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- What attributes of God’s character does this passage reveal?
- How does the passage point to Jesus?
- How should the truth of this passage change me?
- How do the events of today’s reading help you better understand the grand narrative of Scripture?
Num. 16-17
I noticed some things this morning about this challenge to the authority of Moses and Aaron. First, I believe that every one of the men who joined forces to rebel against Moses and Aaron were leaders in the community. Interesting how leadership gets to our heads, isn’t it? Also interesting how ‘middle management’, so to speak, wasn’t good enough for these leaders. They just couldn’t stand anyone being more important than they were.
Another thing I noticed was the typical projection that happens with self-serving people. They accused Moses and Aaron of exalting themselves above the rest of the assembly, arguing that the entire community was holy. The thing is, Moses and Aaron had not exalted themselves at all. It was God who exalted them. God had also exalted these lesser leaders, but they were not satisfied with that. So they were the ones attempting to exalt themselves above and beyond what God had done for them.
I further notice the typical behavior of those who attempt to exalt themselves in these leaders. They did it under the guise of putting everyone on equal footing. “Everyone in the entire community is holy, and the LORD is among them.” (from Num. 16:3), is what they said. They were not really concerned about the entire community, though. They just didn’t like anyone being more important than they were.
All of this takes my mind to Romans 13:1-2. “Let everyone submit to the governing authorities, since there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are instituted by God. So then, the one who resists the authority is opposing God’s command, and those who oppose it will bring judgment on themselves.” God made this point in this Numbers account in so many ways! Not only did He bring judgment down on those who opposed His authority, but He also confirmed that it was He alone who gave authority to those of His choosing by giving life to Aaron’s staff.
The bottom line in all of this? I need to recognize that whether I am in or under authority, it all comes from and belongs to God. Thus, I need to remain humble toward those below me and above me regardless of whether or not they deserve my respect.
Num. 18
God told Aaron, “I am giving you”, meaning his direct family line, “the work of the priesthood as a gift” (from Num. 18:7). The ability to draw near to God and to serve Him – the work of a priest – is a gift. This is the same gift God now gives everyone who believes on the name of Jesus. As part of the priesthood, God gave Aaron and his family the best and the holiest of many of the offerings the Israelites brought to God. Again, God now does the same for all who come to Him through Christ. As Jesus said in Luke 12:32, “your Father delights to give you the kingdom.”
This made me think. How often do we see serving God in this life as a gift? I think we are more inclined to see serving God as taking up our cross or denying ourselves, as if it is some great, sacrificial burden. And it’s true. Suffering and sacrifice are indeed a part of serving God in this fallen world. But the living God, the Creator, our Savior has taken up residence within us. It doesn’t get any more intimate than that. What a privilege! There is no suffering or sacrifice great enough to diminish that reward.