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The material in 10:1-20 records two violations of God’s instructions for the offerings. The first (vv.1-7), which appears more serious, results in the death of Nadab and Abihu. These two sons of Aaron offer unauthorized fire at the altar. As a consequence, fire roars out from God’s presence and kills them. Scholars are divided in their interpretation of the priests' action and of the significance of this incident. Moved by the excitement of God’s appearing, Nadab and Abihu were apparently attempting to incorporate some pagan ritual into the divinely sanctioned worship of God. Also, it appears that their motive was to promote themselves and their families over Aaron as high priest.
Here is an abiding lesson. God will indeed bless us with his power and presence if we seek him in faith according to the ways he instructs us. On the other hand, his judgment will certainly fall on those like Nadab and Abihu who attempt to manipulate and display God’s power and presence.
The second incident (vv.16-20) involves Aaron’s failure to eat the priests' portion of the sin offering. Moses becomes angry when he discovers that Aaron and his two remaining sons have not followed the regulations for the sacrifice. But Moses accepts Aaron’s explanation that eating the offering on the day that such tragic events have occurred would be displeasing to God. This incident shows that the priests had some freedom to adapt regulations for the sacrifices if the revisions were in keeping with God’s will.
These two incidents become the occasion for further instructions for priestly service (vv.8-15). Especially noteworthy is the prohibition against drinking alcohol while on duty in the Tent of Meeting. One whose senses are confused by drink might accidently transgress the sacred regulations. Drunkenness is condemned throughout the Bible.
Also, it should be noted that the priests are exhorted to distinguish between the holy and the profance and between the ritually clean and the ritually unclean. Moreover, they are to teach the people about these important matters. Priests were to render judgments on questions. Under the new covenant, God appoints pastors and teachers whose responsibility is that of teaching his people the things of Christ.