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By John H. Roller
Today’s Scripture includes three mentions of fire (vv. 1–2 and 12–13). In verses 12–13, the offerings of the Lord were made by fire — animals were killed, and some of their meat was cooked and eaten by the priests, while the rest was burned to ashes. This was the primary method by which the ancient Israelites expressed their worship of God, as he had commanded. In verse 1, two of Aaron’s sons (perhaps under the influence of too much drinking) attempted to make an “offering” to God that was not commanded (this was called “strange” — that is, “unauthorized”). But to me, the strangest fire of all was the one that is mentioned in verse 2, which “went out from the Lord” and “devoured” them. Why were they punished so severely for merely trying to worship God the way that they wanted to rather than the way that God had commanded? Ah, that’s the point, isn’t it? It’s no good trying to offer God something that he hasn’t instructed us to give him. If we truly seek to worship him, we must give him what he commands us to — nothing less, nothing more and nothing else!
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service” (Romans 12:1).
Originally published July 27, 2013
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