Leviticus 10:1-3 And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the Lord, which he commanded them not. And there went out fire from the Lord, and devoured them, and they died before the Lord. Then Moses said unto Aaron, This is it that the Lord spake, saying, I will be sanctified in them that come nigh me, and before all the people I will be glorified. And Aaron held his peace.

So what did Nadab and Abihu do wrong? The censer and the incense are within the ceremonial duties of the priesthood. Why was this offering considered strange fire and unacceptable by the Lord?

I find that if you look to the instruments and ceremony of service or even the responsibility of the priesthood, you will miss the point. Looking at people and things takes your eye off the prize.

It is not a hidden message. With plain language the Lord told Aaron why He took his sons Nadab and Abihu, “I will be glorified.” With that explanation Aaron held his peace. Peace restored is key in seeing the answer to any question. In every step of service in chapter 9 it was said as the Lord commanded Moses or as Moses commanded. In verse 10:1 we find the words, “he commanded them not”. Not that he told them “not to do it” but rather that they were not given command to do it.

Ceremonial obedience is not obedience of faith. Ritual is not obedience. This is not an examination of the motivation of the heart. It is about one thing and one thing only.

“I will be glorified.” Saith the Lord.

No more, no less.

Malachi 3:14-15 Ye have said, It is vain to serve God: and what profit is it that we have kept his ordinance, and that we have walked mournfully before the Lord of hosts? And now we call the proud happy; yea, they that work wickedness are set up; yea, they that tempt God are even delivered.

We call them happy, but are they happy? We look to the success of those who would do anything to gain wealth, fame and legacy. They have chased happy their whole lives, but are they truly happy? It says right here in Malachi, we call them happy. But what is happiness?

I would venture a guess that if you took random poll and examined the results you would find high on the list pleasures. Are pleasures happiness? Even the text in Malachi where we call the proud happy, isn’t that a description of self-pleasure? They are very pleased with themselves, their accomplishments, reputation, status, wealth, perhaps even their legacy. But are not all those things temporary by nature? How can the fleeting bring happiness, knowing it will not last.

Malachi 3:16-17 Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another: and the Lord hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon his name. And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.

So what makes for happiness?

Psalm 146:5 Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God:

Proverbs 14:21 He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he.

Job 5:17 Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty:

John 13:16  If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.

So happiness is found in believing, obeying and trusting in the Lord. Precisely put, in a deep personal relationship with your creator.