February 9: Numbers 16-18

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2012

Numbers 16– 18

 

 

Today’s reading recounts part of the Israelites’ ongoing challenges to Moses and Aaron’s kingly and priestly leadership.  While the people direct their complaints towards Moses and Aaron, we may clearly sense an underlying frustration with God’s plan for the nation.  Despite having patently obvious evidence of God’s presence with Moses and Aaron – both on Mount Sinai and in the Tent of Meeting – the Israelites had rejected God’s authority over them, as administered through Moses and Aaron. 

 

In the case of Korah’s rebellion, Moses foretells and then witnesses:  “… If the LORD brings about something totally new, and the earth opens it mouth and swallows them, with everything that belongs to them, and they go down alive into the grave, then you will know that these men have treated the Lord with contempt.” (Numbers 16:30)  In his humility, Moses stands to protect the honor of the One Who sent him.  Yet, the Israelites contemptuously retort that Moses had “killed the Lord’s people.”  (Numbers 16:41)  In the resulting plague, another example of God’s well-warranted judgment, Moses and Aaron faithfully interceded on behalf of the people, and God showed both His righteous justice and abundant mercy.

 

We may draw three lessons from the text, in which God turns Korah and the people’s rebellion into an opportunity to establish the Levites’ service and “inheritance”:

 

1) The Israelites’ pridefulness had caused these leadership problems.  Korah’s rebellion and the people’s indignant attitude towards Moses and Aaron point immediately to the inherent pridefulness of each person.  Korah had incited even “well-known community leaders who had been appointed members of the council.”

 

We ultimately desire to carry out our self-will over and above others’ guidance.  In the U.S., we view the rights to “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” as justification for individualism and self-interest.  While Jesus condemns a leadership style that “lords over” others, He advocates for a servant-first approach:  “Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave – just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:24–28)  God has called us to submit to spiritual authorities and to facilitate their efforts:  “Obey your leaders and submit to their authority.  They keep watch over you as men who must give an account.  Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you.” (Hebrews 13:17)

 

The Scriptures often describe people as “sheep.”  Sheep may produce wool, but they require guidance to find proper food and to stay out of danger.  At points, sheep may become so top-heavy with wool that a simple slip could cause them to flip over.  From that position, sheep may not be able to recover.  Within two to three days, the flipped sheep would likely die.  Jesus Himself welled up with compassion at seeing His people, the first-century Jews, “harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” (Matthew 9:36)

 

God has instituted that both sheep and people would find loving, firm shepherds to guide and protect us.  Romans 13:1,2 explains that God has authority over the world’s governments, and we should accordingly give due respect:  “Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.  Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.”

 

What about less-than-godly leadership, however?  We will later read about Daniel, a servant to Nebuchadnezzar, who strikes the proper balance.  Daniel and his three friends faithfully follow Nebuchadnezzar’s leadership when it does not conflict with his overriding commitment to following God.  When Nebuchadnezzar creates an image for them to worship, they refuse and explain to this earthly king:  “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter.  If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king.  But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” (Daniel 3:16–18)  In short, we must have a firm grasp of the Scriptures so that we may properly evaluate whether a questionable matter forces us to refuse compliance in deference to God’s call on our life.

 

2) We find rest in becoming content with what God has given us:  Himself.  The people’s rebellion arises largely from their frustrations:  Why had Moses and Aaron led them to a point that seemed worse than Egypt?  Did God really not care for his people?  (Ironically, the people today declare Egypt as a “land of milk and honey,” yet they rejected – by siding with the cowardly spies – the true “land of milk and honey” that God had ordained for them.)

 

Ecclesiastes 3:10 instructs us that God “has also set eternity in the hearts of men.”  This reality means that we will seek after something greater than ourselves, longing for eternity.  To me, it also suggests that each person has a longing for perfection.  Both these yearnings should draw us towards the living God.  In our worldly attitudes, however, we may instead express these desires through complaining.  Most of our discontentedness arises when reality presents itself as different from our expectations.  Psychologists explain that we typically judge ourselves vs. our peers, who cause us to set expectations for our own lot in life.  If you reflect on yesterday, your attitude towards the day’s goodness will likely stem from whether it met, exceeded, or fell short of your expectations.

 

Paul writes in Philippians 4:11–13 that he had learned contentment, despite his imprisonment:  “I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.  I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty.  I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.  I can do everything through him who gives me strength.”  He had come to expect and long for only God’s presence and faithfulness, viewing “everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.” (Philippians 3:8)

 

3) God provides for His workers.  God institutes the Levites’ authority over the sanctuary, charging them to be “responsible for the care of the sanctuary and the altar, so that wrath will not fall on the Israelites again.” (Numbers 18:5)  They would receive “the service of the priesthood as a gift” (Numbers 18:7).  Their inheritance would not come in the form of land; instead, God declares that “I am your share and your inheritance among the Israelites.” (Numbers 18:20)  The Levite priests would receive the firstfruits of the land through tithes and offerings and would thus receive nourishment and blessing.  Yet, even with these offerings, God directed that “you must present as the Lord’s portion the best and holiest part of everything given to you.” (Numbers 18:29)

 

In a similar fashion, as “strangers on earth” (Hebrews 11:13) and citizens of heaven (Philippians 3:20), we are called both to be responsible for making disciples and enjoying God’s presence and His blessings – but continuing to offer the firstfruits as signs of thanksgiving and dependence.

QUESTIONS

1. How may you show greater respect to those in authority and facilitate their service?
2. How may you grow in contentment and your overall enjoyment of God’s blessings?

________________________________________
1) Blog:      http://bit.ly/rV1Cw1

2) Facebook:  http://on.fb.me/tc6jkS