Numbers 16 has a lot to teach us. I'm still amazed and in awe at how God has opened my heart to the Old Testament, especially these books that I thought would be so boring or that I'd already heard all the stories from. Thank You, Lord!
Okay, so the first forty verses are pretty much about the rebellion of Korah. What this really boils down to is an issue of jealousy. He and the men with him chose to believe that Moses and Aaron were unduly exalted above the rest of the congregation, specifically above themselves. They didn't like it. Why wouldn't God be able to speak through them just as easily and powerfully? Shouldn't they get a turn at being "king of the mountain"?
What they failed to understand is that God chose Moses. Moses didn't exalt himself and seek after this responsibility; in fact, if I remember correctly, he tried every excuse in the book to avoid it. Instead of being grateful for a shepherd, a protector, a mediator between them and God, they were jealous of the position Moses held. They didn't see it as the responsibility or burden it surely was, but as a place of honor that they deserved. How ludicrous! In the end, their jealousy and presumption against God's design destroyed them.
Do we ever feel this way? Oh, maybe not specifically against our pastors, but just jealous in general? Perhaps instead, we should be grateful we don't have that position we want, that house we've been eyeing, that just extra something that brings with it power, prestige, happiness...because we should find our deepest joy in Christ instead. We should be thankful for whatever position we find ourselves in, knowing that God had placed us there for a specific purpose, whether we see it at the moment or not. His plan calls for us to be in exactly the place we are at exactly the time we are there with exactly the people we are with. God hasn't left anything to chance, friend, trust me on that. He's sovereign over all and His plans for you are infinitely better than any we could contrive on our own.
The rest of the chapter is basically another rebellion, this time because the people blamed Moses for the deaths of the rebels from Korah's band. WHAT? Were they not watching? Did they not learn what God does when His plans are challenged? What a stubborn group of people! It seems like they just had to have something to complain about!
But don't we do the same sometimes? We may be gently and graciously disciplined by God for something, but the temptation is still too great for us to leave it alone, or worse, we blame God for the discipline as if we didn't deserve it and complain against Him! What a stubborn people we are!
Instead, we need to trust in Him. We need to trust that He is good and all His ways are pure and righteous, even though it may seem unfair to us at times. Remember, we don't have the view God does.
Lord, what a wonderful, mighty, just, righteous, patient, loving God You are! Forgive me for testing that instead of trusting in it. Forgive me for times I've questioned Your goodness, Your justice, or Your plans for me. Help me instead to honor You through obedience and trust. You are an amazing God and I pray that rather than bucking Your design for me, You will burn away the dross and refine what's left, molding me into exactly who You desire, where You desire and with those You desire. I love You, Lord. Thank You for being my Father. Amen.
Okay, so the first forty verses are pretty much about the rebellion of Korah. What this really boils down to is an issue of jealousy. He and the men with him chose to believe that Moses and Aaron were unduly exalted above the rest of the congregation, specifically above themselves. They didn't like it. Why wouldn't God be able to speak through them just as easily and powerfully? Shouldn't they get a turn at being "king of the mountain"?
What they failed to understand is that God chose Moses. Moses didn't exalt himself and seek after this responsibility; in fact, if I remember correctly, he tried every excuse in the book to avoid it. Instead of being grateful for a shepherd, a protector, a mediator between them and God, they were jealous of the position Moses held. They didn't see it as the responsibility or burden it surely was, but as a place of honor that they deserved. How ludicrous! In the end, their jealousy and presumption against God's design destroyed them.
Do we ever feel this way? Oh, maybe not specifically against our pastors, but just jealous in general? Perhaps instead, we should be grateful we don't have that position we want, that house we've been eyeing, that just extra something that brings with it power, prestige, happiness...because we should find our deepest joy in Christ instead. We should be thankful for whatever position we find ourselves in, knowing that God had placed us there for a specific purpose, whether we see it at the moment or not. His plan calls for us to be in exactly the place we are at exactly the time we are there with exactly the people we are with. God hasn't left anything to chance, friend, trust me on that. He's sovereign over all and His plans for you are infinitely better than any we could contrive on our own.
The rest of the chapter is basically another rebellion, this time because the people blamed Moses for the deaths of the rebels from Korah's band. WHAT? Were they not watching? Did they not learn what God does when His plans are challenged? What a stubborn group of people! It seems like they just had to have something to complain about!
But don't we do the same sometimes? We may be gently and graciously disciplined by God for something, but the temptation is still too great for us to leave it alone, or worse, we blame God for the discipline as if we didn't deserve it and complain against Him! What a stubborn people we are!
Instead, we need to trust in Him. We need to trust that He is good and all His ways are pure and righteous, even though it may seem unfair to us at times. Remember, we don't have the view God does.
Lord, what a wonderful, mighty, just, righteous, patient, loving God You are! Forgive me for testing that instead of trusting in it. Forgive me for times I've questioned Your goodness, Your justice, or Your plans for me. Help me instead to honor You through obedience and trust. You are an amazing God and I pray that rather than bucking Your design for me, You will burn away the dross and refine what's left, molding me into exactly who You desire, where You desire and with those You desire. I love You, Lord. Thank You for being my Father. Amen.
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