Links for today’s readings:
Read: Numbers 16 Listen: (6:59) Read: Galatians 5 Listen: (3:22)
Scripture Focus: Numbers 16.46-50
46 Then Moses said to Aaron, “Take your censer and put incense in it, along with burning coals from the altar, and hurry to the assembly to make atonement for them. Wrath has come out from the Lord; the plague has started.” 47 So Aaron did as Moses said, and ran into the midst of the assembly. The plague had already started among the people, but Aaron offered the incense and made atonement for them. 48 He stood between the living and the dead, and the plague stopped. 49 But 14,700 people died from the plague, in addition to those who had died because of Korah. 50 Then Aaron returned to Moses at the entrance to the tent of meeting, for the plague had stopped.
Reflection: Forgetful Rebels
By John Tillman
Imagine people ignorant about nuclear radiation breaking into a nuclear power plant. They enter the reactor unprotected and start handling the fuel rods. In minutes, they suffer lethal radiation doses. In hours, they die. It’s a tragedy of ignorance. “If only they had known,” we might say.
Now imagine a group of nuclear scientists who are well-educated about radiation, yet demand to enter the reactor unprotected. Peers warn and plead with them but they persist and perish. We would recognize that something went wrong with the scientists, not the uranium. It is a tragedy, not of ignorance, but of denial, rebellion against reason, and stubborn refusal to submit to authority. We cannot say, “If only they had known.” We are left with, “If only they had believed.”
God is not an inanimate, radioactive object like uranium fuel rods. Uranium’s power is merciless. It will kill anyone. God’s power rarely breaks out to punish rebels. Yet, God is also not “safe.” As C.S. Lewis said, “He is not a tame lion.” In order for God to live among them, Israel had to respect the ceremonial system and the priesthood God provided.
Korah and the rebels are like those stubborn scientists who rebelled against knowledge and reason to enter the reactor. They knew the regulations. They knew Aaron’s sons died from improperly burning incense. They knew Miriam and Aaron were punished for opposing Moses’ authority. How did they rationally expect this rebellion to go?
In order for God to live among us, Jesus came and died, crucifying our sin and irradiating us with his healing righteousness. We are purified and set apart like the Levites but we can still become rebels against our high priest.
Like Korah, we rebel by forgetting or denying what we know. Do we forget that Jesus is among us as the hungry to be fed, the naked to be clothed, the stranger to be welcomed, and the prisoner to be visited? Do we demand he bless our lusts or greeds? Do we place our security and economic benefit over the sanctity of life for others? Do we presume upon his grace?
Let us not be forgetful rebels against Christ’s mercy and let us run, like Aaron, to save any rebels we can. No one is beyond hope. Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.
Divine Hours Prayer: The Request for Presence
Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth; knit my heart to you that I may fear your name. — Psalm 86.11
– Divine Hours prayers from The Divine Hours: Prayers for Springtime
by Phyllis Tickle
Read more: Much Given, Much Expected
They ignored all they had just learned, and did things in an unauthorized way…To whom much is given, much is expected.
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