The Importance of Honesty in the Israelites

Two of Aaron's sons commit a blatant act of sacrilege, overstepping the prescribed bounds of acceptable worship. In these tragic verses, God behaves like an aging Henry VIII, sentencing to death well-meaning and adoring servants. Even the medieval rabbis were incredulous, that two young priests were struck down from mere ritual offence - especially since it stemmed from sincere desire to serve Yave.