord.
3 Then Moses said to Aaron, “This is what the Lord meant when he said,
‘I will display my holiness through those who come near me.
I will display my glory before all the people.’”
3 Then Moses said to Aaron, “This is what the Lord meant when he said,
‘I will display my holiness through those who come near me.
I will display my glory before all the people.’”
Seen things are not always what they seem to appear. We can laugh and yet be truly sad in our hearts. We can smile but we are disapproving of others. It is easy to fake what is expected of us to do but we do not actually do it from our hearts. Not everyone serving GOD is actually called by GOD to serve. Not everyone who is serving GOD in His temple or church is truly pleasing GOD. For GOD looks at the motives and status of our hearts. Why are we serving GOD? For what purpose? Is it because HE has called us to serve or is it because we just want to impress others or please people. Our service to GOD will be weighed by GOD Himself and HE will make it clear to us whether we are serving for His glory or for our own good reputation.
Even when we serve GOD we can offer to HIM the wrong kind of service when we do something that GOD has not commanded us to do. When GOD has not called us to do something, we should not be like Nadab and Abihu or else we die because of our hypocrisy. GOD despises lies and facades that we put up in our faces just to show that we are doing what is right. We may try to do what is right but out of a rebellious heart, it is not pleasing GOD. That is why GOD despised the pharisees during JESUS time because GOD knew that their god was not GOD Himself but their god was the praise and the honor of man towards them. GOD will surely display HIS holiness through whoever that wants to draw near to HIM. HE will reveal the hearts and minds and expose the lies when the fire of His Spirits comes over us. Let us therefore be careful to do everything in the wholeness of our hearts to please GOD and not the dictates of others to please people.
