This will probably be a short post tonight, since Numbers 17 is a short chapter. But, it does show us something about the awesome grace of God and our own natures in comparison.
So, the Israelites have been grumbling...again. God had just passed judgment on some of the ringleaders, but now He's going to give a visible demonstration of His choice to them. And He states the reason for doing this: to make an end of their grumbling against Him, lest they die. So He has Moses take a staff from the leader of each of Israel's tribes, with Aaron's being for the Levites. Whichever staff He makes bloom will be the one that He has chosen, and a sign for the people. Of course, we already know that Aaron was God's chosen, so his staff bloomed and the others did not.
Now, see the grace here? God didn't have to give them any quarter. For as long as they continued to rebel against Him and the leadership He had placed in authority over them, He could have continued punishing them, and it would have been perfectly just. Instead, He extends grace to them by causing a sign that was very specific and not to be ignored.
Would we do this? Oftentimes, we're quick to destroy or disown anyone who complains about us or questions us. We're not as likely to pray for them or to extend mercy or grace to them. Unfortunately, since we so rarely do it, that's exactly what we're called to do. Think about it: the greatest mercy and grace has been shown to us, the greatest of sinners. Shouldn't we do the same?
To me, this is a really cool picture of God's saving us. Here we were, wallowing in our sin, grumbling against the God who loved us. Instead of leaving us there, He sent His only Son, Jesus Christ into the world. He did what we could never do, live a perfect life without sin. Precisely because of that and because God planned it before the foundation of the world, He was beaten, stripped, mocked, pierced with a crown of thorns, and crucified. He DIED on that cross. He shed His perfect blood to pay the penalty for MY sins. Not just the impersonal sins of the world, MY SINS. I put Him there, yet He died in my place, facing God's wrath against me, because He loved me even then. Then He was buried in a borrowed tomb for three days, before rising, conquering over the sin and death that had claimed me as its own, and after showing Himself to over 500 people, ascended to take His place at the right hand of God. And one day, He's coming back for me. How awesome is that? What grace is that?
Lord, thank You for Your sacrifice. I praise You, God, because You deserve far more praise than my stammering tongue could ever give You. You are a God my mind can barely fathom, and yet You love me. It's beyond comprehension, but I'm so desperately thankful that it's true. Lord, thank You for this perfect picture of Your grace in salvation in Numbers 17. Such a short chapter, but what a message, Lord. You love Your people even in sin and lead the way out because You've already defeated it. I am filled with worship for Your great name. What can I say, but thank you, thank you, Lord! Amen.
So, the Israelites have been grumbling...again. God had just passed judgment on some of the ringleaders, but now He's going to give a visible demonstration of His choice to them. And He states the reason for doing this: to make an end of their grumbling against Him, lest they die. So He has Moses take a staff from the leader of each of Israel's tribes, with Aaron's being for the Levites. Whichever staff He makes bloom will be the one that He has chosen, and a sign for the people. Of course, we already know that Aaron was God's chosen, so his staff bloomed and the others did not.
Now, see the grace here? God didn't have to give them any quarter. For as long as they continued to rebel against Him and the leadership He had placed in authority over them, He could have continued punishing them, and it would have been perfectly just. Instead, He extends grace to them by causing a sign that was very specific and not to be ignored.
Would we do this? Oftentimes, we're quick to destroy or disown anyone who complains about us or questions us. We're not as likely to pray for them or to extend mercy or grace to them. Unfortunately, since we so rarely do it, that's exactly what we're called to do. Think about it: the greatest mercy and grace has been shown to us, the greatest of sinners. Shouldn't we do the same?
To me, this is a really cool picture of God's saving us. Here we were, wallowing in our sin, grumbling against the God who loved us. Instead of leaving us there, He sent His only Son, Jesus Christ into the world. He did what we could never do, live a perfect life without sin. Precisely because of that and because God planned it before the foundation of the world, He was beaten, stripped, mocked, pierced with a crown of thorns, and crucified. He DIED on that cross. He shed His perfect blood to pay the penalty for MY sins. Not just the impersonal sins of the world, MY SINS. I put Him there, yet He died in my place, facing God's wrath against me, because He loved me even then. Then He was buried in a borrowed tomb for three days, before rising, conquering over the sin and death that had claimed me as its own, and after showing Himself to over 500 people, ascended to take His place at the right hand of God. And one day, He's coming back for me. How awesome is that? What grace is that?
Lord, thank You for Your sacrifice. I praise You, God, because You deserve far more praise than my stammering tongue could ever give You. You are a God my mind can barely fathom, and yet You love me. It's beyond comprehension, but I'm so desperately thankful that it's true. Lord, thank You for this perfect picture of Your grace in salvation in Numbers 17. Such a short chapter, but what a message, Lord. You love Your people even in sin and lead the way out because You've already defeated it. I am filled with worship for Your great name. What can I say, but thank you, thank you, Lord! Amen.
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