Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
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Leviticus
Book: Leviticus
Chapter: 10
Overview:
The
Sin and
Death of
Nadab and
Abihu.
(1,2) Aaron and his sons
forbidden to
Mourn for
Nadab and
Abihu.
(3-7) Wine forbidden to
the priests when in the service of the
Tabernacle.
(8-11) Of
Eating the holy things.
(12-20)
1,2 Next to
Moses and
Aaron, none were more likely to be
honourable in
Israel than
Nadab and
Abihu. There is reason to
think that they were puffed up with pride, and that they were
heated with
Wine. While the people were prostrate before the
Lord, adoring his presence and
Glory, they rushed into the
Tabernacle to burn
Incense, though not at the appointed time;
both together, instead of one alone, and with
Fire not taken
from the
Altar. If it had been done through ignorance, they had
been allowed to bring a
Sin-Offering. But the soul that doeth
presumptuously, and in contempt of
God's majesty and
Justice,
that soul shall be cut off. The
Wages of
Sin is
Death. They died
in the very act of their
Sin. The
Sin and
Punishment of these
priests showed the imperfection of that priesthood from the very
beginning, and that it could not shelter any from the
Fire of
God's wrath, otherwise than as it was typical of
Christ's
priesthood.
3-7 The most quieting considerations under affliction are
fetched from the
Word of God. What was it that
God spake? Though
Aaron's
Heart must have been filled with anguish and dismay, yet
with silent submission he revered the
Justice of the stroke.
When
God corrects us or ours for
Sin, it is our duty to accept
the
Punishment, and say, It is the
Lord, let him do what seemeth
him good. Whenever we
Worship God, we come nigh unto him, as
spiritual priests. This ought to make us very serious in all
Acts of devotion. It concerns us all, when we come nigh to
God,
to do every religious
Exercise, as those who believe that the
God with whom we have to do, is a holy
God. He will take
vengeance
On those that profane his sacred name
By trifling with
him.
8-11 Do not
Drink Wine or
Strong Drink. During the time they
ministered, the priests were forbidden it. It is required of
Gospel ministers, that they be not given to
Wine, 1Ti 3:3. It
is, Lest ye die; die when ye are in
Drink. The danger of
Death,
to which we are continually exposed, should engage all to be
sober.
12-20 Afflictions should rather quicken us to our duty, than
take us from it. But our unfitness for duty, when it is natural
and not sinful, will have great allowances made for it;
God will
have
Mercy, and not
Sacrifice. Let us profit
By the solemn
warning this history conveys. When professing worshippers come
with zeal without knowledge,
Carnal affections, earthly,
Light,
vain, trifling thoughts, the devices of will-
Worship, instead of
the
Offering of soul and
Spirit; then the
Incense is kindled
By
a flame which never came down from
Heaven, which the
Spirit of a
holy
God never sent within their hearts.