When the Law of Moses was being dictated God gave directions concerning the burning of incense and of burnt offerings. In Exodus 30, God gave the dimensions, the type of wood and the coverings of the altar, (1-6). In verse 9 God warned, “You shall not offer strange incense on it, or a burnt offering, or a grain offering; nor shall you pour a drink offering on it.” The instructions for this observance were clear and left no doubt in the mind of Aaron or his sons on how to carry out the will of God. It is a sad note that two of Aaron’s sons doubted the seriousness of following God’s law. In Numbers 3, Nadab, Aarons’ oldest son and Abihu, died when they offered strange fire before the Lord, (v. 4).  The word strange or profane in this context is the same as the word used in Exodus 30:9. The word literally means “to turn aside.” These anointed priests and ministers of God (Numbers 3:3) actually turned aside the commands of God for their own type of fire. Because of that sin, Aaron lost two sons, Israel lost two priests and Nadab and Abihu lost their lives. Transgression of God’s will always cause great losses to God’s people. We are not told what fire they offered but it is enough to know it displeased God. It was important to offer burnt offerings to God, but it was just as important to offer them in accordance with His commands.

                God has always been specific and clear as to what He desires in worship. He did not leave to man’s imagination to devise a form of worship. Anything that goes beyond what God has authorized would be considered “strange”. In the New Testament we read of the articles of worship that the first century church observed. We know that they came together on the first day of the week to break bread, Acts 20:7. Specific warnings and instructions are given to the church at Corinth concerning the Lord’s Supper, (1 Corinthians 11:17-34). Pay close attention to verse 29 where Paul said, “For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.” Should we partake of the Lord’s Supper on any other day or in any other manner than the way God specified would be “strange” to Him. We are also commanded to “sing and make melody in your hearts to the Lord” Ephesians 5:19 and also see Colossians 3:16. If we add any mechanical instruments or sing secular songs, God would see this as “strange,” meaning “that which God did not authorize” (Exodus 30:9). We are commanded to pray. See 1 Timothy 2:8 and James 5:16. Our prayers like our singing are to be spiritual and they are to be understood, 1 Corinthians 14:15. Not praying as we have been directed would be “strange” before God.  We have the example of preachers preaching on the first day of the week, Acts 20:7. In his preaching at Miletus, Paul reminded the Ephesians that he had “kept back nothing that was helpful to you but proclaimed it to you publicly and from house to house” Acts 20:20. James reminds us preachers and teachers that if we offer any “strange” teachings beyond what is written we will receive a heavier judgment, James 3:1. In 1 Corinthians 16, Paul commanded the church to give on the first day of the week. The heart of the giver must be guarded and his attitude must be cheerful, 2 Corinthians 9:7. For a worshipper to give with any other motive than willingly and cheerfully would be a “strange” action before God.

                We must learn the lesson of Nadab and Abihu and not go beyond the specifications of God in our worship. God has revealed to us his desire concerning our worship and the addition of such things as drama skits or praise dancing or allowing women to take a leading role in worship (1 Corinthians 14:34-35) would be as offering strange fire on the altar of God. To turn the worship of God into a theater of entertainment might bring pleasure to our sensual person but it would be considered strange by God. We must not turn aside from God’s revealed plan for worship to substitute our own inventions of entertainment and call it meaningful worship just because we are sincere in our worship. Paul wrote in Ephesians 3:20, “to Him be glory in the church.” The church that glorifies God will worship Him in spirit and in truth as He has authorized (John 4:23-24). She will be careful not to offer anything to God beyond what He has revealed.