Aaron’s sons Nadab and Abihu offered unauthorized fire before the Lord. Fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed them. (LEV 10:1-3)

Leviticus 10:1-3 Aaron’s sons Nadab and Abihu took their censers, put fire in them and added incense; and they offered unauthorized fire before the Lord, contrary to his command. 2 So fire came out from the presence of the Lord and consumed them, and they died before the Lord. 3 Moses then said to Aaron, “This is what the Lord spoke of when he said:

“‘Among those who approach me I will be proved holy; in the sight of all the people I will be honored.’”

Aaron remained silent.

The first time I read this, I was stunned by it. How could a loving, caring God kill two of his priests because they did an incorrect ritual?!

But then I realized I'm giving God, creator of the universe, human qualities. God is like Nature, or Physics. You die if you do the wrong thing with those laws. No leeway.

God's Law is absolute. Fortunately for us today, Jesus became our ultimate sacrifice to absolve us of our sins so we do not receive the punishment we deserve.