Blog
“Let’s Ask Nadab and Abihu”
Categories: Authority, Disobedience, Faithfulness, God's word, Instruments, Leviticus, Mechanical Instruments, Sing, Singing
“Now Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, each took his censer and put fire in it and laid incense on it and offered unauthorized fire before the Lord, which he had not commanded them.” (Leviticus 10.1, ESV)¹
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¹Notice in our text that they “offered unauthorized fire before the Lord, which he had not commanded them”. Here is an example of two individuals who did not glorify God by obeying His word. Though they were worshipping God, they were not worshipping according to His commandments, or in this case, they were offering something He had not even commanded!
Many religious people worship God however they want to. For example, God has commanded His children to sing while assembled to worship Him (Col. 3.16; Eph. 5.19, etc.). However, the majority of people play mechanical instruments coupled with singing. One may argue, “There’s nothing wrong with using instruments in worship - the Bible does not say we cannot do it!”
First, this argument admits that the Bible is silent concerning mechanical instruments in worship, and second, this argument is given by those who want to serve God however they please and not by whatever pleases Him. To say we can use instruments when God never commanded them (that is, acting without His authority) and then to argue that God “did not say not to” is to be guilty of the same thing Nadab and Abihu were - adding to the word of God (Rev. 22.18-19).
Notice the consequence of their addition to God’s silence: “Now Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, each took his censer and put fire in it and laid incense on it and offered unauthorized fire before the Lord, which he had not commanded them. And fire came out from before the Lord and consumed them, and they died before the Lord. Then Moses said to Aaron, ‘This is what the Lord has said: “Among those who are near me I will be sanctified, and before all the people I will be glorified.”’ And Aaron held his peace.” (Lev. 10.1-3, ESV)
If God has been silent on something, that does not necessarily mean we have the authority to do whatever we please. We cannot be saved if we act without authority from God. Just ask Nadab and Abihu!
We at the Franklin Drive Church of Christ strive to obey the authority of Jesus. We have music in our assembly - A cappella music - because our Lord has commanded us to sing. We can know that when we sing we are pleasing to Him. If you’re interested in learning more about God’s will and authority and what the Bible teaches concerning singing and mechanical instruments, e-mail Bryan Garlock or text 903.308.4905.
