Distinguish between the Holy and the Profane

Note from today’s Bible reading: Leviticus 7-10

Nadab and Abihu “offered strange fire before the Lord, which He had not commanded them” (Leviticus 10:1). As a punishment for their sin in making an offering that was not according to the will of God, they lost their lives (Leviticus 10:2).

Immediately after this, Moses reminded Aaron of the Lord’s words, “By those who come near Me I will be treated as holy” (Leviticus 10:3). The Lord then told Aaron that he and his descendants were to be careful to “make a distinction between the holy and the profane, and between the unclean and the clean” (Leviticus 10:10).

The things of God needed not to be treated as if they were common; they were special and to be honored. Interestingly, this instruction was given along with a warning against alcohol (Leviticus 10:9). While it is possible that the sons of Aaron were drunk and sinned while under the influence, the more likely connection was that they let their emotions get the better of them so that it was as if they were drunk. They got caught up in the moment and ignored what God’s law instructed.

This is a danger for us today. It is easy to get swept away by emotions and do things in religion that feel good, but are not what the Lord desires. The punishment of Nadab and Abihu shows God’s attitude toward this.

So distinguish between the holy and the profane. Spiritual things are special and must not be mixed with things God has not instructed us to do. Instead, we need to act by His authority in all things.