March 10th | Numbers 16

Chapter 16 of Numbers is a dramatic and intense chapter that begins with the rebellion of the men of Korah. These men were Levites, yet they were not content with their station in life. The Levites were to assist the priests in the Tabernacle of God. They worked for the Lord, and the Lord set them apart and blessed them for this task. Yet, they were discontent. They wanted the glory of being a priest, a role only reserved for Aaron and his descendants. In their pride and discontentment, they accused Moses and Aaron of ruling over them and demanded they be able to enter the holy place of God as a priest. 

Because of this prideful rebellion, God opened up the earth and swallowed the entire camp of rebels, and they died. The judgment of the Lord was swift and decisive. It could not have been more precise; they had sinned against God, and God himself brought judgment. 

Sin Distorts Our Minds to See As We Ought

You would think the people would have learned their lesson. There would be no more complaining, and everyone would fall in line after the Lord performed this astonishing, earth-moving act of intense judgment on these people. Unfortunately, they did not learn their lesson. 

Numbers 16:41, “ But on the next day all the congregation of the people of Israel grumbled against Moses and against Aaron, saying, “You have killed the people of the Lord.”

Instead of accepting God’s judgment, they blamed Moses and Aaron for destroying the camp of Korah. Sin destroys our minds and hearts, distorting the truth. We seek to blame others when the blame truly lies with our sinful hearts. We are all sinners in need of God's grace. Instead of seeking to blame someone else, we should humble ourselves and try to see our sin and its consequences. 

Christ’s Grace Helps Us to See As We Ought

Despite this direct accusation against Moses, he doesn’t ask God to destroy them but asks for grace. God’s anger is kindled once again, and a plague spreads throughout the camp. People are dropping like flies and dying because of their sin. Moses, however, doesn’t sit and watch but jumps into action. 

Numbers 16:46-48, “And Moses said to Aaron, “Take your censer, and put fire on it from off the altar and lay incense on it and carry it quickly to the congregation and make atonement for them, for wrath has gone out from the Lord; the plague has begun.” 47 So Aaron took it as Moses said and ran into the midst of the assembly. And behold, the plague had already begun among the people. And he put on the incense and made atonement for the people. 48 And he stood between the dead and the living, and the plague was stopped.”

Moses stood between the dead and the living. He placed himself between God's wrath and the sinful people and petitioned the Lord to forgive. Moses and Aaron made atonement for their sins, and God’s wrath was satisfied.

Christ has done this for us! We all have sinned, and the plague of God’s wrath is coming for us. Christ could have watched as we were consumed by the plague of sin and judged justly by a holy God. Yet, he stepped into the middle of our story. He carried the cross and our shame to be the atonement for our sins. If we look at the grace of Christ, we can see clearly that, we are sinners in need of a savior. 

If Christ has shown you this grace, stop grumbling. Stop blaming others or, even worse, God for the hurts and wrongs in your life. Humble yourself before Jesus and live with gratitude for the grace He has given you!