July 7, 2019 - - Numbers 16:1-5

Now Korah the son of Izhar, son of Kohath, son of Levi, and Dathan and Abiram the sons of Eliab, and On the son of Peleth, sons of Reuben, took men. 2 And they rose up before Moses, with a number of the people of Israel, 250 chiefs of the congregation, chosen from the assembly, well-known men. 3 They assembled themselves together against Moses and against Aaron and said to them, “You have gone too far! For all in the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the Lord is among them. Why then do you exalt yourselves above the assembly of the Lord?” 4 When Moses heard it, he fell on his face, 5 and he said to Korah and all his company, “In the morning the Lord will show who is his, and who is holy, and will bring him near to him. The one whom he chooses he will bring near to him.”

Numbers 16:1-5 ESV

In the book of Numbers many rebellions are recorded. The people of Israel, newly delivered from Egypt, rebel against the LORD and grumble because He is feeding them manna and they wanted meat, like they had when they were slaves in Egypt. Moses own sister and brother rebel against Moses and so they rebel against the LORD. The spies, sent to spy out Canaan—the Land of Milk and Honey which the LORD had promised on oath to give to His people—ten of the twelve spies rebelled against God and said the land’s people are giants and too mighty to be conquered. So, our reading this morning is just part of the long list of rebellions against the rule of God.

Why does this matter?

Well, when I read this I am tempted to say, “Okay, LORD, deal with Your people and wipe them out. Pay them back for their sins.” What does Moses do? As with every other time the people rebel, he prays. He falls on His face and intercedes for the people who are rebelling. Moses, though just a man, weak himself, is a forerunner of Jesus Christ. Jesus is the Perfect Leader, the Captain of our Salvation, Who ever lives to pray for us.

This passage is a strong reminder for us to check the rebel-uprising in our own hearts. How easily we grumble and complain against God and His anointed. Though we have been delivered from the chains of our sin and bondage to the addictions of our sinful lusts—instead of humble, awe-filled thanksgiving and gratitude, we are found complaining.

What does this teach us?

Sin has so infected our thinking, our intuition and every part of our being, that we cannot live without a master. We will either be Mastered by Jesus Christ and by His Spirit be brought completely under His rule, or we will be mastered by the devil and the tyranny of our own lusts, the world, and the wicked philosophies of this world. There is no neutral position.

What we can take away from this?

Why does Scripture record all these rebellions? To highlight the mercy of God. He is slow to anger, abounding in steadfast love, full of compassion. As often as we recognize our sin and repent of it, so often does He show mercy and forgiveness. It is the glory of God to rescue the very people who know that their sins are constantly trying to drag them away from Him. The humble in spirit, the people who know their own hearts well enough to know their rebelliousness are the ones rescued and saved. The proud, the people who refuse to recognize their haughty rebellion against God are the very ones who will, at the Day of Judgment, be cast into hell.

Today is the Day of Salvation. Today is the day to hear the voice of God, knowing full-well the full measure of sinfulness that keeps washing over you and cry out: “Jesus, have mercy on me, a sinner.” In the New Testament one of the emotions most often credited to Jesus is this: compassion. He will have compassion on the one who cries out to Him for rescue. Hallelujah! What a Saviour.

Blessed Jesus, it is very tempting for me to come to you, resume in hand, boasting of what I think I have accomplished. The reality is, the very best I can do is no better than used, pus-filled bandage, a sight of horror, spreading infection, and disgust. Great and Glorious are You, Jesus, Healer of the Soul; Victor over sin and death, conqueror of evil. Forgive me, yet again. By Your Spirit and the Bible, enable me to live for You with all I have and all I am. Jesus, be the Master of my life, every part of my life: finances and politics, work and play, morning and night, rest and activity, social times and when I think I am alone. Jesus, Intercessor, bring me, cleansed and healed into the presence of the Father, for Whose glory and great praise You have rescued ruined sinners and returned lost sheep. Direct me and rule me, so that all rebellion against You, Living God, is finally thrown down. Be Thou, Lord Jesus, my vision and highest joy. Amen.