Posts
When the Israelites heard the news that they’d been
consigned to wander the desert for 40 years and would never see the Promised
Land, several decided that replacing Moses would fix the situation. Their
initial comment should have raised red flags all over the camp: “All
the people are holy, every one of them, and the Lord is among
them. So why do you put yourselves above all the people of the
Lord?”
In effect, they were saying, “We have not sinned, and
we deserve to enter the Promised Land.”
God dealt with the rebellion swiftly. The families of
three men and all their belongings were swallowed up by the earth. And
although Moses prayed for mercy for the rest, God knew their hearts, and
He sent down fire from heaven to consume 250 men who’d signed on to the
rebellion. Their families were spared.
Because others remained in the large group who still wished
to rebel against the 40-year sentence, God began a terrible sickness that
quickly spread. Moses directed Aaron to quickly take incense into the
heart of the sickness to remove the sin from the people. But before he
could do so, 14,700 people died. Rebellion against God can lead to
terrible unintended consequences.
To reaffirm Aaron’s position as high priest, God caused
Aaron’s walking stick to grow leaves, bud, blossom, and produce almonds
overnight! What an incredible sight that must have been with the sticks
of the other eleven tribal leaders still dead and unchanged!
Father, rebellion against Your will bears terrible costs,
and as these verses show, others can suffer greatly because of our
rebellion. I pray that You will help my boys and me never to forget
this. Help us not to cause others to be harmed by any rebellion on our
part. Remind us to love You because You loved us first.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
No comments:
Post a Comment