So fire came out from the presence of the Lord and consumed them, and they died before the Lord. Leviticus 10:2, NIV

 

Have you heard of Mary Reeser’s macabre demise? On 2 July 1951, Mary was burned to ashes – without an obvious source of ignition – in her own apartment in St Petersburg, Florida. Only some body parts remained, notably a foot clad in a satin slipper. The surrounding apartment, however, suffered remarkably little damage.

 

It was thought to be spontaneous human combustion. The wick effect is now regarded as a possible explanation. Strange, indeed!

 

Stranger still is the story of Aaron’s eldest sons, Nadab and Abihu. They had actually been allowed to go up on Mount Sinai with Moses, Aaron and 70 elders “and saw the God of Israel. Under his feet was something like a pavement made of lapis lazuli, as bright blue as the sky. But God did not raise his hand against these leaders of the Israelites; they saw God, and they ate and drank.” (Exodus 24:10-11)

 

“Unforgettable” is hardly the word to describe it. Leviticus 9:24 details how heavenly fire had fallen to consume the burnt offerings after the tabernacle had been dedicated. Israel was jubilant. It was short-lived.

 

Not long after, the two brothers took their censers, put fire in them and added incense, and then offered unauthorised fire before the Lord. This ‘strange fire’ led to their untimely demise.

 

God made it clear that those who needed to approach him had to do so properly, especially in the sight of the people. His holiness is not to be trifled with. He is, after all, a consuming fire.

 

I have become absolutely fascinated by the seraphim, heavenly beings described in Isaiah as the ‘burning ones’. In Isaiah’s temple vision (Isaiah 6:13), they continually cry, "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty." And Daniel later describes a river of fire flowing from before the Ancient of Days.

 

Had Aaron’s sons become too familiar with the things of God, and erred for that reason? Graciously, God is approachable. There is a way to do so: on His terms not ours. Their lives literally teach us not to play with fire.

 

I was struck anew by Jesus’ words, “[I AM] the way and the truth and the life …” (John 14:6) Praise Jesus for opening that way to the Father.

 

How grateful are you and I for what Jesus did for us on the cross? How much time do we actually spend meditating on holiness – and on what it means to be set apart?

 

Prayer: Father God, please help us to obey you even in matters we may regard as trivial. Help us to approach you with reverence and awe. Amen.