Leviticus 9   " On the eighth day..."  After Aaron and his sons were dedicated during the 7 days ordered by Adonai, there was a final ceremony.   They had learned about all of the various offerings, the tent of meeting was ready to go, and now the priests were consecrated and ready.  This ceremony seems like a complete run through of everything.. not a dress rehearsal, so to speak... but a opening act... the beginning of a new life, a new nation,  a new religion... and most important - the appearance of Adonai.

Aaron and his sons offered, according to God's command:
A sin offering for Aaron.. for his atonement.
A sin offering for the people.. for their atonement.
Both of these burnt offerings.
Then a grain offering and then a peace offering - some burned and some waved.
Everything was done according to God's directions.

Aaron raised his hands and blessed the people and then he and Moses entered the tent of meeting.
When they came out, they blessed them again.. and then..

"Then the glory of Adonai appeared to all the people! Fire came forth from the presence of Adonai, consuming the burnt offering and the fat on the altar. When all the people saw it, they shouted and fell on their faces." 

( Chapter 10)
"But..."  Perhaps caught up in the glorious and powerful events, two of Aaron's sons, Nadav and Avihu  "offered unauthorized fire before Adonai, something he had not ordered them to do." 

The immediate result was... " fire came forth from the presence of Adonai and consumed them, so that they died in the presence of Adonai."  

"This is what Adonai said: 'Through those who are near me I will be consecrated, and before all the people I will be glorified.'"  

The actions of Nadav and Avihu were perhaps presumptive or perhaps done in their drunkenness, because  - Verse 8 " Adonai said to Aaron, 'Don't drink any wine or other intoxicating liquor, neither you nor your sons with you, when you enter the tent of meeting, so that you will not die. This is to be a permanent regulation through all your generations, so that you will distinguish between the holy and the common, and between the unclean and the clean; and so that you will teach the people of Israel all the laws Adonai has told them through Moses.'" 

Our God is a consuming fire!  The writer of the book of Hebrews reminds us that this is a truth that we must not forget.  We come to a greater place than the tent of meeting, through a greater sacrifice than the sacrifices of bulls and sheep, with a greater high priest than Aaron or his descendants.. we come to "an unshakable kingdom" -  He writes - "Therefore, since we have received an unshakeable Kingdom, let us have grace, through which we may offer service that will please God, with reverence and fear. For indeed, 'Our God is a consuming fire!'" ( Hebrews 12:28-29)

Father in heaven, holy, holy, holy,  are You, our God.  As we draw near to You through Jesus Christ our great high priest, our Savior and our King, we do not want to come in any way that is less than pleasing to You.  May we come in faith, without which we cannot please You.  May we come in humility and in complete submission, for You will lift up the humble. May we come in reverence and fear, obedient to every truth of Your Word.  May we come in the only way we really can - through Jesus Christ, our righteousness.. for although this is impossible with men, nothing is impossible with You. Lead us in Your ways.. in grace and service today we pray, in Jesus' name. Amen.