He left out the salt.

And he used 1 teaspoon of baking powder, not 3. The batter did not rise.

Recipes are a lot like the rituals of the ancient world. You had to use the right things in the right amount.

“…in the ancient world the ritual was considered something to be performed correctly. …To make an error in the prescribed forms of the rite was not just a mistake, but an act of impiety. …” Chronological Study Bible Notes

Nadab and Abihu put coals and incense in their censers. They did not take the coals from the altar but from another fire, (see Exodus 30:7, 8; 2 Chronicles 13:11; and Leviticus 16:12, 13). It was a “strange fire” they offered. It blew up in their faces and killed them.

Moses told Aaron and their brothers they could not mourn because they had the anointing oil on them. Their cousins removed the bodies.

Leviticus 10:6, “Moses then said to Aaron and his remaining sons, Eleazar and Ithamar, ‘No mourning rituals for you – unkempt hair, torn clothes – or you’ll also die and God will be angry with the whole congregation.’ ” The Message

Today, I learned why…

“Nadab and Abihu’s evil was their decision to determine for themselves right and wrong ways to worship. Even mourning for these dead priests was denied, lest it be seen as condoning their sin (10:6, 7).” Chronological Study Bible Notes

Besides, they were wearing their priestly robes. They could not tear them.

I wondered about this for years. I love it when I find an answer to a long-standing question. Have you ever found the answer to something that puzzled you in the Bible?

#bible