These are words to strike terror into the heart. Although these men were "priests" before God, two were destroyed before the altar of the Lord and two were slain by the Philistines. None of them walked in obedience to the commands of God and none of them honored His worship aright... they all paid for their presumptions with their lives. How different would the landscape of the church be today, if God dealt with all who claim to speak His words in this same manner? How frequently are we guilty of the sin of using the things of God for our own ends? How often do we despise the worship of God to simply promote us? While there is always forgiveness in Christ, there is also a dire warning that an accounting will be demanded of all who lead God's lambs... He is very jealous for His own. It is crucial for those of us in ministry to understand this very basic truth, we do not lead the church on our own desire, whim or preference. We lead under His authority and will be judged the harsher for the privilege. Let us all be careful what we teach, what we demand, what we expect and how we lead... but let the flock of God also be careful of who they follow. Choose wisely, and together we can know the blessing and the wonder of our Father's good pleasure.