Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1902-08-07
THE SABBATH SCHOOL
International Lesson Comments for
August 10.
Subject: Nadab and Abihu -Tcmpcra Les
son, Lew X, l.ll-GoIdea Text, J, These
VI, 6--Msmory Verses, S'li-Corl.
hiedtaty on the Days Lesson.

r1entafy on the Days Lesson
"Nadab and Abihu" These were the
eldest sons of Aaron and, nephews OF
Moses. They were mex. to Aaron, in posi-
ton and rank. They had just been m
1ucted into the priestly office, and their
first, acts as priests brought them n, TO oos
sci used for burning incense. Incense.
The sacred perfume offered to God by
burning. 1t was composed Of fragrant
spices lex 80: 34-3S), and was symbol OF
prayer. "Strange fire." Instead Of talking
fire which the Lord Himself had kindled
(chap. 0:24, from off the altar OF burnt
offering, they took common fire which
was expressly forbidden. Chap. l6; L.
| Their sin seems to have consisted, l.. In
going without orders. 2. in taking their
own censers, instead Of using the utensils
| of the sanctuary 3. In doing what none
| but the high priest was allowed to 40.
| 4. In that they went together at the same
| time, whereas the incense was only to be
| offered by one. 5. In going at an hour
| not appointed for this service: g. In Of
| fering strange fire. 1t is thought by some
| that they. even entered into the holy OF
| holcs The whole service on this solemn
| day Of Inauguration was to be performed
| by Aaron himself. and his sons were only
! to attend him. These two young priests
| we're presumptuous, rash and irrevercnt.
1t is the prevailing opinion that they we're
in a state Of intoXication when they en-,
tered upon their duties (see vs.. 8, ". ana
that this was the reason they acted SO
rashly and wickedly.
| 9 "Fire from the Lord" Fire from
the Lord had just consumed the burnt,
I offering and the fat upon the altar, u: ~
| in token of divine compaccncy and sacred
ncarnCss and the acceptance OF human
worship, and that some fire went out
from the Lord and consumed the auda-
cious priests. The very fire which they
| had sighted was now the instrument OF
their destruction. So Gods truth is
| SAVIOR of life unto life or of death unto
| death 9 Cor g. l4l6. The Holy Spirit
| will either regenerate Titus 3: 81 and seal
| us Ooh. 4: 30), or consume us. Heb. ";
| 20. "Dicd before the Lord That is, he
fore the veil that covered the mcrcy-seat.
| God was now teaching His children obe-
| dencc as became servants. In this SIN
was manifested 4 contempt for Moses i ana
| the divine law, and for Gods glory. Inc
| punishment was necessary according to
| the law.
3. Sanctioned" etc 81 will be made
to appear holy by those who administer
| in Nv name" This refers directly to the
priests They had received solemn warn
| ngs as to the cautious and rcvercnt man
ncr of their approach into the divine
presence. aaron held his peace lie
submitted in silent resignation to what
he saw was "the righteous Judgment OF
| God" Far be it from him to honor his
sons more than God, or wish Gods name,
or house, or law, to be exposed to re-
| proach or contempt to preserve his tamlF.
4. "Out of the camp The huryns
place of the Jews was without the camp.
5. "In their coats Burying them in
at
being polluted by the sin of their lrrchg,
ious wcarers. Aaron was not permitted
to die in his pricSt,y garments, IN order
| that they might be worn by E'cazar.
Num- 90 %. -,
| 6 Uncover not your heads" They
were to use no sign of grief or mourning.
| l. Because those who were employed N
the service of the sanctuary should aroni
| everything that might unfit them for that
brethren was 50 highly provoking to God.
and so fully mcritcd the punishment
| which He had inflicted. that their mourn
ing might he considered as accusing the
Divine Justice of undue severity. 1t was
the law that the priest should never leave
the altar or go to hurials, or interrupt his
sacred ministry by shedding tears. "Nho!e
house Of Israel" All the people were to
hewail the burning, not only ON account
Of the loss of their priests. but especially
because God had been displcased. ",lhcy
must hewail the burning kindlcd, that 1t
might burn no further. Aaron and his
sons were in danger of being too much
affected with the providence, therefore
!hev are forbidden to mourn; the house
oi Israel was III danger OF beng too niue
affected. and therefore are commanded TO
lament
7. "Shall not go out, /" They were not
| In come in contact with secular affairs by
abandoning the service OF the tabernac!r'
Lest We die" Many Christian minister
has suffered spiritual death by yoiuntar-
Nv going forth from the tabernacle to en-
Ter upon secular matters,
q. "Spalie unto Aaron" This command
vas Immediately given to Aaron to en-
courage him by such a token OF regard !;
ind because the Lord would not have It
appear as if Moses had not sympath ized
N his afiiiction. or had intended to charge
him with criminaty in tins respect -,
0. "Do not drunk wine, etc. Ih'SS
strongly implies that Aaron's sons had
tnned through excess of wine, and mad
attempted to celebrate the dlN'ne service
in a state of inchration.' This VINE IL
IN Hebrew 'yayin,' the most general term
Tor the beverage, especially when 1t Is IN
| ioXicatng. In sCventy-ivc ont OF nun
ired and thirtysix passages 1t Is spoken
Of with condemnation by reason OF ITS
disastrous effects Strong drink Is APP
piled to all fermcnted liquors except VINE
It included beer and cider and the fer.
mcnted juices OF various other fruits and
vegetables" Lest We die" God fixes
the penalty and gives 1t as a warning
10. May put difference" ITO be able,
70 distinguish between what was sacred
and what was common. Wine draws a
elm over the spiritual eve and confounds
moral distinctions" This is strong
reason why they should drink no lntoxl-
rating liquor, that their understanding
being clear, and their judgment correct
they might be always able to discern he
tween the clean and the nnclean ana ever
pronounce righteous Judgment. Indeed
common sense Itself sh' VS. that neither q
tlrunkard nor sot should ever be sui
(ered to minister in holy things"
IL. "Teach the children The priest
was the proper person to teach. and II
he were addicted to drunkenness he would
be indeed very unfit to teach people GOD
laws or statutes for two reasons, namely
Because they who live after the flesh can
not have an experimental knowledge OF
the things of the Spirit; and because they
would, by their example, destroy all their
own teaching. Drunkenness is sinful
therefore is considered fleshly. Temper
ance is a virtue and does not unfit one to
learn of Christ and the things of His
kingdom" "Thc law of the Lord is per
feet, converting the SOUL
Nod Made Will Legal.