The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-08-09

pose of God was to be served In aud by
the methods of the tabernacle. Withal
the forms and ceremonies there to be In,
troduced were most OF them typical OF
things to come In the new dispen5aticn
when Messiah should appear and conduct
more spiritual worship by simpler meth
DDS. These were therefore good reasons
for entering with reverence into that
which had been appointed. The priests
were responsible for proper behavior.
OFFENSE..- would hardly expect
that on the day following the joyous SER
Vices of the tabernacle sin would again
appear in Israel. But the perversity Of
human nature was destined to exhibit It
self again. Nadab and Abihu. the first
and second born of the four SONS of
Aaron plumbers, Ill, 80, took their CEN
sers, put incense therein, and offered
strange fire before the Lord. In this they
committed several offenscs. 1t Is not
probable that incense might be offered ut
all time Neviticus, xvi, 1-3). Besides.
the priests were to serve singly and by
turns. Uuke, |. 81 Neither had these
two right to enter the tabernacle-that
was the privilege of Moses and Aaron
only, and they were only assistants to
the latter to follow his instructions. tLe-
viticus. iy, 1928. Moses had the custody
of the incense EXODUS. xxxiX. 3S), and,
as, their act was irregular, they took some
not consecrated CExodus xxx. %. and. for
burning it. they took fire that had not
been on the altar. Revelations. will, 81
All this was rash. irreverent and con-
temptuous treatment of sacred things.
Why did they act thus? We may not
discern their motives. Many conjectures
have been made. The more common
opinion Is that they were proud of the
new honor that had come to them, as If
they had forgotten that they were sinful
men. subordinates to the high priest, SUBJ
ject to law.
PUNIS1MENT.-A fearful visitation
from God came upon these men while
they were offering incense. Fire came
forth and struck them both down dead.
This fire was the symbol of Divine pres
ence and wrath. deuteronomy iv. 24)
On the day before it consumed the sacri-
flee. Now it is directed toward the Of
ficiating priest. Other cases of it's de-
stroying power are recorded. plumbers,
xvi, 35.) To lis this seems to have been
a severe punishment We might be dis
posed to plead that these young men
were inexperienced, having been but lit
tie time in office; that they were entitled
to another trial, or at least time to re-
pent; that because of their relation to
Moses and Aaron and because only two
priests would be left, they ought to have
been spared; that 1t was a pity to take
them away childless plumbers, iii, a, ana
so cut off their name forever But we
must remember that God had declared
His purpose to destroy individual trans
gressors EXODUS, NXXi, 33), SO that there
had been ample warning rileir position
ought not to shield them. the more exalt-
ed the offender. the greater should be the
penalty Furthermore. the Israelites
were under schooling. A few days before
they went over to idolatry. They must
now by a severe lesson, not likely to be
forgotten plumbers. XVI, 6D, be made to
know Gods purpose to secure obedience
and reverence. without which His plan
for this people can never be accom-
plished.
REASON.-This great calamity the
instant death of two priests while in the
tabernacle engaged in service-must have
produced great CONSERVATION among all
classes. What did it mean? The ques-
tion doubtless was upon every lip. Moses.
the servant and mouthpiece of God. steps
forward to explain With the utmost
calmness and simplicity he vindicates
God and lays bare the offense which has
thus awakened His wrath. He speaks to
Aaron, his brother, who. as father OF
the deceased. was most afflicted, and who,
sad event. "This is In accordance with
the Lords own utterance.' he said. re-
ferring probably to several declarations.
What We're they? "I will be sanctified
in them that come nigh me-" that is, the
priests. that 1 may be glorified before
all the people," EXODUS, xix. 22.) 1t was
not to be expected that religion among
the masses would reach any higher plain
than it did among the ministers. So in
,,ft ataI 1,Nl1, <>f
fering holy service in q holy place
(Ezekiel, Kill 13). is the best guarantee of
popular religion. Aaron listened to his
brothers words and held his peace.
BURIAL.-The bodies of the dead must
be removed from the tabernacle and
buried. Moses gave instructions concern
ing this matter, that were calculated to
observe the proprieties OF the place and
the occasion, minister somewhat to the
feelings of the bereaved. and protect the
cause of God against any evils that might
arise. Michael and Elizaphan EXODUS,
vi, 32), sons of Uzziel, Aarons uncle. were
called to conduct the funeral rites. 1t
was proper that they should have charge,
because, being Levites Numbers, |,
47-50), their business was to take care of
the tabernacle, and, consequently, to re-
move from it anything not properly be-
ioHSlHS III iuty pIoCeeoou 10 us
charge their duty in u quiet, unostenta-
tious manner They carried the bodies
out of the camp uuke, vii, 2D, because
they could not be buried within. (Acts,
V, 6) And they were laid away in their
priests coats. thus signifying that their
office perished with them. The whole
ceremony was we'll suited to express
humble submission to God. to show due
regard for the tabernacle and its insti-
ftttn hal 20 In tl@ don
away with decent respect
MOURNING-In those days as now,
eastern people were eXtravagant in their
expression of sorrow. The hope of an
other life did not illumine the grave, and
death In any form was regarded calam-
ity UI Samuel, xviii, 33) On this occa-
sion Moses interfered, that the mourning
might not in any wise disturb the re-
liglous interests of the congregation.
Aaron and his two sons were forbidden
to Join in the demonstrations of grief.
They were not to 60 out of the taber-
nacle, or to rend their clothes EXODUS,
XXviii, 42-43), or to uncover their heads;
that is, remove their bonnets QIXodus,
xviii, 400 The reason assigned for this
interdiction was that the amounting oil
was upon them EXODUS. xxx, u, that is,
they had been consecrated to the priest
hood. and they must not leave the duties
of their office, even to bury a son or
brother, This was afterwards enacted as
permanent law Ueviticus, xxi, l, 1912;
Numbers, vi, ~ The service of the sane
tuary must not be suspended The priest
must be constant intercessor (Num-
hers, xvi, l69 So was the prophet in af-
ter centuries. Ezekiel. xiv, 16-17) And
Moses gave solemn warning. Lest ye
die" and, fearing that they should be
visited aS Nadah and Ahihu had haan