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March 2nd
Today’s bible reading is in Numbers chapters 16,17.
A very sad story...A Levite leader, named Korah, and three Ruebenite friends, Dathan, Abiram, and On...all of which should have been “humbled” by the way Almighty God was using two of their own...and Korah, especially, should have been “grateful” for how God separated his tribe to assist Aaron and his sons the priests...in holy matters of the tabernacle...but... they were “neither” ...neither humbled nor were they grateful to God for the good state of their lives.
Instead, they were jealous of the elevated positions of influence and authority that Moses and Aaron had in Israel...especially jealous of Aaron and his sons as Priests to God. They cried out...“Why do you exalt yourselves, Aaron?” (They asked, not really wanting an answer).
Korah and his buddies and 250 chieftains of Israel wanted to be priests too. Even though God had made it clear that the priesthood would come from the line of Aaron from the tribe of Levi.
Apparently the cloud by day had little effect on these men. Apparently the fire by night also had little effect on them. Their thoughts had become higher than God’s thoughts. Their ways had begun to outweigh God’s ways.
These men were there when God powerfully delivered Israel from slavery in Egypt. These men and their families were a part of the Red Sea crossing...as God’s hand parted the waters. These men were a part of the victory over the Amalekites...given by God as Moses’ raised his staff over the battlefield. These men saw God bring water from a mountain of rock...that quenched the thirst of two million people. These men had been fed from God’s hand with mana in the morning and quail at night for over a year. They had seen the fire and smoke and heard the great rumbling, thunderous sounds of God’s terrible presence at Sinai. And these men had just seen the fire of God consume thousands of unbelieving, complaining Israelites on the outskirts of the camp just days prior to these days.
But apparently, these men had forgotten who was God and who wasn't.
Why...they were there at the dedication of the tabernacle and the ordination of Aaron and his sons as priests...and what did they see? They saw the “sign of God”...the “stamp” of His presence...His “holy fire” from the holy place...lit the fire on the bronze altar of sacrifice...His fire of cleansing...His fire of sanctifying...the fire of His presence made this tent and these men His ...His place and His men... among the congregation of Israel.
Korah and his band of brothers were there. But apparently they had forgotten that this was all about God and His glory...not theirs!
Our text today reveals that many in the Sinai days believed that the problems in the camp were based on the fact that they weren't in the leadership of the community.
God had chosen Moses for national leadership and Aaron for spiritual leadership. Were they perfect? No...far from it. At best, we could say that Moses and Aaron were “repentant” men ...God’s men...set apart for God’s use only.
We can also say that God was going to use them to make a “promised land people” ready for the “Promised” land. When Moses and Aaron were verbally abused...when their leadership from God was challenged...What did Moses and his brother do? They humbled themselves and stayed right where God placed them.
What did God do about the uprising in the camp? God made certain that the nation knew who were His leaders on the ground...one more time.
How did He do that? Something about 14,000 casualties...a sinkhole all the way to Sheol...and a staff that blossomed and bore ripe almonds...all pointing to “The” Son Of Promise...Jesus Christ...trust Him...He’s always better.
Enjoy the rest of the story...
Have a great day...
