Rather than address this question myself, I want to share something I found on the internet by a guy named T. Miller. He tries to reconstruct the story, adding some extra-biblical but possible dramatizations. His conclusions are reasonable, but rather than giving us a definite answer as to whether these priests were good or evil, they, nevertheless, keep us from being too presumptuous. 

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Chapter 1: Nadab and Abihu

Nadab looked down at his blood-stained clothes. The finely made linen tunic no
longer looked new, though it was only a week old. If it weren’t for his colorful sash and
the gold plate on his turban, someone could mistake him for a butcher. He wearily sat
down a rug beside his brother Abihu and cousin Mishael. A small fire was burning
nearby where Mishael’s brother Elzaphan was turning a spit to rotate a beef thigh. It had
been part of the fellowship offering for the people today, and it was to be eaten by
morning in a holy place. It was for that reason the fire was burning in the corner of the
6tabernacle grounds. Since leaving Egypt a year ago, meat was a special treat. Thanks to
his becoming a priest, however, it looked as if it would be a regular part of their diet now.

He lifted his wrapped turban off, looking again at the beautiful inscription on the
gold plate, “Holy to Yahweh.” It was just eight days ago that he was consecrated as
priest, along with his father Aaron and three brothers, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. That
day Uncle Moses had given them the beautiful clothes, and consecrated them by
sprinkling oil and blood on them. Father Aaron and the brothers had laid their hands on
the heads of a bull to place their sins on it while Moses cut its throat. Nadab remembered
the sick feeling he had as the bull’s struggling and bellows faded to stillness as a result of
Aaron and his sons’ sins. It was a reminder of the seriousness of his own sins. Had he
not refrained from confronting his father Aaron as he formed the golden calf? For that
sin alone, blood had to be shed. He shuddered. He had not seen so much blood in one
day since he and his fellow Levites had killed 3,000 among the other tribes for turning
against Yahweh and worshipping the golden calf. Since that time the whole tribe of
Levites had been set apart to God, and now, from the Levites, Nadab, his father and three
brothers were set apart even further as holy to Yahweh.

This last week was one of initiation. The brothers and Aaron had stayed on the
grounds of the tabernacle to complete the seven days of ordination. They had talked
about the myriad of details that was to become part of their daily lives. They reviewed
the different types of sacrifices and what was required for each: the burnt offering,
fellowship offering, sin offering, guilt offering and grain offering. Some had
subcategories that were handled differently, such as if someone brought a fellowship
offering from thankfulness to God or as the result of a vow. There was a lot to learn, and
when someone would bring a sacrifice, each of them should know what is to be done.
They talked about who would do what. Who will hold the animal, how they would
constrain it, who would actually kill the animal, and who would hold the basin to the
dying animal to collect the blood as it drains. Following that, the animals needed at least
partially butchered and a portion or all of it burned, depending on the sacrifice. Many of
the details were specified by God’s instruction to Moses, and other details they had to
work out themselves.

Today, the eighth day since the ordination, had been an exhausting day, yet it was
far from over. This was the first day of their priestly ministry. They had sacrificed two
calves, an ox, three sheep, and a goat. Some of the animals were yearlings, which meant
that they would have been newborn when they left Egypt. They would have been part of
those struggling to keep up while being driven through the divided Red Sea. The day
was fresh in Nadab’s mind. It was not even a year ago. He had picked up a stone the
size of his hand as they crossed the dry riverbed to remember God’s miraculous
deliverance, and now this stone had proved to be a very effective sharpening stone which
they would now use everyday in their priestly work.

His thoughts were interrupted by Mishael. “Nadab, do you want some of the
meat?” He was holding out a clay bowl of manna with a large piece of roasted beef on
top.

“Not now,” Nadab responded, waving him off. He was far too excited to eat right
now. This morning Moses had announced that they were to prepare sacrifices, for today
Yahweh was going to appear to them! Nadab had seen Yahweh once before. It was an
indescribable experience. After arriving at their current location, Moses had met with
Yahweh on the mountain Sinai behind the camp. Moses had been instructed to bring
7Aaron, himself and Abihu, as well as seventy of the elders of the people partway up the
mountain. Just think, Yahweh had spoken his name, Nadab! Though his younger two
brothers had never mentioned anything, Nadab could see the disappointment in their eyes
when only the elder two brothers received the invitation. Yahweh! He and the others
saw Him and yet were not struck down! He had stood on beautiful clear blue stones.
The picture was etched in his mind but words could not communicate with his younger
siblings when he returned. After seeing Yahweh, they had noticed food set before them
on a wonderfully adorned floor mat. Then, in an experience of wonderful intimacy, they
ate and drank in the presence of the God of Israel. As they finished the meal, suddenly
Yahweh vanished. Then Moses and Joshua went on up the mountain and the others
returned to camp. Today is the second time Nadab would see Yahweh. Perhaps it was
better that he not eat anything before hand. The last meal he ate in God’s presence was
delicious. Since that time, Nadab had a feeling of special intimacy with Yahweh.

It should not be long now. They had finished all the sacrifices and Uncle Moses
and Father had gone into the Tent of Meeting. What was taking so long? He wasn’t the
only one getting impatient. The whole assembly of Israelites had gathered today to watch
the events unfold. They too, were waiting for a chance to see their God.

Nadab stared into the fire. Abihu had sent Elzaphan to Aaron’s tent to get a live
coal to start this fire after the ordination eight days ago. This was the same fire that they
had used to cook the Passover lamb the night they left Egypt. As they were rushing
around to leave that night, he had seen his mother stoop over the fire, shoveling ashes
into a clay pot. When the pot was half full of ashes, she carefully placed five red coals in
the center, and then filled the pot the rest of the way with more ashes. After placing a lid
on and wrapping the pot in a cloth, she had handed it to Nadab. “You’re the oldest. I’m
trusting you with the fire.” That night when they had stopped to camp he had carefully
blown the embers back to life. Several other families, who had not been as prepared,
came with sticks so they could get their own fire started. Since that time Nadab’s family
had never let this fire go out. Even through rain they had managed to protect it. This fire
had come through the sea with them between the walls of water that would normally have
extinguished anything at that location. Every night it had cooked their supper and kept
them warm. It was always available for a neighbor to take a coal to start a fire that had
gone out. This fire was a special gift from Yahweh, a gift that Nadab wanted to preserve
for his children.

Nadab’s thoughts were interrupted by others close by pointing excitedly towards
the Holy Place. He stood up to see his dad and Uncle Moses coming out of the tent.
They raised their hands and an expectant hush fell over the crowd. Moses then prayed in
a loud voice, “Yahweh, we have completed the sacrifices you commanded. Bless Your
people now by showing them Your glory.” As Moses finished these words, he and Aaron
both waited with hands raised. The hush was interrupted by a thunderous explosion of
light above the Tabernacle. In the center of the light was a figure of a man with light
blazing from Him. At the explosion, lightning streaked out from the center of the light
and slammed into the offerings that had already been burning on the altar, sending the
smoldering fire flaming high into the sky. The whole crowd yelled at the explosion; the
power of the moment was completely overwhelming. The yells changed to those of joy.
They were looking at God! Joyous fright swept across the crowd as people began falling
face down towards the Glory. One dared not look, as one cannot stare at the sun. This
light was different, however, in both its brightness and its holiness. It seemed to shine
8into the soul, leaving each heart bare before God. Who would dare to stand in such holy
light? If they looked too long, they might be consumed by His Holiness.

Nadab also fell to the ground. What glory! What an amazing God he served!
And God had accepted his sacrifices that he and his brothers had helped arrange on the
altar! Like Able his offering had been acceptable! This majestic God had mentioned his
name to Moses on the mountain. And now He had put his approval on him and his
brothers. As the eldest, he was going to be the primary priest when his elderly father
would no longer be able to serve. He, Abihu, and their two younger brothers were to lead
this whole nation in worship of the One True God, the God of their fathers Abraham,
Isaac, and Jacob.

Nadab reached over to Abihu who had fallen next to him and squeezed his hand.
Growing up they had had their share of squabbles, but over the past several years they
had become best friends. Over the last several weeks of preparation for their ordination,
all four brothers had had quite a few talks about the responsibility they have now and will
inherit when there dear father goes to Abraham’s bosom. How can they lead this huge
crowd of people in meaningful worship? In the framework of the structure Yahweh had
given Uncle Moses on the mountain, what could they do that would impart significance
to the people? The two youngest felt that it was important only to do what was
commanded and no more, but Nadab and Abihu felt like it was possible to personalize
their worship within the given framework in a way that both God and the people would
find meaningful. The younger brothers could not understand. They had not eaten in
Yahweh’s presence as Nadab and Abihu had.

As Nadab laid face down on the ground he was overwhelmed. He nudged Abihu
to get his attention. “We must respond.” he whispered.
“What do you mean?” asked Abihu.

“We are the priests. We must respond to God’s glory on behalf of the people.
We must give Yahweh something in return for this blessing.” Nadab’s voice was
trembling but sounded firm.

Abihu wasn’t quite convinced, “What do you suggest?” The two lay still in
thought for a moment. After a moment Abihu spoke, “The only thing commanded for us
to do yet today is to offer incense and light the lamps.”

“That’s it!” said Nadab, “Incense! We must act before Yahweh’s glory leaves!”
Abihu hesitated, “But we are to offer incense at dusk on the Altar of Incense.”

Nadab was growing impatient. “It is almost dusk now. And the incense is for
Yahweh’s pleasure, not the altar’s. After His presence goes down into the Holy of
Holies, then we will offer incense on the Altar of Incense. His glory is waiting above the
tabernacle for us to respond. If we fail to offer Him this pleasing aroma now, we will be
forever disappointed. We will have missed this opportunity to show our love and
appreciation to God for Him consuming our offerings with fire and showing us His
presence. An extraordinary event like this demands a special response.”

Abihu nodded, “Let’s do it.” Then he paused, “But what coals should we use?
We dare not approach the Glory of Yahweh with empty hands, even if it is only as far as
the Altar of Burnt Offerings to get coals from it.”

Nadab answered, “I have the holy incense with me for tonight’s offering. That is
the important thing. We will use coals from our family’s fire. The aroma that rises to
Yahweh is the important thing.”

The two brothers slowly stood up. They could not look up, as the brilliance of
God’s glory was still blazing. Abihu picked up their censers they had placed nearby for
their duties later in the evening. Nadab took the tongs leaning against the cooking pot
and carefully placed several coals in each censer from their fire; the same fire he had
carried from Egypt. On top of the embers Abihu sprinkled some of the incense prepared
according to the specifications given by God to Moses. Smoke rolled from the censers,
filling the air with a sweet, pungent aroma. With one hand shielding their eyes, and one
hand holding their smoking censers, they tentatively made their way in the direction of
the glory of God. As they did, some dared to peak from their prone positions at what was
unfolding in front of them. The two brothers, dressed in their priestly tunics bloodstained
by the day’s sacrifices, cautiously approached the bright gloriousness of God, holding
their smoking censers in front of them as offerings of worship. They stopped when the
heat from His presence became almost too great to tolerate. Nadab found his voice, but it
came out in a loud, trembling whisper. “Great Yahweh, God of our fathers Abraham,
Isaac, and Jacob, we offer this incense as worship to you. Accept this pleasing fragrance
on behalf of us and the whole community.”

His voice drew the attention of more in the crowd. They looked up just enough to
watch. When Nadab had spoken, the priests held their smoking censers up toward the
Glory of God. At that moment two shafts of lighting shot from the brilliance above them
and with a thunderous boom struck the two brothers. The priests fell, their censers
clanging onto the hard ground. A deathly silence fell over the entire congregation. In
hushed unbelief they stared in silence. In front of them lie their priests, smoke drifting
from both their bodies and the smoldering embers of unauthorized fire scattered beside
them.

Chapter 2: Processing the Story
The journey ahead

If you haven’t already, take a moment to consider your feelings regarding the
dramatized story above. Do you want to disregard it as an incorrect rendering of what
actually took place? I will admit I have wanted to. Perhaps the most troubling part of the
story of Nadab and Abihu as presented earlier is that they are portrayed as worshippers of
God, not as two wicked, rebellious sons, as I have always viewed them. Many of us
cannot let our minds consider these brothers as worshipers because it immediately
conflicts with our view of who God is. Would the God you know strike dead two men
who loved Him if they were not trying to disobey? Is this the God of grace you know? Is
this the Jesus of the New Testament? Perhaps we can dismiss this all as a
misinterpretation of what happened that day. Perhaps it is not important to us today
because it happened in the Old Testament era.

But, perhaps not.

In the following pages, I want to explore what we can know for certain regarding
this story from the pages of Scripture. Following that, we will move into the larger
context of this story, including the context of the New Testament. How does this story
reveal God’s character in the context of a heart-focused God that we see through the Old
and New Testaments? Also, we will explore if there are other troubling stories such as
that of Nadab and Abihu that give further clarity to the person of God. These all tie into
the theme of wanting to know more fully the character of our God, which comprises Part
101 of this book. Part 2 is a look in the mirror; trying to understand how the priest-brothers,
as well as all of us today, might come to the place of offering “unauthorized fire” to God.
It examines the potential sources of unauthorized fire. Part 3 is my personal journey of
sorting through my belief system, while attempting to place my love for God in front of
my personal desires. It is an examination of my censer; a look for unauthorized coals in
my worship. It is an application of the story of Nadab and Abihu. This section is not so
much an attempt to convince readers that my beliefs are correct, but rather an
encouragement for each of you to search the Scriptures for yourselves. May the Spirit of
God work in your heart as you read this book, giving you the messages He has for you,
and keeping you from being distracted by anything written that is not of Him.

The facts

It is important to take some time to divide the Biblical facts from the extrabiblical content in
the story above. The core of the story is printed at the beginning of Chapter 1 to give a
reference point from which to read the dramatization. The time and place of the story are
based on Scripture (Exodus 40:17, 19:1, Numbers 10:11). The incredible, yet little known
story of Nadab and Abihu, along with 70 elders going partway up Sinai to see God and eat
and drink is found in Exodus 24. That the brothers used coals from a fire that they had kept
burning from Egypt is a possibility but the Bible says nothing of this. No words of either brother
are recorded. While the Bible states that this event took place on the first day of the priest’s
service, it does not say when. It would also fit the Biblical framework that the Glory of God
entered the Holy of Holies after revealing Himself to the people, and it was the prescribed time
at dusk when the two brothers burned the official incense on the Altar of Incense, but used
coals from a cooking fire. While there are many unknowns, the Bible records sufficient information
to learn the lessons God wants to teach us.

They disobeyed God

The Bible does not say exactly what it was the brothers did that was wrong, other
than that they offered unauthorized fire. The important thing, however, is that Nadab and
Abihu disobeyed God. They offered fire to God that was “unauthorized.” God, through
Moses, had given several stipulations regarding the offering of incense: the incense had a
specified recipe (Exodus 30:9, 34-38,) it was to be offered on the Altar of Incense in the
morning and evening when the priests tended the lamp stand (Exodus 30:7-8,) and the
coals were to come from the Altar of Burnt Offerings (Leviticus 16:12-13.) The
requirement that the coals should come from the Altar of Burnt Offerings is not recorded
till after this event, but it might have been part of the verbal instructions Moses gave to
them that was not recorded till later. Which of these commands were broken is not clear
from the Biblical text, yet they broke one or more of these instructions. They might have
used common incense, offered it in the afternoon, not offered it on the Altar of Incense,
or used the wrong coals. Some have questioned if the brothers were drunk when they
offered their incense, based on a prohibition against drinking alcohol Moses gave to
priests later in the chapter. This seems unlikely, however, due to the specific mention
that it was the fire that was unauthorized. Whatever the specifics of what the sin was, the
truth remains that Nadab and Abihu disobeyed God and it cost them their lives. This is
where many of us dismiss this story and move on.

Up to this point they showed zealous obedience to God

It is clear that they disobeyed God, but why did they do it? It is tempting to view
these two brothers as independent, disrespectful, and downright bad guys, and thus
deserving of their punishment. We want to believe that when the Israelites went to their
tents that night they talked about the priests’ death in tones of understanding that God
finally got rid of those “bad apples.”

If this story were erased from the Bible, however, we would have very positive
views of these two brothers. Exodus 32 describes the situation after Moses came down
from Sinai and saw the people worshiping the golden calf. He announced, “Whoever is
for the Lord, come to me.” All the Levites, which included Nadab and his brothers,
rallied to Moses. They were then instructed to put on swords and go kill their brothers,
friends, and neighbors to mete out God’s judgment for their disobedience. Their
obedience to God was so strong that they obeyed, killing 3,000 fellow Israelites that day.
Though the Hebrew is translated in various ways, it seems that God set the Levites apart
that day for their actions.

Another Scripture that shows God’s favor towards Nadab and Abihu takes place
in Exodus 24. When God revealed Himself to the elders of Israel part-way up Mt. Sinai,
only these older two sons of Aaron were invited to come along, while the younger two
remained at home. It is as if God had chosen Nadab and Abihu from Aaron’s four sons
to carry the bulk of the priestly duties in their generation. God could have chosen the
younger two brothers if Nadab and Abihu were rebels.

When God told Moses regarding the priests’ special outfits in Exodus 28:40, He
said that the tunics, sashes and headbands were to give Aarons four sons dignity and
honor. He mentioned all four brothers by name. This implies only good about each of
them. It was a true privilege to be set aside by God Himself and given honor and dignity!

Up till this point Aaron and his sons had shown obedience in everything.
Immediately prior to this fateful offering, they had just spent seven obedient days
cloistered in the court of the Tabernacle. Regarding this time Leviticus 8:36 says that
“Aaron and his sons did everything the Lord commanded through Moses.” Offering
unauthorized fire is the first mention of the sons’ disobedience.

They were worshippers

It is also worth noting that these two men had some incredible encounters with
God. At Mount Sinai God called Moses, Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and 70 of the nation’s
elders to come part-way up the mountain and worship. At this point it is already clear
that God had a special plan for these two brothers. They, together with the leaders of
Israel, had the most incredible opportunity any person alive could hope for; to see God.
They went up the mountain part-way, and “saw the God of Israel.” They saw a
representation of God that looked like a man, because they noted that under His feet was
clear blue stone. A most wonderful verse states that these men “saw God, and they ate
and drank” (Exodus 24:11b). More than an intense moment, they had a meal in God’s
glorious presence! What would they have eaten and drank? There is no record of them
taking supplies with them. It might have been a feast prepared by God Himself. What an
opportunity to feast in the presence of Almighty God at meal He prepared! What a
memorable time of worship! From there, Moses and Joshua went further up the
mountain for the next forty days.

On the day they died they saw God in more glory than we can ever hope to see
Him this side of Heaven. One can hardly respond to an overpowering display of God’s
glory such as this with rebellion. As the priests were such a central part of the day’s
events in offering sacrifices to God, they were surely central in worship at the display of
His glory.

Another fact we know is that these brothers were offering something to God. No
matter the reason why the incense was “unauthorized,” they were still making an offering
to God. It is tempting to think that the brothers’ focus was more on themselves than on
God. The context of their offering, however, was perhaps the most intense worship
services ever held on this earth, and surely the most spiritually exhilarating day they had
ever had.

Why did God kill them?

If Nadab and Abihu had hearts turned toward God, why did He strike them down?
According to Moses, it was because, “Among those who approach me I will show myself
holy; in the sight of all the people I will be honored” (Leviticus 10:3.) Their
disobedience had dishonored God. They did not treat Him as holy as He deserved.
Given the history building up to this event, their actions, God’s response, and Moses’
analysis, it seems most likely that these two men were enthusiastic, yet careless,
worshippers. They were earnest followers of God responding in worship. They
worshiped God in a way that seemed right to them. Undoubtedly their consciences
affirmed that it was OK to take coals out of their supper fire-pit, or offer incense directly
to God’s glory as it appeared to Israel instead of at dusk on the Altar of Incense, or
whatever aspect of God’s direction they disobeyed. They didn’t think the detail was
important. They decided based on what felt right to them, though it happened to be
wrong to God. Their sin more probably stemmed from a dismissive, casual attitude
rather than rebellion, and they were killed for it.

God is zealous for His honor. If these brothers were lowering the people’s view
of God by their offering, it is understandable that God would act against them. Another
story reflects God’s zealousness to protect His honor. In Numbers 25 Nadab’s nephew
Phinehas killed a man having sex with a Midianite woman and stopped a plague of God
that was killing the Israelites for their immorality. God said of Phinehas, “…he was as
zealous as I am for my honor among them….”

I hope to talk to Nadab about this story in Heaven, at least if we even want to talk
about sin there. While God killed him and Abihu physically for this sin, it does not mean
that they also were condemned to Hell. In another story recorded in Joshua 7, a man
named Achan sinned, repented, and was killed for it, in that order. Even his sons and
daughters were killed. There is a physical consequence for sin, sometimes even death,
that does not necessarily translate to punishment in the afterlife.

(Full article: http://unauthorizedfire.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Unauthorized-Fire-Chapters-1-16.pdf)