Aaron’s four sons were the anointed priests, but he lost two of them.  “But Nadab and Abihu died before the LORD when they offered unauthorized fire before the LORD in the wilderness of Sinai, and they had no children. So Eleazar and Ithamar served as priests in the lifetime of Aaron their father.” (Numbers 3:4)  The event is also mentioned in Leviticus 10:1-2.  In neither place are we told what this “unauthorized fire” was exactly.  Some translations call it “strange fire”.  Whatever it was did not agree with God’s commands.  He had given very specific instructions for the duties of these priests and the way He wanted to be worshiped.  These two men obviously did not follow God’s specific commands.  Their deaths are not the typical punishment from God, but we are promised that He will discipline us in the way that we need it.  “And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? ‘My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.’ It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline?” (Hebrews 12:5-7)  In all that he went thru, Job still reminded us to be happy when God disciplines us.  “Behold, blessed is the one whom God reproves; therefore despise not the discipline of the Almighty.” (Job 5:17)

Today’s reading: Numbers 1-3