Numbers 16

20 August 2019

BACKDROP

Note that, God’s people have been going through A LOT. Decades of slavery in Egypt, and then journey through wilderness. Just recently (Numbers 14), they were punished to journey through the wilderness for 40 more years! All these reminiscent of one of the biggest and most profound questions of life:- Why does a good and loving God allow suffering, even on His own people?!
Here, again we see a case of grave sin being committed IN THE CHURCH / AMONG GOD’s people. Yes, always remember Church will be attacked from outside, as well as inside.
“It is very easy to "preach" to non-believers a God who is all loving, full of mercy and grace. But, as soon as you start talking about sin or repentance or judgement or hell, many become uncomfortable, even offended, and tend to reject the God of the Bible. At times, these topics also draw persecution. Here again, we see that God of the Bible does brings judgement of sin. This is because God is also a 100% just God (We all agree that there needs to be perfect justice in the world). Fortunately, God also provides means of relief from absolute judgement on wrong-doings via His Son Jesus (but, maintaining the perfect standard on justice at the same time).

Potential Discussion Questions:-

What does this scenario translate to in current times? (i.e., place, context, characters, rebellion, judgement, intercession, etc etc)
- Whom do Moses and Aaron correspond to today? - Pastors in Church?
Why was there judgement (List the sins committed here) ? What would be similar kinds of sins in current times (say in the Church)? Can we face similar judgement in current times?
Apart from scary judgement from God here, do you see also God’s love here?
- Does the judgement scare you or encourage you?
Many reject Bible saying these stories sound like fairy tales. How do you respond?
Can you justify the judgement seen here to non-believers? Many do not expect such judgements from a “loving / good” God.
Anymore spiritual lessons?

Commentaries on Potential Discussion Questions:-

What does this scenario translate to in current times? (i.e., place, context, characters, rebellion, judgement, intercession, etc etc)

Today, in some ways, this scenario would be about some form of sins committed IN THE CHURCH / within the Church body.

Whom do Moses and Aaron correspond to today? - Pastors in Church?

Moses and Aaron would correspond to anyone (not just pastors) in the Church in a given God-ordained/backed role.

Why was there judgement? (List the sins committed here) What would be similar kinds of sins in current times (say in the Church)?

Judgment was upon the sins committed by some Israelites:- trying to create unholy division (i.e., v3, v11-12), (2) making false accusations against Moses & Aaron (v3, v13-14, v41), (3) unauthorized offering to God, in line with Leviticus 10, (4) Possibly jealousy (quite foolish as well, as Aaron seems to be in greater danger of being killed due to error or sin in his priestly duties)

Similar kinds of sin in the Church today would be: (1) someone trying to create unholy division, (2) making false accusations among one another, especially against the Church leaders, (3) Rebelling against God ordained ways & means in the Church, (4) Possibly jealousy

Can we face similar judgement in current times?

See commentary on "How Church members are disciplined for sin in today’s time? " in Exodus 32 commentary.

Apart from scary judgement from God here, do you see also God’s love here?

Who gave Moses & Aaron the heart and means of intercession?!

Does the judgement scare you or encourage you?

We all want 100% justice, and the fact is there is a God who is 100% just, and does not allow any wrong-doing go unaccounted for, is very encouraging. But then, this is also scary because we have ALL sinned and fallen short. That is, we are naturally children of wrath (i.e., Ephesians 2:1-3)

Many reject Bible saying these stories sound like fairy tales. How do you respond?

Can you justify the judgement seen here to non-believers? Many do not expect such judgements from a “loving / good” God.

We all want 100% justice at all times, and God is indeed 100% just (hence we see judgments from God) and does not allow any wrong-doing go unaccounted for.

Anymore spiritual lessons?
- Talking of the ministry of intercession - A quote from " commentary on 'How Church members are disciplined for sin in today’s time?' in Exodus 32 commentary. " - "Moses was often interceding for mercy and forgiveness on behalf of the Israelites (e.g., Exodus 32:11-14, Numbers 11:2, Numbers 16, etc.). Moses was far from being perfect and sinful himself. We are now very very fortunate to have a perfect, sin-less being (Jesus), who is interceding for us, at God's right hand - Romans 8:34. Also Aaron was the high priest (one, who along with other priests performed atonement rituals for the sins of Israelites) supporting Moses. He was also grossly imperfect and sinful. Now Jesus is our perfect, sin-less high priest. Israelites affected by sin in Numbers 16 (i.e., v47-49) would have wished Moses & Aaron were much faster & better in interceding & atoning for their sins - Fortunately, now we have Jesus as, both, our intercessor and high priest who is PERFECT & BEST in both these jobs!"
- This Chapter again reminds, how access to God was so limited and actually very dangerous back in the old Testament times (one could die trying to access God in Tabernacle / Temple without observing proper protocols and today so often we go to God with "lax" demeanor without dropping dead). Today we are so fortunate to have such an easy access to God (because of what Jesus did on the cross) and we take it for granted so much!

CLOSING REMARKS

At the end of the day, not just, Korah, Dathan and Abiram, here, but we all have grossly sinned and fallen short and are naturally children of wrath (Ephesians 2:1-3). Jesus warned us ALL - Luke 13:1-5 - "There were some present at that very time who told him (Jesus) about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And he answered them, 'Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them: do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.' ". In that line, now Jesus is leading the ministry of intercession and atonement (in the place of Moses & Aaron), so that we do not perish due to our sins. Those who are already "saved" are called to partner with Jesus in that ministry as per the "The Great Commission - Matthew 28:16-20".