Day 28: Numbers 16–19; Psalms 121–126; John 10–12
There's a whole shake up occurring (pun intended) in Numbers 16 when the Korah Rebellion occurs. One of his number is Dathan. Edward G. Robinson played a character named Dathan in DeMille's "The Ten Commandments" Robinson's character lead a rebellion to take the Israelites back to Egypt. But the real Dathan was a Reubenite, the true firstborn of Jacob. And Korah was a Levite. They protested that Arron and Moses had exalted themselves as the spiritual leaders. Why could only Aaron and His sons enter the holy place? Weren't the Levites holy, too? In essence they were asking, "Who do you think you are?" And they detested Moses and Aaron. It is reminiscent of the question the fighting slaves Moses challenged when they asked, Who made you ruler and judge over us?" (Ex. 2:14)
God caused an earthquake that opened up the mouth of the ground and swallowed them all alive down to Sheol, the place of the dead beneath the earth in Hebrew lore. The shake up was just the beginning.
A similar challenge occurred when the Israelites blamed them for the deaths of the households of Korah and Dathan and the others who lead the revolt. God sent a plague on them. 14,700 died from the plague before Aaron could make an boffering to atone for their sin.
In each case God was ready to wipe them all out, but Moses and Aaron acted to intercede for them and saved the majority from the consequences of their sin. God validates before the Israelites His choice in Moses and Aaron. Twelve staffs representing the 12 tribes are placed before the Ark of the Covenant and overnight Aaron's staff buds, blooms and bears almonds! This miraculous sign is intended to save the people from coming near the holy place and begin killed. Only Aaron and his sons may come to the holy place and make offerings. Only the Levites who are giving to the priests to help them may come close to the tent of meeting, but they are restricted from the holy place.
Who do Moses and Aaron think they are? The are humble servants chosen by God for their role to represent God to the people and intercede for the people to God.
The Psalmist celebrates with song as the people travel toward Jerusalem for one of the three major festivals, Passover, Pentecost and Succoth.
I rejoiced with those who said to me,
"Let us go to the house of the LORD."
Our feet are standing
within your gates, Jerusalem —
Jerusalem, built as a city [should be],
solidly joined together,
where the tribes, the tribes of the LORD, go up
to give thanks to the name of the LORD.
(This is an ordinance for Israel.) (Psa. 122:1-4)
During Passover Jesus is also asked who He thinks He is. A form of this question is asked again and again, but they never choose to accept the testimony given. It is simply comical and sad.
Jesus said, I am the gate; I am the door; I am the good shepherd who lays down His life for the sheep. All who enter through me will have life (John 10:9-10).
Jesus says, I am the light of the world, walk in the light and you won't stumble in darkness (Jn. 12:35).
He says, I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me will never die (Jn. 11:25-26).
It's clear Jesus has a very clear message as to who He is. He is the One who was sent by the Father. He and the Father are one and the same. He is in the Father and the Father is in Him.
But will we have ears to hear this? Eyes to see it? Hearts to trust?
Who do I think I am before such a God who would lay down His life so I can live abundantly? Blessed.
There's a whole shake up occurring (pun intended) in Numbers 16 when the Korah Rebellion occurs. One of his number is Dathan. Edward G. Robinson played a character named Dathan in DeMille's "The Ten Commandments" Robinson's character lead a rebellion to take the Israelites back to Egypt. But the real Dathan was a Reubenite, the true firstborn of Jacob. And Korah was a Levite. They protested that Arron and Moses had exalted themselves as the spiritual leaders. Why could only Aaron and His sons enter the holy place? Weren't the Levites holy, too? In essence they were asking, "Who do you think you are?" And they detested Moses and Aaron. It is reminiscent of the question the fighting slaves Moses challenged when they asked, Who made you ruler and judge over us?" (Ex. 2:14)
God caused an earthquake that opened up the mouth of the ground and swallowed them all alive down to Sheol, the place of the dead beneath the earth in Hebrew lore. The shake up was just the beginning.
A similar challenge occurred when the Israelites blamed them for the deaths of the households of Korah and Dathan and the others who lead the revolt. God sent a plague on them. 14,700 died from the plague before Aaron could make an boffering to atone for their sin.
In each case God was ready to wipe them all out, but Moses and Aaron acted to intercede for them and saved the majority from the consequences of their sin. God validates before the Israelites His choice in Moses and Aaron. Twelve staffs representing the 12 tribes are placed before the Ark of the Covenant and overnight Aaron's staff buds, blooms and bears almonds! This miraculous sign is intended to save the people from coming near the holy place and begin killed. Only Aaron and his sons may come to the holy place and make offerings. Only the Levites who are giving to the priests to help them may come close to the tent of meeting, but they are restricted from the holy place.
Who do Moses and Aaron think they are? The are humble servants chosen by God for their role to represent God to the people and intercede for the people to God.
The Psalmist celebrates with song as the people travel toward Jerusalem for one of the three major festivals, Passover, Pentecost and Succoth.
I rejoiced with those who said to me,
"Let us go to the house of the LORD."
Our feet are standing
within your gates, Jerusalem —
Jerusalem, built as a city [should be],
solidly joined together,
where the tribes, the tribes of the LORD, go up
to give thanks to the name of the LORD.
(This is an ordinance for Israel.) (Psa. 122:1-4)
During Passover Jesus is also asked who He thinks He is. A form of this question is asked again and again, but they never choose to accept the testimony given. It is simply comical and sad.
Jesus said, I am the gate; I am the door; I am the good shepherd who lays down His life for the sheep. All who enter through me will have life (John 10:9-10).
Jesus says, I am the light of the world, walk in the light and you won't stumble in darkness (Jn. 12:35).
He says, I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me will never die (Jn. 11:25-26).
It's clear Jesus has a very clear message as to who He is. He is the One who was sent by the Father. He and the Father are one and the same. He is in the Father and the Father is in Him.
But will we have ears to hear this? Eyes to see it? Hearts to trust?
Who do I think I am before such a God who would lay down His life so I can live abundantly? Blessed.
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