Because the Lord live in a demission that is beyond time and space. In turn this explain why; the Lord appeared to the Israelites on the eighth day. It should be pointed out, this foreshadow Messiah’s future coming. Because Yeshua will appear on the eighth day, to usher in "a new beginning" in the future. Though the eighth day; was the day in which Moses erected the tabernacle.

         In light of this; the Lord instructed Moses to tell Aaron; "take for yourself a young bull as a sin offering and a ram as a burnt offering, without blemish, and offer them before the LORD."  {Lev 9:2 } Why did the Lord command a bull and a ram; to be sacrifice?

      Remember it was Aaron; who had bowed to the people’s wishes; by molding the golden calf. {Ex 32:4} In light of Aaron’s grievous sin; before Aaron could serve as the high priest. The Lord commanded Aaron, to sacrifice a young bull; which alluded to his sin; as a sin offering. Thus; explaining why; the Lord commanded Aaron to sacrifice a young bull. Though why did the Lord command Aaron, to offer up a ram for a bunt offering for the people?

       Remember when Joseph’s brothers; {their forefathers} cast Joseph in a pit; then sold Joseph for thirty shekel; which was the going price for a slave in Egypt of that day. {Ex 37:28} In turn in order to perceive their father Jacob; Joseph’s brothers killed a goat; then dipped Joseph’s coat of many colors; in it’s blood. In order to perceive Jacob into thinking; a wild beast had devoured Joseph.

        They took Joseph's tunic, killed a kid of the goats, and dipped the tunic in the blood. Then they sent the tunic of many colors, and they brought it to their father and said, "we have found this. Do you know whether it is your son's tunic or not?"And he recognized it and said, "it is my son's tunic. A wild beast has devoured him. Without doubt Joseph is torn to pieces." {Gen 37:31-33 } What’s the point I am trying to make; you ask?

      As we all know; one of the Ten Commandment expressly states, we are not to bow or worship idols. Though the following phase that is attached to this commandment; often goes overlook that phase being; "visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments." {Ex 20:5b - 6}

        I mention this fact; because the sins of their forefathers {Joseph’s brothers} for having betrayed Joseph; were laid on the people; because a sin sacrifice hadn’t been offered up for this particular sin. In turn the Lord commanded a ram be offer for the people, because the ram symbolized; the goat that was slain; in order to perceive Jacob into thinking; a wild beast had devoured Joseph.

       Having said all of that you maybe saying; "Wiley; this is a fascinating story. However I fail to discern the spiritual meaning of the story?"

       First of all in the case of Aaron; this event happen a number of weeks; after Aaron had molded the golden calf. Yet the Lord hadn’t forgotten, Aaron’s sin. Then in the case of the people; they were a number of generations remove; from their forefather’s grievous sin of betraying Joseph. Yet {Ex 20:5b - 6} conforms the fact, the iniquity of their forefathers’ sins; were still laid on them.

        In turn Aaron was instructed to offer up a bull; as a sin offering, to atone for his personal sins. Then once Aaron’s sin; was atoned for. Aaron then in the role of the High Priest; was to offer up a goat as a bunt offering, to atone for the people’s sins.

          He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed. Isa 53:5

       So like Yeshua then; the bull and the goat; were wounded for Aaron and the people’s iniquity; because like the goat and the bull, the chastisement of our sins; were cast on Him.

        The Lord continue on by commanding Moses to say to the people; "take a kid of the goats as a sin offering, and a calf and a lamb, both of the first year, without blemish, as a burnt offering, also a bull and a ram as peace offerings, to sacrifice before the LORD, and a grain offering mixed with oil; for today the LORD will appear to you." Lev 9:3-4

        Upon reading this passage; I tried to reason why, the Lord instructed a "sh’lamim" or a peace offering be offered up; on the heels of the "chatat;" or a sin offering? Then it dawned on me!

        "Sins separates us from a holy G-d," for example. When Aaron molded the golden calf, his sin; caused him to be estrange from G-d.

       With that said; it should be pointed out; when Aaron offered a goat as a sin offering. The sin offering; "did not forgive" Aaron of his’ sin. Although the blood of sin offering; did atone or cover Aaron’s sin. In turn Aaron was no longer estrange to G-d.

           Thus, no longer being estrange with G-d; for his sin. Aaron was entitle to offer up a peace offering; in celebration of his’ peace with G-d.

       Moving on, once they brought the things that Moses had commanded them to do; to the door of the tabernacle. Moses said,} According to the sages; prior to the eighth day; Moses erected the tabernacle each day. Yet the present of G- d; did not come to dwell in it. Thus; feeling discourage the people questioned Moses; will the Almighty ever forgive them of their sins; pertaining to the golden calf? Moses answered; "Aaron is more worthier than I; through his offerings; in turn the Devine’s present will rest upon you; then you will know the Almighty has chosen you." I pointed this fact out because Moses knew then; the only way the Lord’s presents, would come and dwell in the midst of the people; was through the shading of innocent blood. "this is the thing which the LORD commanded you to do, and the glory of the LORD will appear to you." {Lev 9:5 - 6

         Remember the sin offering; "did not forgive" Aaron nor the people of their sin. Though the blood of sin offering; did atone or covered their sin, for example.

          Moses said to Aaron, "go to the altar, offer your sin offering and your burnt offering, and make "atonement" for yourself and for the people. Offer the offering of the people, and make atonement for them, as the LORD commanded." {Lev 9:7 }

        So Moses’ statement conformed the fact that the sin offering; atoned or covered Aaron and the people’s sins. Why is this significant?

           I find it interesting that Moses wrote, "provide atonement, O LORD, for Your people. {Deut 21:8 } That atonement, was non other than "the Lamb of G-d." Because it is through the shading of Yeshua’s blood that our sins are forgiving and atoned for. Hence when the Almighty view us, no longer does He see our sins. Why?

           The reason being, when we accepted Yeshua as our Lord and Savor. You could say, the Lord from that moment on, view us through tented glasses. The tented glasses being, the precious blood of Yeshua’s. In turn no longer does the Lord witnessing our sins, upon viewing us. Because Yeshua’s shad blood, atoned or covered up our sins.

         Moses and Aaron went into the tabernacle of meeting, and came out and blessed the people. Then the glory of the LORD appeared to all the people, and fire came out from before the LORD and consumed the burnt offering and the fat on the altar. When all the people saw it, they shouted and fell on their faces. Lev 9:23-24

       Once Aaron in the role of the high priest; had preformed the entire service; just as the Lord had commanded of him. He then appeared outside of the tabernacle and proceeded to pronounce a blessing on the people. I chose to pick up the text here, in order to point out to you the words that Aaron uttered.

          Aaron in blessing the people said, "may the LORD bless you and keep you. May the LORD make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you. May the LORD lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace." Num 6:22- 26

         When Aaron came down from the alter; then Moses and Aaron went in the tabernacle together. The sages offer two reasons why, Moses entered the tabernacle with Aaron.

          The first being, Moses entered the tabernacle; in order to instruct Aaron of the procedures of burning the incense. Another explanation offered, after Aaron had offered up all of the sacrifices in the correct way; the Lord had commanded. The Lord’s presents still not had descended on the tabernacle. In turn Aaron became disturbed.

        According the sages; Aaron then turned to Moses and said, " I know that the Holy One is angry with me; because He hadn’t descended." Thus Moses entered in the tabernacle with Aaron; and prayed, the Lord would have mercy on Aaron.

        That said; whenever I read the sages teachings; I do so with a grain of salt. So, why then did I mention the sages’ teachings here?

         Well David wrote, "examine me, O LORD, and prove me; Try my mind and my heart." {Ps 26:2} And if you are a child of the King’s. I can easily attest, you will be tried daily! Though the Lord in doing so, is always merciful.

        Again I don’t know, if the sages’ teaching, concerning this event, is trueful or not. But we do know that fire came out from before the LORD and consumed the burnt offering and the fat on the altar. When all the people saw it, they shouted and fell on their faces. {Lev 9:24 } Thus, I’m remindful that "the prayers of a righteous man avail munch." James 5:16

         From this moment on the children of Israel "drew near to G-d," through the shading of innocent blood. Which as we know; foreshadow the blood Yeshua that shad on the Cross.

          Moving on, the following verse reads; Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, each took his censer and put fire in it, put incense on it, and offered strange fire before the LORD, which He had not commanded them. Lev 10:1

        The death of Aaron’s two sons; has been hotly debated down through the centuries. However there is a Jewish teaching that states Nadab and Abihu, died for four reasons.

      Those four reasons being; for offering a strange fire to the Lord. {Num 26:61 } For not having token counsel, before doing so. For entering in the Holy of Holies; where G-d’s presents dwelt. Finely for offering a sacrifice that were not commanded of them.

        On this note a censer was a fire pan, in which hot coals was carried in. That said; anytime the alter of incense was lit; the Lord commanded that it be lit; from the coals on the alter.

        In light of this; the Hebrew word for strange "zuwr," means "profane." So it appears that Nadab and Abihu foolishly lit the alter of incense; with a fire that G-d deemed; as being profane.

          That said; remember when Moses witnessed G-d; in the burning bush. The Lord warned Moses not to draw near to Him and take his shoes off? {Ex 3:1 - 6} Well the Lord in doing so, was making known to Moses, that He is a holy G-d; and is totally separate from sin.

             Moses said to Aaron, "This is what the LORD spoke, saying: 'By those who come near Me I must be regarded as holy; And before all the people I must be glorified.'" So Aaron held his peace. Lev 10:3

         Expounding on this thought; note the Lord said; anyone; "who draw near Me; I will regard as holy." With that said; when the Lord gave the Ten Commandments; {torah} from Mount Sinai. {Ex 19:19 - 25} He informed Moses to warn the people; not to draw near Him. Why? The Lord’s holiness is so intense; before anyone can draw near Him; their sins must be atone for or covered; for example.

           In the Yom Kipper ceremony outline in {Lev 16 ;} the High Priest could only go into the Holy of Holies; "after he first offered up a bull as a sin offering, to cover up his sins. {Lev 16:11 } Then before entering into the Holy of Holies, He made a cloud with incense first;" least he came within direct contact with the Holy One’s presents. Lev 16:12

          So just as the cloud prevented Moses; from having direct contact with G-d on Mount Sinai. The cloud of incense that filled the Holy of Holies; served as "kaphar" or covering; preventing the High Priest from having direct contact, with the Holy One too. Where am I going with this?

      Remember before the High Priest entered into the Holy of Holies. He lit the alter of incense; with coals off coals of the alter. Then once the cloud of incense, had filled the Holy of Holies; preventing direct contact with the Holy One. The High Priest entered into the Holy of Holies; in order to sprinkle blood on the mercy seat; in order to atone for the people’s sins. {Lev 16:12 - 14 } Why is this significant?

             Then Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, each took his censer and put fire in it, put incense on it, and offered profane fire before the LORD, which He had not commanded them.  Lev 10:1

        The torah is litter with the following two phases; "the Lord commanded Moses saying; and the Lord command the people saying." Thus when I read where Nadab and Abihu offered a profane fire; before the Lord; in which the Lord "had not commanded of them." The phase; "not commanded them"in the prior verse; stuck out like a sore thumb. Why?

        Well Nadab and Abihu offered a profane fire; in lighting the alter of incense; in a way that wasn’t commanded of them. Meaning they lit the alter of incense; with coals; other than coals from the alter. Thus upon entering in the Holy of Holies; fire went out from the LORD and devoured them, and they died before the LORD. { Lev 10:2 } So; where did the fire that killed Nadab and Abihu come from?

        Remember the only fixture that was in the Holy of Holies; was the ark of the covenant. This is significant; because the Lord’s presents; hovered over the mercy seat; between the Cherubims; which was located, on top of the ark of the covenant itself. Ex 25:22

        That said; by lighting the alter of incense; with a profane fire; in a way in which the Lord hadn’t commanded of them. Upon enter into the Holy of Holies; the incense didn’t cover Nadab and Abihu; from direct contact with the Holy One as it did with the High Priest. Thus, it angered G-d.

         Hence in anger; fire came from the mercy seat; where the Lord’s present resided; and killed them. Thus I’m remindful that G-d is a consuming G-d {Heb12:29} and anyone; who tries to "draw near" to Him; on their own merits will be consume.

        According to Solomon; "before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honor is humility." {Prov 18:12 } So; prior to destruction; the heart of a man is prideful. I mention this fact; because the sages teach that pride led to Nadab and Abihu’s destructions; for example. According to the sages Nadab and Abihu thought; they had master the torah and had a full knowledge, of what they were doing. Thus Nadab and Abihu didn’t seek counsel from Moses or their father Aaron. Nor did they stop to think; what they were about to do. Before they entered into the tabernacle and the Holy of Holies.

       Note in recounting this tragic event; I haven’t used the word consumed; in depicting Nadab and Abihu death. Why?

        Moses called Mishael and Elzaphan, the sons of Uzziel the uncle of Aaron, and said to them, "come near, carry your brethren from before the sanctuary out of the camp." So they went near and carried them by their tunics out of the camp, as Moses had said. Lev 10:4 - 5

       Well in carrying the bodies of Nadab and Abihu; out of the tabernacles; from the camp. The Levite priests did so by carrying Nadab and Abihu; out by their clothing. I pointed this fact out; because if the fire had consumed Nadab and Abihu; it would have bunt up their clothing.

        In light of this according to the sages; a blue fire came out from the mercy seat, where the Lord’s present resided; then went up the noses of Nadab and Abihu and consumed them; without burning their clothing.

       Yes; I know this teaching; sounds for fetch to say the least. In pondering on this I think, Nadab and Abihu’s souls were consumed by fire. Why? I’m remindful "anyone; who names isn’t written in the book of life; will be cast into the lake of fire;" where their souls will burn for eternity. Rev 20:15

        In closing there is munch more that could say; in regards to the tragic death of Nadab and Abihu. Though remember at this point, the Almighty had establish the only way to draw to near to Him, was through the shading of innocent blood. Which we all know, foreshadows the precious blood of Yeshua.

        Yet foolishly Nadab and Abihu chose to draw to near to a holy G-d; in a way that was not commanded of them. Hence I’m remindful Yeshua said, "I am the way , the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." {John 14:6 } Implying no one can draw near the Father; except through the blood of the Lamb of G-d.

A closing thought: I received an E mail last week from a person asking; to be token off of the mailing list. In doing so this person stated; they was in search of "the invisible Great One."

       Well Yeshua said, "if you believed Moses, you would believe Me; for he wrote about Me. {John 5:46 } I alluded to Yeshua’s statement, because "the invisible Great One," is non other than Yeshua Himself and Moses wrote of Him.

        That said, remember this person stated, he was in search of "the invisible Great One." Yet this person sounded like, he had a problem of me; teaching out of the torah. Which using his words, alludes to the "the invisible Great One." Go figure!!!

             May the LORD bless you and keep you. May the LORD make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you. May the LORD lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace."

Num 6:22- 26