Moses and Aaron
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which lie at the foundation of church discipline and the prosperity of
the nation. One undisciplined child has frequently marred the peace
and harmony of a church, and incited a nation to murmuring and re-
bellion. In a most solemn manner the Lord has enjoined upon children
their duty to affectionately respect and honor their parents. And on
the other hand He requires parents to train up their children and with
unceasing diligence to educate them with regard to the claims of His
law and to instruct them in the knowledge and fear of God. These
injunctions which God laid upon the Jews with so much solemnity, rest
with equal weight upon Christian parents. Those who neglect the light
and instruction which God has given in His word in regard to training
their children and commanding their households after them, will have
a fearful account to settle. Aaron’s criminal neglect to command the
respect and reverence of his sons resulted in their death.
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God distinguished Aaron by choosing him and his male posterity
for the priesthood. His sons ministered in the sacred office. Nadab
and Abihu failed to reverence the command of God to offer sacred fire
upon their censers with the incense before Him. God had forbidden
them, upon pain of death, to present the common fire before Him with
the incense.
But here is seen the result of loose discipline. As these sons of
Aaron had not been educated to respect and reverence the commands
of their father, as they disregarded parental authority, they did not
realize the necessity of explicitly following the requirements of God.
When indulging their appetite for wine and while under its exciting
stimulus, their reason was clouded, and they could not discern the
difference between the sacred and the common. Contrary to God’s
express direction, they dishonored Him by offering common instead
of sacred fire. God visited them with His wrath; fire went forth from
His presence and destroyed them.
Aaron bore his severe affliction with patience and humble sub-
mission. Sorrow and keen agony wrung his soul. He was convicted
of his neglect of duty. He was priest of the most high God, to make
atonement for the sins of the people. He was priest of his household,
yet he had been inclined to pass over the folly of his children. He had
neglected his duty to train and educate them to obedience, self-denial,
and reverence for parental authority. Through feelings of misplaced
indulgence, he failed to mold their characters with high reverence for