Have you ever seen this verse before?

9 Then Moses and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel went up, 10 and they saw the God of Israel. There was under his feet as it were a pavement of sapphire stone, like the very heaven for clearness. 11 And he did not lay his hand on the chief men of the people of Israel; they beheld God, and ate and drank.

Can you imagine that experience? We think of the parting the Red Sea as a most awesome event, the pillar of fire/cloud. But here 74 men get caught up in the presence of the Lord and have a meal.

This was the leadership team-first Moses and Aaron had seen so many miracles, but to experience the presence of Yahweh in this fashion was all the more a confirmation of the Law that was given to them. For Habab and Abihu, who were to be the high priests of the tabernacle, this experience was to prepare them for their ministry before the Lord. What is so amazing is that these two, having experienced the holy presence of the Lord, would pridefully offer some sort of inappropriate sacrifice known only to us as “strange fire.” (Leviticus 10) The 70 elders were to lead the people up to the promised land, and be spiritual leaders as well as clan leaders.

That “they saw the God of Israel” seems to stand in contrast with other passages about not being able to see the Lord and live. (Ex 33:20) But when we read the description of the encounter, it is only about the floor, telling us that they did not or could not lift up their eyes to actually behold the glory of the Lord. We also read that the Lord did not hurt them while they were in his presence. This opportunity to see the Lord and live is a privilege given to a few who are called for an enormous task, even as these 74 men were. Isaiah sees the Lord, Ezekiel sees visions, Peter, James & John see Jesus transfigured, to name a few. God was preparing them for something greater for which sight was an encouragement.

But, at the same time, remember that after these great encounters, Nadab and Abihu were killed for their sin, the 70 refused to enter the promised land, and Peter “caved” when confronted after Jesus’ arrest. Stand firm today!