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As much of Leviticus discusses the distinction of holiness and unholiness, this PARALLEL SYMMETRY is a practical example. It begins with a PARALLEL SYMMETRY SUBSTRUCTURE that contrasts the blessings by Moses and Aaron with the curse that Nadab and Abihu placed on themselves. Then five instructions follow starting in verse 10:4 which are a direct consequence of the disobedience.
1) Within the preliminary in verses 9:23 to 10:3, there is a CONTRAST in the CORRELATION OF SEQUENCES, the fire and glory appearing through Moses and Aaron, and the strange fire and deadly actions because of Nadab and Abihu. In the FIRST/FIRST elements, a and a′, the Lord′s glory appeared in verse 9:23B and the boy′s strange fire (a false glory) was offered in verse 10:1. Then the consequences in the two c LAST/LAST elements: the people fell in reverence and the boys were killed in irreverence. This shows the awesomeness of God′s holiness and the wrath of God′s disgust. Then the SUBSTRUCTURE SUMMARY in verse 10:3, the Lord demanded that He is to be treated as holy and to be honored. Aaron, apparently in complete disbelief, remained silent.
2) The response to the death of Nadab and Abihu is presented in verses 10:4 to 11. The FIRST/FIRST A elements deal with mourning for the sudden death of Nadab and Abihu. In A,, Uzziel′s sons were to not to weep with sackcloth. However, in A′ the twelve tribes of Israel were allowed to mourn. Similarly for Aaron and his two remaining sons, Eleazar and Ithamar, the two B LAST/LAST elements show they too were not to mourn (keep their head coverings in place) but remain within the tent of meeting with its anointing oil.
3) The CLOSING SUMMARY, verses 10:8 to 11, has an IMPERATIVE command to abstain from wine or strong drink when entering the presence of the Lord. Note: some people today interpret this to say because in Christ we are the temple of the Holy Spirit, we are to likewise abstain from any use of wine or strong drink. Show More Rhetoric Show Less Rhetoric
PARALLEL SYMMETRY:
... separation of the holy from those who are not ...
a change of location
BEGINNING MARKER: Moses and Aaron went into the tent of meeting. (v9:23A)
PRELIMINARY:
PARALLEL SYMMETRY SUBSTRUCTURE: ... Moses and Aaron blessed the people; Nadab and Abihu cursed themselves ... Show Hide
... Moses and Aaron ...
the glory of the Lord appeared to everyone
a
When they came out and blessed the people, the glory of the Lord appeared to all the people. (v9:23B)
fire came out, the offering was burnt
b
Then fire came out from before the Lord and consumed the burnt offering and the portions of fat on the altar; (v9:24A)
the people fell on their faces in reverence
c
and when all the people saw it, they shouted and fell on their faces. (v9:24B)
... Nadab and Abihu ...
a change of characters
sub-unit marker: Now Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, (v10:1A)
strange fire not of the Lord appeared
a′
took their respective firepans, and after putting fire in them, placed incense on it and offered strange fire before the Lord, which He had not commanded them. (v10:1B)
fire came out, the two were burnt
b′
And fire came out from the presence of the Lord and consumed them, (v10:2A)
Nadab and Abihu fell to the ground in death
c′
and they died before the Lord. (v10:2B)
SUBSTRUCTURE SUMMARY: honor the Lord and treat Him as holy
sum
Then Moses said to Aaron, “It is what the Lord spoke, saying, ′By those who come near Me I will be treated as holy, and before all the people I will be honored.′” So Aaron, therefore, kept silent. (v10:3)
a change of characters
SUB-UNIT MARKER: Moses called also to Mishael and Elzaphan, the sons of Aaron′s uncle Uzziel, and said to them, (v10:4A)
IMPERATIVE: the dead Nadab and Abihu were carried away
A
“Come forward, carry your relatives away from the front of the sanctuary to the outside of the camp.” So they came forward and carried them still in their tunics to the outside of the camp, as Moses had said. (v10:4B,5)
IMPERATIVE: keep your heads covered so that the Lord will not unleash His wrath
B
Then Moses said to Aaron and to his sons Eleazar and Ithamar, “Do not uncover your heads nor tear your clothes, so that you will not die and that He will not become wrathful against all the congregation. (v10:6A)
the people shall mourn over their death
A′
But your kinsmen, the whole house of Israel, shall bewail the burning which the Lord has brought about. (v10:6B)
Aaron and remaining sons to remain in the tent of meeting
B′
“You shall not even go out from the doorway of the tent of meeting, or you will die; for the Lord′s anointing oil is upon you.” (v10:7A)
a postscript
SUB-UNIT MARKER: So they did according to the word of Moses. (v10:7B)
CLOSING SUMMARY:
SUM
CHIASM SUBSTRUCTURE: ... do not drink alcohol in the presence of the Lord ... Show Hide
a divine oracle
sub-unit marker: The Lord then spoke to Aaron, saying, (v10:8)
no alcohol when go into the tent of meeting
imperative
“Do not drink wine or strong drink, neither you nor your sons with you, when you come into the tent of meeting, so that you will not die— (v10:9A)
for all generations
a
it is a perpetual statute throughout your generations— (v10:9B)
distinguish between the holy and profane
b
and so as to make a distinction between the holy and the profane, (v10:10A)
distinguish between the clean and unclean
b′
and between the unclean and the clean, (v10:10B)
teach to all
a′
and so as to teach the sons of Israel all the statutes which the Lord has spoken to them through Moses.” (v10:11)