What this strange fire was, which the sons of Aaron offered, is not said. But as it was so great a sin, as to produce instant death, we may humbly inquire, while we pray for grace to stand in awe and sin not. Is it not probable, that the sin of those young men was breaking in upon the province of Aaron, who, as the type of JESUS, was the only minister in the service of sacrifices? Lev_9:8; Lev_9:15; Lev_9:24. If this be a right conjecture, what is it to offer strange fire before the LORD, but to offer anything of our own, and not with an eye to JESUS, when we come before the LORD? In Exodus 30:9, mention is made of the prohibition of strange incense being offered before the LORD. And as incense is generally understood to have reference to the merits of CHRIST, why may not the sacred fire be supposed to have reference also to the person or oblation of the LORD JESUS? I Reader! let both the sin and punishment of those young men have this effect upon our minds, and may the perusal of it be sanctified to our souls, that death is our due also by reason of sin, void of an interest in JESUS. Who can stand, except in his righteousness, before that GOD who is a consuming fire? Hebrews 12:29.
Related Commentaries of Leviticus 10:1
Leviticus 10:1-2
1 And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the LORD, which he commanded them not.
2 And there went out fire from the LORD, and devoured them, and they died before the LORD.