Nadab & Abihu
Category: Failure of reverence & priestly obedience
Could endure: Offer sacrifices exactly as God commanded.
“Among those who approach me I will be proved holy; in the sight of all the people I will be honored.” (Leviticus 10:3)
Cross-Refs: Exodus 28:1; Hebrews 12:28.
Chose wrongly: Offered unauthorized fire before the LORD.
“So fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed them, and they died before the LORD.” (Leviticus 10:2)
Cross-Refs: Numbers 3:4; 26:61.
Endured (negatively): Immediate death by divine fire.
“So fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed them.” (Leviticus 10:2)
Cross-Refs: 1 Samuel 2:34; Acts 5:1–11.
Why (wrong motive): Presumption, irreverence in worship.
“…they offered unauthorized fire before the LORD, contrary to his command.” (Leviticus 10:1)
Cross-Refs: Deuteronomy 4:2; Ecclesiastes 5:1.
Result: Judgment served as a lasting warning for all priests.
“Aaron remained silent.” (Leviticus 10:3)
Cross-Refs: Ezekiel 44:23; 1 Corinthians 10:11.
Blasphemer in the Camp
Category: Failure of reverence & speech
Could endure: Respect God’s name and live among the covenant people.
“Do not profane my holy name, for I must be acknowledged as holy by the Israelites.” (Leviticus 22:32)
Cross-Refs: Exodus 20:7; Deuteronomy 5:11.
Chose wrongly: Cursed and blasphemed God’s Name.
“The son of an Israelite mother and an Egyptian father… blasphemed the Name with a curse.” (Leviticus 24:10–11)
Cross-Refs: Exodus 22:28; Matthew 12:31.
Endured (negatively): Stoning by the assembly.
“Take the blasphemer outside the camp. All those who heard him are to lay their hands on his head, and the entire assembly is to stone him.” (Leviticus 24:14)
Cross-Refs: Numbers 15:30–36; Acts 7:58.
Why (wrong motive): Disregard for God’s holiness.
“…anyone who blasphemes the name of the LORD is to be put to death.” (Leviticus 24:16)
Cross-Refs: Psalm 74:18; James 3:9–10.
Result: Removed from the covenant community, public warning.
“Then Moses spoke to the Israelites, and they took the blasphemer outside the camp and stoned him.” (Leviticus 24:23)
Cross-Refs: Deuteronomy 13:10–11; Hebrews 10:28.
Israel’s Potential Apostasy (Warning)
Category: Failure of covenant faithfulness
Could endure: Walk in obedience and receive blessings.
“If you follow my decrees and are careful to obey my commands, I will send you rain in its season.” (Leviticus 26:3–4)
Cross-Refs: Deuteronomy 28:1–2; Psalm 1:1–3.
Chose wrongly (when they would later fall): Reject statutes, break covenant.
“But if you will not listen to me and carry out all these commands… I will set my face against you.” (Leviticus 26:14–17)
Cross-Refs: Judges 2:11–15; Jeremiah 11:10.
Endured (negatively): Curses, famine, exile.
“I will scatter you among the nations and will draw out my sword and pursue you.” (Leviticus 26:33)
Cross-Refs: 2 Kings 17:6–7; Daniel 9:11–12.
Why (wrong motive): Rebellion, despising God’s commands.
“But if in spite of this you still do not listen to me but continue to be hostile toward me…” (Leviticus 26:27)
Cross-Refs: 2 Chronicles 36:15–16; Romans 1:28.
Result: Exile but with hope of restoration if they repent.
“But if they will confess their sins… then I will remember my covenant.” (Leviticus 26:40–42)
Cross-Refs: Nehemiah 1:8–9; 1 John 1:9.