Died Before The Lord

Leviticus 10:2 – And fire came out from before the Lord and consumed them, and they died before the Lord.

Numbers 11:1 – And the people complained in the hearing of the Lord about their misfortunes, and when the Lord heard it, his anger was kindled, and the fire of the Lord burned among them and consumed some outlying parts of the camp.

Psalm 2:12 – Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way, for his wrath is quickly kindled. Blessed are all who take refuge in him.

Exodus 28:1 – “Then bring near to you Aaron your brother, and his sons with him, from among the people of Israel, to serve me as priests—Aaron and Aaron's sons, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar.

Numbers 3:4 – But Nadab and Abihu died before the Lord when they offered unauthorized fire before the Lord in the wilderness of Sinai, and they had no children. So Eleazar and Ithamar served as priests in the lifetime of Aaron their father.

Acts 5:1-3,9 – But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, and with his wife's knowledge he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and laid it at the apostles' feet. But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land?... But Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.”

2 Samuel 6:7 – And the anger of the Lord was kindled against Uzzah, and God struck him down there because of his error, and he died there beside the ark of God.

Application:

• ·         When Nadab and Abihu were killed, a new era was being inaugurated. The new community had to be made aware that it existed for God, not vice versa.
• ·         Numbers repeatedly emphasizes the complete obedience of Moses and the people to the dictates of the Lord. The people eventually reverted to disloyal complaints.
• ·         Kissing was a sign of submission. Submission to an Assyrian king was expressed by kissing his feet.
• ·         Priests were to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins and to deal gently with those who are ignorant and are going astray. Another important function of the priests was to read the law of Moses to the people and remind them of their covenant obligations.
• ·         Proximity to God’s holiness requires righteousness and obedience from His priests.
• ·         Love of praise for generosity and love for money led to the first recorded sin in the life of the church, Ananias and Sapphira. It is a warning to the readers that God cannot be mocked.
• ·         Ananias and Sapphira had a right to keep back whatever they chose, but to make it appear that they had given all when they had not was sinful.
• ·         Peter notes the continuing activity of Satan through Ananias and Sapphira.
• ·         It was important to set the course properly, with Ananias and Sapphira, at the outset of the church in order to leave no doubt that God will not tolerate hypocrisy and deceit.
• ·         With Uzzah, the Lord gives a shocking and vivid reminder to David and Israel that those who claim to serve Him must acknowledge His rule with absolute seriousness.

All Scripture verses taken from ESV