A consuming fire

A consuming fire

At the end of the 9th chapter of Leviticus, and at the beginning of chapter 10, we see two demonstrations of the direct, and immediate, judgment of Jehovah.

Chapter 9 verses 3 and 4 contain details of some of the first offerings made to Jehovah after the tabernacle was set up. We read:

3 And unto the children of Israel thou shalt speak, saying, Take ye a kid of the goats for a sin offering; and a calf and a lamb, both of the first year, without blemish, for a burnt offering;

4 Also a bullock and a ram for peace offerings, to sacrifice before the LORD; and a meat offering mingled with oil: for to day the LORD will appear unto you.

In chapter 9 verse 24, we read:

And there went out fire from before Jehovah, and consumed...[what?]

In chapter 10 verse 1, we read:

And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the LORD, which he commanded them not.

In verse 2 we read:

"And there went out fire from before Jehovah, and consumed...[what?]" (The Hebrew word for "devoured" is the same word used for "consumed").

In the first instance, the fire of Jehovah "consumed on the altar the burnt-offering, and the pieces of fat".

In the second instance, the fire of Jehovah "consumed them [the sons of Aaron, Nadab and Abihu], and they died before Jehovah".

There is great significance in this: In the first case, the fire of Jehovah consumed what was left of the slaughtered, prepared and already offered pieces of the bullock and the ram. In the second case, the fire of Jehovah consumed the two living sons of Aaron, Nadab and Abihu.