Dullness of Heart
A tragic but revealing incident is recorded in Leviticus 10. Nadab and Abihu were sons of Aaron with priestly duties to perform in the tabernacle, Israel’s centre of worship. One of these was to carry fire and incense into the holy place, and burn incense on the little golden altar there. But the Bible says they used “profane fire” to ignite the incense. “Profane”–the Hebrew word refers to that which is alien, and does not belong there.
We are not told, in the context, what the problem was. But we do know that the fire on the altar of sacrifice (the bronze altar in the outer courtyard) was ignited by God Himself (Lev. 15:24). And it was coals from this altar that were later carried into the tabernacle to ignite the incense (Lev. 16:12). But it would seem that the two men carelessly brought fire from some other source into the tabernacle.
The symbolism is significant. The rising smoke of the incense typified the prayers and praises of God’s people ascending to God. But their worship was not acceptable unless it was founded upon the shed blood of the sacrifice. Further, it was to be a worship empowered by the Spirit of God, not by the energy of the flesh.
God judged Nadab and Abihu for their folly, and they died (vs. 2). Then, immediately after, the Lord warned that those involved in ministry in the tabernacle should not imbibe intoxicating drinks (vs. 8-11). The reason? “That you may distinguish between holy and unholy, and between unclean and clean” (vs. 10). The implication is strong that the lack of discretion shown by Nadab and Abihu was due to drunkenness. Alcohol clouds the judgment and weakens the individual’s powers of discernment. While those who are intoxicated may believe their abilities are enhanced thereby, the truth is they are less able than before to act in a way that pleases God.
Anything which dulls our insight and discernment at critical moments is dangerous, anything that clouds our judgment regarding the line of separation between the things of God and those of the world, the flesh and the devil. A number of things could be listed that present this danger, things the Christian should avoid or be extremely cautious of.
- Drugs or alcohol (Lev. 10:9-10; Eph. 5:18)
- Lack of needful rest (Ps. 127:2; Mk. 6:31)
- Untimely leisure (II Sam. 11:1-4)
- Wrong companions (Ps. 1:1; I Cor. 15:33; cf. Jude 1:20-23)
- Wrong values and pursuits (Matt. 13:22; I Jn. 2:15-17)
- Neglect of communion with God (Ps. 53:4; Dan. 9:13)
- A failure to apply the truths we know (Heb. 5:11-14)