The exactitude of the Old Law is jarring for a lot of us in the “modern world” who are used to a more relaxed type of lifestyle. We operate in a postmodern society—that is, we respond to specifics with conditions, laws with skepticism, and routine with innovation. Why the fuss over being so precise?
To be fair, being “relaxed” is not always a bad way to live. There are times when we absolutely need to question what we’re told in order to get to the Truth. More often than not though, if we’re being honest with ourselves, those suspicions can get us in trouble.
When it comes to Tabernacle worship however, skepticism and individuality were not desirable traits. Everything was to be done according in a prescribed manner and in the way that God demanded.
Why? Because to do so gave God honor.
In Exodus 30:9, God tells the Israelites that they are not to offer “strange incense” on the altar in the Tabernacle. In this instance, “strange” incense is any kind of incense that is not created according to the method and ingredients listed in Exodus 30:34-38.
There are tons of reasons why someone might not follow the pattern: laziness, convenience, availability of ingredients. The one thing that all of those have in common though is they deprioritize God.
Think about it. If I’m so busy with other things that I forget to get the proper ingredients for God’s Worship, what does that say about my life? Is God a priority or not? To assume that God will be okay with whatever I decide to give Him is the embodiment of Cain’s sacrifice in Genesis 4, and exactly what God “hates” in Malachi 1:6-14.
Instead, as God told Nadab and Abihu in Leviticus 10:3 (which dealt with another “strange” offering): “By those who come near Me I will be treated as holy.” That’s not a referendum on Nadab and Abihu’s sincerity—it’s a statement about their preparation for worship. If we’re going to approach God in worship, it has to be His way. Everything else is “strange.”
It’s sobering to think how often God outright rejects worship in Scripture. People that come to Him and offer to serve are rejected (Luke 9:57-62). Those who claim to have lived their lives in service to God are cast out as strangers (Matthew 7:21-23).
Worship is meant to honor God, but if we’re worshipping in ways that are convenient or beneficial to us, that doesn’t honor Him. Instead, it makes worship easier for me. The incense or fire that is “strange” is just the final result of a heart that already cares more about self than it does about God.
