Monday
“Therefore it is against the Lord that you and all your company have gathered together. What is Aaron that you grumble against him?” – Numbers 16:11 (ESV)
When We Disrespect God’s Anointed Leaders
In the children's movie Finding Nemo, the seagulls each shriek "Mine! Mine! Mine!"; whenever they spot something they want. Seagulls are selfish, even to the point of killing one another in order to further themselves. A seagull alone is as wondrous as any other bird, soaring gracefully. However, the seagull becomes quite a different bird when in a group. Gulls will dive-bomb other seagulls, even kill them, just to steal a tiny morsel. Seagulls are fiercely competitive and jealous, maintaining a "look out for number one"; mentality.
In Numbers 16, Korah begins to shriek “Mine! Mine!” Dissatisfied with being just a Levite, Korah led a rebellion of 250 leaders against the authority of Moses in order to usurp the leadership of the priesthood from Aaron. The involvement of the Reubenites and others appears to have been motivated by jealousy of Moses' authority and blaming him for their loss of the Promised Land. Coming against Moses and Aaron was tantamount to coming against God, who had appointed them to their positions.
Reflection
God still takes it very seriously when we attack the leaders He has put in place. Why do you think it matters so much to God when we attack His leaders? How should this impact the process of putting leaders into place?
Praise/Prayer
Thank God for the spiritual leaders He has placed in your life. Ask God to show you ways to honor those spiritual leaders in your life.
When We Disrespect God’s Anointed Leaders
In the children's movie Finding Nemo, the seagulls each shriek "Mine! Mine! Mine!"; whenever they spot something they want. Seagulls are selfish, even to the point of killing one another in order to further themselves. A seagull alone is as wondrous as any other bird, soaring gracefully. However, the seagull becomes quite a different bird when in a group. Gulls will dive-bomb other seagulls, even kill them, just to steal a tiny morsel. Seagulls are fiercely competitive and jealous, maintaining a "look out for number one"; mentality.
In Numbers 16, Korah begins to shriek “Mine! Mine!” Dissatisfied with being just a Levite, Korah led a rebellion of 250 leaders against the authority of Moses in order to usurp the leadership of the priesthood from Aaron. The involvement of the Reubenites and others appears to have been motivated by jealousy of Moses' authority and blaming him for their loss of the Promised Land. Coming against Moses and Aaron was tantamount to coming against God, who had appointed them to their positions.
Reflection
God still takes it very seriously when we attack the leaders He has put in place. Why do you think it matters so much to God when we attack His leaders? How should this impact the process of putting leaders into place?
Praise/Prayer
Thank God for the spiritual leaders He has placed in your life. Ask God to show you ways to honor those spiritual leaders in your life.
Tuesday
And the Lord spoke to Moses and to Aaron, saying, “Separate yourselves from among this congregation, that I may consume them in a moment.” – Numbers 16:20-21 (ESV)
God Defends His Leaders
Whoever invented the word “chicken-hearted” didn’t know his chickens. I have never seen a greater demonstration of courage, fearlessness, and loyalty than I have seen displayed by a chicken in the time of danger. A hen will sit immovable through the most violent storm with her chicks gathered safely beneath her, that they might be protected from the elements without. This example can help us better understand why Jesus compared His own love to that of a hen who “doth gather her chicks under her wings” (Luke 13:34). (Lou Nicholes)
God quickly comes to the defense of His leaders in Numbers 16. God tells Moses and Aaron to stay clear of the troublemakers if you want to continue living. “In a moment” in Numbers 16:21 means a wink (of the eyes), a very short space of time, in an instant or moment. God was going to swiftly deal with those who were attacking the leadership God had put into place. God’s wrath was slowed by the intercession of Moses and Aaron in hopes that some would repent.
Reflection
Why is important to quickly deal with gossip and complaining in the church? How have you seen God defend His leaders in the past?
Praise/Prayer
Praise God for always defending His children. Ask God to use you to be an encourager and not a complainer in our church family.
God Defends His Leaders
Whoever invented the word “chicken-hearted” didn’t know his chickens. I have never seen a greater demonstration of courage, fearlessness, and loyalty than I have seen displayed by a chicken in the time of danger. A hen will sit immovable through the most violent storm with her chicks gathered safely beneath her, that they might be protected from the elements without. This example can help us better understand why Jesus compared His own love to that of a hen who “doth gather her chicks under her wings” (Luke 13:34). (Lou Nicholes)
God quickly comes to the defense of His leaders in Numbers 16. God tells Moses and Aaron to stay clear of the troublemakers if you want to continue living. “In a moment” in Numbers 16:21 means a wink (of the eyes), a very short space of time, in an instant or moment. God was going to swiftly deal with those who were attacking the leadership God had put into place. God’s wrath was slowed by the intercession of Moses and Aaron in hopes that some would repent.
Reflection
Why is important to quickly deal with gossip and complaining in the church? How have you seen God defend His leaders in the past?
Praise/Prayer
Praise God for always defending His children. Ask God to use you to be an encourager and not a complainer in our church family.
Wednesday
And Moses said, “Hereby you shall know that the Lord has sent me to do all these works, and that it has not been of my own accord. If these men die as all men die, or if they are visited by the fate of all mankind, then the Lord has not sent me.” – Numbers 16:28-29 (ESV)
God Defeats His Enemies
A reporter was interviewing an old man on his 100th birthday. "What are you most proud of?" he asked. "Well," said the man, "I don't have an enemy in the world." "What a beautiful thought! How inspirational!" said the reporter. "Yep," added the centenarian, "outlived every last one of them." (Source Unknown)
In Numbers 16:28-30, Moses outlived His enemies. Moses made it clear that God would defeat any enemy who stood in the way of His plans. Moses told them the judgment was not “of my own accord.” The phrase “of my own accord” literally means from my heart. This judgment was from the heart of God. God used supernatural methods to consume Korah and his household so there would be no doubt that God was punishing them for rebelling against Him.
Reflection
When we are following the will of God we can trust that He will defend us, defend His plan, and deal with His enemies. When have you seen God deal with someone opposing His work?
Praise/Prayer
Praise God for the promise of Romans 8:31, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” Ask God to help you trust that He will deal with anyone who is opposing His work in and through you.
God Defeats His Enemies
A reporter was interviewing an old man on his 100th birthday. "What are you most proud of?" he asked. "Well," said the man, "I don't have an enemy in the world." "What a beautiful thought! How inspirational!" said the reporter. "Yep," added the centenarian, "outlived every last one of them." (Source Unknown)
In Numbers 16:28-30, Moses outlived His enemies. Moses made it clear that God would defeat any enemy who stood in the way of His plans. Moses told them the judgment was not “of my own accord.” The phrase “of my own accord” literally means from my heart. This judgment was from the heart of God. God used supernatural methods to consume Korah and his household so there would be no doubt that God was punishing them for rebelling against Him.
Reflection
When we are following the will of God we can trust that He will defend us, defend His plan, and deal with His enemies. When have you seen God deal with someone opposing His work?
Praise/Prayer
Praise God for the promise of Romans 8:31, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” Ask God to help you trust that He will deal with anyone who is opposing His work in and through you.
Thursday
So Eleazar the priest took the bronze censers, which those who were burned had offered, and they were hammered out as a covering for the altar, to be a reminder to the people of Israel, so that no outsider, who is not of the descendants of Aaron, should draw near to burn incense before the Lord, lest he become like Korah and his company—as the Lord said to him through Moses. – Numbers 16:39-40 (ESV)
God Declares His Will
An old sailor repeatedly got lost at sea, so his friends gave him a compass and urged him to use it. The next time he went out in his boat, he followed their advice and took the compass with him. But as usual, he became hopelessly confused and was unable to find land. Finally, he was rescued by his friends.
His friends asked, “Why didn’t you use that compass we gave you?” The sailor responded, “I didn’t dare to! I wanted to go north, but as hard as I tried to make the needle aim in that direction, it just kept on pointing southeast.” That old sailor was so certain he knew which way was north that he stubbornly tried to force his own personal persuasion on his compass. Unable to do so, he tossed it aside as worthless and failed to benefit from the guidance it offered. (Source unknown)
God gave Moses and His children clear directions on His will for burning incense. The melted bronze censors that were used in Korah’s rebellion will now serve as a reminder to Israel of the importance of following God’s will. One author writes, “God graciously provides his people with signs and symbols of spiritual truths and realities. Humans live by sight, and such things are important for the way in which God teaches his people.”
Reflection
What are some of your favorite biblical signs and symbols God has given us? What do those symbols remind you of?
Praise/Prayer
Praise God for the perfection and beauty of His will. Ask God to make clear His will for your life in any area where you lack clarity.
God Declares His Will
An old sailor repeatedly got lost at sea, so his friends gave him a compass and urged him to use it. The next time he went out in his boat, he followed their advice and took the compass with him. But as usual, he became hopelessly confused and was unable to find land. Finally, he was rescued by his friends.
His friends asked, “Why didn’t you use that compass we gave you?” The sailor responded, “I didn’t dare to! I wanted to go north, but as hard as I tried to make the needle aim in that direction, it just kept on pointing southeast.” That old sailor was so certain he knew which way was north that he stubbornly tried to force his own personal persuasion on his compass. Unable to do so, he tossed it aside as worthless and failed to benefit from the guidance it offered. (Source unknown)
God gave Moses and His children clear directions on His will for burning incense. The melted bronze censors that were used in Korah’s rebellion will now serve as a reminder to Israel of the importance of following God’s will. One author writes, “God graciously provides his people with signs and symbols of spiritual truths and realities. Humans live by sight, and such things are important for the way in which God teaches his people.”
Reflection
What are some of your favorite biblical signs and symbols God has given us? What do those symbols remind you of?
Praise/Prayer
Praise God for the perfection and beauty of His will. Ask God to make clear His will for your life in any area where you lack clarity.
Friday
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. And he stood between the dead and the living, and the plague was stopped. – Numbers 16:47-48 (ESV)
God Delivers His People
I read about a small boy who was consistently late coming home from school. His parents warned him one day that he must be home on time that afternoon, but nevertheless he arrived later than ever. His mother met him at the door and said nothing. At dinner that night, the boy looked at his plate. There was a slice of bread and a glass of water. He looked at his father's full plate and then at his father, but his father remained silent. The boy was crushed.
The father waited for the full impact to sink in, then quietly took the boy's plate and placed it in front of himself. He took his own plate of meat and potatoes, put it in front of the boy, and smiled at his son. When that boy grew to be a man, he said, "All my life I've known what God is like by what my father did that night."(J. Allan Peterson)
God ultimately delivers His people by taking the punishment for His people. Moses and Aaron had a heart of compassion for God’s people and made atonement and intercession on their behalf. So too did Jesus make atonement for God’s people out of a heart of compassion. As Aaron stood “between the dead and the living,” he was a foreshadowing of Jesus dying on the cross for our sins to stop the plague of sin and death.
Reflection
What most stood out to you from Pastor Jim’s sermon this Sunday? What was one thing you believe God was asking you to do differently?
Praise/Prayer
Thank God for His heart of compassion and the mercy He has offered you for your sins. Ask God to help you change something He convicted you of from the sermon last Sunday.
God Delivers His People
I read about a small boy who was consistently late coming home from school. His parents warned him one day that he must be home on time that afternoon, but nevertheless he arrived later than ever. His mother met him at the door and said nothing. At dinner that night, the boy looked at his plate. There was a slice of bread and a glass of water. He looked at his father's full plate and then at his father, but his father remained silent. The boy was crushed.
The father waited for the full impact to sink in, then quietly took the boy's plate and placed it in front of himself. He took his own plate of meat and potatoes, put it in front of the boy, and smiled at his son. When that boy grew to be a man, he said, "All my life I've known what God is like by what my father did that night."(J. Allan Peterson)
God ultimately delivers His people by taking the punishment for His people. Moses and Aaron had a heart of compassion for God’s people and made atonement and intercession on their behalf. So too did Jesus make atonement for God’s people out of a heart of compassion. As Aaron stood “between the dead and the living,” he was a foreshadowing of Jesus dying on the cross for our sins to stop the plague of sin and death.
Reflection
What most stood out to you from Pastor Jim’s sermon this Sunday? What was one thing you believe God was asking you to do differently?
Praise/Prayer
Thank God for His heart of compassion and the mercy He has offered you for your sins. Ask God to help you change something He convicted you of from the sermon last Sunday.
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