The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 196

40). (2) The composition of the incense also was right; we have no intimation to the cont~ary. Under proper conditions, therefore, the incense might appropriately ascend with the" prayers of the saints" (see Luke i. 9, 10; Rev. viii. 3, 4). (3) Bull the fire was wrong. It was a fire of their own kindling: not that which came forth from the Lord. It therefore represented their own spirit rather than the Spirit of God. No prayer can be acceptable that is not divinely inspired (see Isa. I. 10, 11; Rom. viii. 26, 27; Jas. iv. 3). It matters not how correct the form of words: the censer is nothing; or how orthodox the sentiment: the composition of the incense is nothing~ without the sacred fire (1 Cor. xiii. 1, 2). 2. That they acted without direction. (1) 'l'his is the force of the words, "which he commanded them not." Their crime was not in doing what was forbidden, but in doing wt.at was not enjoined. Will-worship is offensive to God. No body of uninspired men has any business to" decree ritefl and ceremonies." We should study the written Word to" prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God" (see Deut. iv. 2; Prov. xxx. 6; Rom. xii. 2; Rev. xxii. 18, 19). (2) 'l'hese transgressors were moved by a criminal pride. Whai had been done hitherto was done by Aaron, his sons only helping him; and done under the direction of Moses. They set divinely constituted authodty at nanght, which amounted to the despising of the authority of God. It was the very sin of Korab and his company (see Numb. xvi.). (3) They introduced confusion. One priest at a time should offer incense in order to foreshadow that One true Priesi whose merits, as incense, invests with acceptable fragrance and gives direction to the prayers of the saints (see Psa. cxli. 2, margin; Rom. viii. 34; Heb. ix. 24; Rev. viii. 3, '4c). Here two ·at once rush in. 'l'hese foreshadow the confusion of that antichrist which would make "priests" and " saints" and "angels" rivals of the one only Mediator (1 Tim. ii. 5, 6). II. TBE LESSONS OF THE PUNISHMENT. 1. God i, not to ~ trifled with. (1) He •• will be sanctified in them that come nigh" to him (see Exod. x.ix. 22; Deut. xxili 48-51 ; Isa. v. 16; Ezek. xx. 41). (2) He is "a consuming fire." He will consume our sins in the sacrifice of Christ In his mercy, or he will make ns a sacrifice and consume us in his anger. "He that believeth not shall be damned." 2. His vengeance is nften retributive. (1) They sinned by fire; they suffered by fire (see Prov. i. 31 • Isa. iii. 10, 11 ; Hos. viii. 11). (2) They preferred a fire of their own kindling to the :fire of God; God's fire put their censers out, together with the light of their life. Twice we are reminded that they had no children, viz. Numb. iii. 4; 1 Cbron. xxiv. 2. So completely was their light extinguished I IC Quench not the Spirit." 3. His retn"butions are sometimes aummary. (1) Their presumption was hasty and their destruction wo.s swift (see 2 Pet. iL 1). (2) 'l'hey found IC no space for repentllilce." They "died before the Lord," in presence of the mercy-seat, but finding no mercy. No wro.th is more terrible than "the wrath of the Lamb." (3) As their sin foreshadowed that of the Babylonish antichrist, so did their punishment betoken bis (see 2 'l'hess. ii. 3-8; Rev. xviiL 8). That judgment will be "before all the people." 1n it God will be signally "glorified." 4. Mourning for the dead has ita laws and limitations. (1) It must not interrupt the 1ervice of God (vers. 6, 7 ; see Neh. vi. 3 ; Matt, viii, 2 L, 22 ; i:ii. 47-49). (2) " Aaron held his peace." Did not murmur against God. Moses soothed him by showing that it was a necessary act of justice. Wherein God is glorified we should be content. (3) It must not have expression in the holy place, which is a type of heaven. There the wisdom and justice of the judgments of God will bo so manifest that the punishment of the wicked cannot be mourned. (4) But mourning is proper in the camp (vers. 4.-6). 'l'he funeral procession through the camp of those corpses, wrapped in the very vestments in which the deceased too vainly gloried, would be an affecting sight. Nadab and Abihu, who had been in the mount, beholding the glory of the Lord (Exod. xxiv. 1), nre now by wrath issuing from that same glory brought very low. When a king falls lie often finds a scaffold at the foot of his throne. IC Be not high-minded, but fear."- J. A. M. Vers. 1-3.-Sin and penalty in aacred things. The story of the guilt and doom of the sons of Aaron constitutes a sad episode in the recital of the sacred precepts of th& Law, We look at- I. THE CHARACTER OF THE TRA.NBGREBSION. It appears (from ver. 11\ r.ompared with 158 THE BOOK OF LEVITICUS. [en. x. 1-7.