I’ve heard some suggest that the reason Nadab and Abihu were struck by the LORD was because they were drunk. They surmise this because of God’s command a few verses later (Lev 10:9). Whether they were drunk or not: first, we’re not told; and second, it misses the point of how they failed to sanctify the Lord in the service in the tabernacle. God’s anger fell upon them because they burned incense with “unauthorized fire” (ESV). What fire were they to use? They were to use the fire which came forth from the LORD to consume the sin offering and burnt offering placed upon the bronze altar (Lev 9:24). The LORD commanded that this fire must “be kept burning on the altar continually” (Lev 6:13). Why? It represents the eternal, unquenchable fire of God’s anger which every sin against Him deserves. Moreover, it represents the eternal fire of God’s wrath poured out upon the soul of Jesus Christ, who suffered on the cross for sins He did not commit.

Service to God and worship of Him must spring forth from faith which rests upon Christ’s atoning sacrifice. Nadab and Abihu, in offering incense in the tabernacle, were representing a type of the prayers of Jesus Christ, who “always lives to make intercession” for those He is able to save to the uttermost (Heb 7:25). The sweet incense of Christ’s prayers are offered with the eternal fire of God’s wrath He endured when He hung upon Calvary’s tree.

When we attempt to pray, serve, worship, meditate, teach, preach, disciple, or observe ordinances apart from faith in Christ’s sacrifice, we do no better than Nadab and Abihu. They offered fire of their own making. Many Americans want to worship with strange fire today. May it never be so with us.

When men unfaithful serve the Lord
In ways commanded not,
Their witness contradicts God’s Word,
His wrath will be their lot.