"“Moses said unto Aaron, and unto Eleazar and unto Ithamar, his sons, Uncover not your heads, neither rend your clothes; lest ye die, ... for the anointing oil of the Lord is upon you.” The great leader reminded his brother of the words of God, “I will be sanctified in them that come nigh Me, and before all the people I will be glorified.” Aaron was silent. The death of his sons, cut down without warning, in so terrible a sin—a sin which he now saw to be the result of his own neglect of duty—wrung the father's heart with anguish, but he gave his feelings no expression. By no manifestation of grief must he seem to sympathize with sin. The congregation must not be led to murmur against God. PP 361.1"
"And Moses said unto Aaron, and unto Eleazar and unto Ithamar, his sons, Uncover not your heads, neither rend your clothes; lest ye die, and lest wrath come upon all the people: but let your brethren, the whole house of Israel, bewail the burning which the Lord hath kindled."
The EGW passage directly quotes and elaborates on the events described in Leviticus 10:6, providing context and interpretation.
"Then Moses said unto Aaron, This is it that the Lord spake, saying, I will be sanctified in them that come nigh me, and before all the people I will be glorified. And Aaron held his peace."
EGW directly quotes and references Leviticus 10:3, discussing Moses' words to Aaron about God being sanctified and glorified, and Aaron's subsequent silence.
The Lord would teach His people to acknowledge the justice of His corrections, that others may fear. There were those in Israel whom the warning of this terrible judgment might save from presuming upon God's forbearance until they, too, should seal their own destiny. The divine rebuke is upon that false sympathy for the sinner which endeavors to excuse his sin. It is the effect of sin to deaden the moral perceptions, so that the wrongdoer does not realize the enormity of transgression, and without the convicting power of the Holy Spirit he remains in partial blindness to his sin. It is the duty of Christ's servants to show these erring ones their peril. Those who destroy the effect of the warning by blinding the eyes of sinners to the real character and results of sin often flatter themselves that they thus give evidence of their charity; but they are working directly to oppose and hinder the work of God's Holy Spirit; they are lulling the sinner to rest on the brink of destruction; th…
"Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear."
The EGW passage directly echoes the principle of rebuking sinners publicly to deter others, as stated in 1 Timothy 5:20. The purpose is the same: to instill fear and prevent others from sinning.
"And all Israel shall hear, and fear, and shall do no more any such wickedness as this is among you."
Both passages emphasize the importance of heeding warnings and fearing the consequences of sin, so that others may learn and avoid similar transgressions. The EGW passage expands on the idea of false sympathy hindering the work of the Holy Spirit.
"Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?"
The EGW passage discusses God's forbearance and the danger of presuming upon it, which aligns with the theme of Romans 2:4 regarding despising God's goodness and forbearance. Both passages highlight the importance of recognizing God's patience and turning to repentance.
Nadab and Abihu would never have committed that fatal sin had they not first become partially intoxicated by the free use of wine. They understood that the most careful and solemn preparation was necessary before presenting themselves in the sanctuary, where the divine Presence was manifested; but by intemperance they were disqualified for their holy office. Their minds became confused and their moral perceptions dulled so that they could not discern the difference between the sacred and the common. To Aaron and his surviving sons was given the warning: “Do not drink wine nor strong drink, thou, nor thy sons with thee, when ye go into the tabernacle of the congregation, lest ye die: it shall be a statute forever throughout your generations: and that ye may put difference between holy and unholy, and between unclean and clean; and that ye may teach the children of Israel all the statutes which the Lord hath spoken.” The use of spirituous liquors has the effect to weaken the body, confus…
"Do not drink wine nor strong drink, thou, nor thy sons with thee, when ye go into the tabernacle of the congregation, lest ye die: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations:"
The EGW passage directly quotes Leviticus 10:9 and provides an interpretation of its significance in the context of Nadab and Abihu's sin.
"Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise."
The EGW passage discusses the dangers of intoxication and its effect on moral perception, which aligns with the warning in Proverbs 20:1 about wine being a mocker and strong drink being raging. Both passages highlight the negative consequences of alcohol consumption.