Incense of Insult

By: Rev. Arnel Tan

“…..In this way they disobeyed the LORD by burning before him a different kind of than he had commanded.” Leviticus 10:1b NLT

Incense is supposed to be symbols of our worship and prayers that we offer to the Lord. It is done for the glory of God and it is a sweet aroma unto the Lord. This also symbolizes the Lord Jesus Christ who’s sacrifice at the cross is a sweet aroma to the Father. When Nadab and Abihu mixed strange element other than what the Lord requires what is supposed to be an incense of worship became an insult. Here we ask the question what went wrong? What grievous sin did they commit that made them pay for their lives?

The sin that Aaron’s son committed in man’s eyes would be no big deal but in the eyes of God it’s a big deal. God’s wrath was unleashed and their burned cadavers brought a deep sense of fear among the priest of Israel. They did not commit an honest mistake rather they disobeyed God! Their being creative went too far, it has crossed the line, between creativity to blasphemy. This is the sin of familiarity where God is taken lightly and His commands are not taken seriously.

The true worship of God is both intimate and reverent; it is a mixture of fellowship or communion and also of fear. When our worship of God is not founded on the fear of God it will not enjoy the friendship and favor of God. Remember the sin of familiarity is not committed by pagans but by God’s Priests! Those ones who enjoyed unique spiritual privileges in serving God in this temple and are entrusted with the secrets of the Almighty are in great danger of committing this sin. It is not only of the Old Testament priests or prophets this is also true to any believe today.

How is this sin committed? I think this sin subtly starts to bud when we have made self as the center of worship, and convenience as our goal to worship. In other words it is no longer about God. The desire to be emotionally feeling good and the “cleverness” to do some short cuts become the goal of worshipers and those who lead them to worship. When God is not first the pressure to find new things to make things appealing to the flesh is tremendous. When ministers are bored in doing their duties and the congregation is in a hurry to finish the weekly rituals of worship, the sin of familiarity steps in.

It is in this context that God need to introduce Himself in such a way that refreshes us of His Holiness and revives the fear of the Lord in our hearts. Each time we gather for worship do we really believe that God is present? His Presence brings freedom as well as fire. Pleasure and punishment at the same time is at hand every time we worship God. Thank God that occurrence such as this does not happen every Sunday, this is grace to give us space to fear again. The next time we treat God lightly, the next time we become obstacle in the path of which God is greatly glorified be reminded of this story. Let incenses of praise and prayer be sweet smelling to God, and nothing is so sweet in the courts of God than a broken spirit and a contrite heart. This is the offering He will not despise.