Ver. 1. And Nadab and Abihu.] These jolly young priests, overjoyed haply of their new employment and overwarmed with wine, as some gather out of Leviticus 10:9, over did themselves the very day of their service, (Leviticus 10:19) and are suddenly surprised by a doleful death. So was that inconsiderate priest of Naples, Anno Dom. 1457, of whom Wolphius reports, that when the hill Vesuvius had sent huge flames, and done great spoil, he, to make proof of his piety, read a mass, and would needs go up the hill to find out the cause of such a calamity. But for a reward of his foolhardiness, he perished in the flames, and was never heard of any more. Wolph., Memorab. Lect., cent. 15.
Ver. 2. And there went out fire.] By fire they sinned, and by fire they perished. “ Per quod quis peccat, per idem punitur et ipse: Nestorii lingua vermibus exesa est.’’—Evag., lib. i. So Archbishop Arundel’s tongue rotted in his head. The Archbishop of Tours in France made suit for the erection of a court called Chambre Ardent, wherein to condemn the Protestants to the fire. He was afterwards stricken with a disease called the fire of God, which began at his feet and so ascended upward, that he caused one member after another to be cut off, and so he died miserably. Act. and Mon., fol. 1911.
Ver. 3. This is it that the Lord spake.] Where? and when? Leviticus 8:35 Ex 19:22. Or perhaps nowhere written, but at some other time spoken by God. Moses might but set down the short notes of his discourses, as the prophets used to do. I will be sanctified.] Either actively or passively, Aut a nobis, aut in nos, either in us, or upon us; sure it is, that he will be no loser by us. Sanctified he will be, either in the sincerity of men’s conversation, or else in the severity of their condemnation. Singular things are expected of all that draw nigh to God in any duty, but especially in the office of the ministry. Those that stand in the presence of princes must be exact in their carriages. God appointed both the weights and measures of the sanctuary to be twice as large as those of the commonwealth; to show, that he expects much more of those that serve him there, than he doth of others. The souls of priests must be purer than the sunbeams, saith Chrysostom. And Aaron held his peace.] He bridled his passions, and submitted to the divine justice. The like did David, (Psalms 39:9) which words were taken up by Duplessis in the loss of his only son. Dr Hakw., on Psalm ci
Ver. 4. And Moses called Mishael, &c.] Aaron’s first cousins were called, to carry these two unhappy brethren out for burial: their brethren the priests might not leave their ministry to do it. Accordingly we read of one Pulvillus, a heathen, that he was about to consecrate a temple to Jupiter, and when news was brought him of the death of his son, he would not desist from his enterprise; but with much composure of mind gave order for decent burial.
Ver. 5. In their coats.] These were not burnt, as neither were their bodies: the fire, being of a celestial and subtile nature, might pierce their inward parts, not touching their outward; as lightning kills by piercing, not by burning. Tostat.
Ver. 6. And Moses said unto Aaron.] Philo reporteth that the high priest of the Jews, to keep always his soul pure, never saw any mournful object. Tiberius, counterfeiting grief at the funeral of Drusus, had a vail laid betwixt the dead and him, that he might not see the body, because he was, as the rest of the emperors also were, pontifex maximus, or the high priest; and therefore a sacred person. Mourning in Aaron might have seemed murmuring; he is therefore forbidden it, and accordingly he forbears. So did Luther when he buried his daughter; he was not seen to shed a tear. No more did Rev. William Whately, late pastor of Banbury, when, after he had preached his own child’s funeral upon this text, “The will of the Lord be done,” he and his wife laid the child in the grave with their own hands. Bewail the burning.] It is fit enough, ordinarily, that the body, when sown in corruption, be watered by the tears of those that plant it in the earth. Manlii, loc. com., p. 215.
Ver. 7. For the anointing oil of the Lord is upon you.] This is every true Christian’s case, who should therefore ca rry himself accordingly. There is a το πρεπον, a seemly carriage, belongs to every calling. “You have an unction,” &c. (1 John 2:20)
Ver. 9. Do not drink wine, nor strong drink.] As some are of opinion Nadab and Abihu had done; which miscarriage of theirs occasioned this precept. The perpetual equity whereof is, that ministers be no wine bibbers or tipplers or drunken sots. (1 Timothy 3:3) Why should it be said as of old, “They have erred because of wine, and have gone out of the way because of strong drink, even the priest and the prophet?” (Isaiah 28:7) Drunkenness is a crime in all, but it is a kind of sacrilege in ministers. And if other drunkards deserve double punishments for their misdemeanours, as Aristotle judgeth, first for their drunkenness, and then for the sin committed in and by their drunkenness what do drunken priests? (Isaiah 56:12) Ex malis moribus bonae leges. διπλα τα επιτιμια.— Arist., Ethic., lib. iii. cap. 5.
Ver. 10. And that ye may put difference.] Drunkenness takes away the heart, (Hosea 4:11) besots and infatuates; robs a man of himself, and lays a beast in his place.
Ver. 11. And that ye may teach.] The priest’s lips should both preserve knowledge and present it to the people; even all the counsel of God. (Malachi 2:7 Acts 20:27) “To give the knowledge of salvation by the remission of sins.” (Luke 1:77)
Ver. 12. Take the meat offerlng,] q.d., Think not that God hath cashiered you because he hath corrected you; neither refuse your meat out of a sullen sourness; but fall to your meat offering, and take better heed another time. Only “eat before the Lord.” (Deuteronomy 12:18)
Ver. 13. See Leviticus 6:26.
Ver. 14. And the wave breast, and heave shoulder.] These were the priests’ due: teaching them to set breast and shoulder to God’s work: and minding them, that a minister should be both a breast to love, and a shoulder to support the people in their troubles and burdens.
Ver. 15. The heave shoulder.] See on Exodus 29:24.
Ver. 16. And, behold, it was burnt.] Passion for their dead friends had so transported the priests, that they knew not well what they did. We use to say, Res est ingeniosa dolor: but then it must not be excessive as here, and as 2 Samuel 18:33.
Ver. 17. To bear the iniquity.] This the sinner doth subjectively, the priest typically, the Lord Christ really.
Ver. 18. Ye should indeed have eaten it.] Thus, by misreckoning a point, ye have missed the haven, and hazarded yourselves to the rocks of the divine displeasure, against which your brethren so lately split. God is usually most angry when he is about a reformation; as here against Nadab and Abihu: so afterwards against Uzzah, Ananias and Sapphira, &c.
Ver. 19. Should it have been accepted.] God loves a cheerful server. (Deuteronomy 12:7 26:14) Mourners’ bread is polluted bread, (Hosea 9:4) and those unkind husbands are blamed for causing their wives, when they should have been cheerful in God’s service, to cover the Lord’s altar with tears, with weeping and with crying out, so that he regarded not the offering any more. (Malachi 2:13) This Aaron knew, and allegeth for himself.
Ver. 20. He was content.] For that time at least. It is not good sowing in a high wind. To choose a fit time to admonish an offender, is a singular skill, and a very great advantage. The mildest medicine is troublesome to an eye that is inflamed.