Complete Idiots: Nadab and Abihu

I'm working this week on two brothers who really define idiocy when it comes to worship: Nadab and Abihu. The Bible doesn't give us a lot of biographical information about them, but let's us know that they fit the Idiot profile.

Their dad, Aaron, was the High Priest. So, I suppose that one of them would have been in line for that important job. They worked as dad's helpers in the tabernacle.

Here are a couple of things I'm noticing from their story. . .

1) Aaron did some good things but also had some big mess-ups. For example, when big brother Moses disappeared for a while (extended stay on Mount Sinai), Aaron was pressured by the people to provide something visible/physical for them to worship. He caved in to popular demand and let the folks worship a golden calf. Bad idea. When Moses showed up, the gig was up. A lot of people died. No doubt Moses' nephews took all of this in. . .but it doesn't seem like they learned a lot from what happened.

2) In their cerimonial function as assistants to the High Priest (i.e., dad), Nadab and Abihu offered up "strange fire" before the Lord. No one really knows exactly what this means (theories abound), but it was enough for God to strike them dead. Ouch.

3) One of their likely "crimes" was coming into the Holy of Holies at their own discretion. (Lev. 16.1-2)

4) Apparently the brothers were "party boys" who liked the hooch a little too much. Right after God strikes them down, the Lord warns Aaron not to enter into his presence drunk (see Lev. 10). Likely, the "strange fire" and drunkkenness were connected. Coming into the presence of God while drunk WAS NOT a good idea!

There are probably a number of lessons to be learned from their story but the most obvious one to me is that those who are called to serve as spiritual leaders of God's people need to have a deep respect for the Lord and not take their calling lightly. God deserves to be treated seriously by those who are called to serve his people.

Side note: When I was younger, the story of Nadab and Abihu was always used as an argument against introducing innovations into worship (i.e., instrumental music). I think an argument against instrumental music in worship based on the Nadab and Abihu story requires more exegetical creativity than I'm comfortable with. We need to be careful to take biblical narratives as they are and not try to use them to promote our own agenda.