Highlights In Today's Reading:
Today's reading is far more than incidental Hebrew history. It brings to light how envy, jealousy, and discontent destroy the usefulness of "good" people. Always remember, God will reveal His will to anyone who desires to follow it.
Korah and his followers assumed they were only opposing Moses and Aaron, but God viewed them as rebels against Himself. How far more serious sin is from what it often appears to be! Korah (a cousin of Moses) . . . took men: And . . . two hundred and fifty princes of the assembly, famous (popular) in the congregation, men of renown: And they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron, and said unto them, Ye take too much upon you, seeing all the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the Lord is among them: wherefore then lift ye up yourselves above the congregation of the Lord? (16:1-3).
Although Moses and Aaron had been severely criticized and opposed by this crowd of famous Israelites who wanted to "help" him, through Aaron, Moses expressed a spirit of godly love, and made an atonement for the people (16:47). Now they that died in the plague were fourteen thousand and seven hundred people (16:49).
Few are aware that sin, no matter what form it assumes, is in reality rebellion against God. In fact, all discontent with either husband, wife, home, or any other relationship is rebellion against God. Perhaps, if we could see our complaints as they will appear when the books of eternity are opened, there would be a change in most of our attitudes!
Not what I do, Lord, nor what I say, But what I am, Lord,
matters today. Busy with nothing we fill up the years,
Hurrying, worrying, gathering tears.
Why can't I learn, Lord, that power is within,
Why can't I see, Lord, the waste of my sin?
If I could be, Lord, growing in soul,
Seeing each day, Lord, more clearly the goal.
If I could live, Lord, discerning thy face,
Ever more strongly held by thy grace; So take and mold, Lord this heart of mine, Till it shall be,
Lord, like unto thine!
M.E.H.
Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. But exhort one another daily . . . lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin (Heb. 3:12-13).
Thought for Today:
It may surprise many to find that God views bitterness and disobedience to be much the same as rebellion or as witchcraft (II Sam. 15:23).
Christ Portrayed:
By Aaron and his sons who were responsible for making proper atonement for all of the sins of Israel (Numbers 18:1). Jesus gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity (lawlessness) (Titus 2:14).
Word Studies:
16:6 censers =incense burners; 16:7 holy =set apart, dedicated to God; 16:31 clave asunder =split apart; 16:46 plague =fatal sickness; 16:48 stayed =stopped; 17:10 Testimony =Ark of the Covenant; take away =put an end to; 18:1 bear the iniquity of =be answerable for the sins against; 18:3 thy charge =your responsibilities; 18:5 wrath =further judgment; 18:9 oblation =offering; 18:11 statute =perpetual allowance; clean =cleansed from sin; 18:15 everything that openeth the matrix =very firstborn; matrix =womb; 18:17 firstling =firstborn; 18:19 covenant of salt =permanent contract; 18:21 an inheritance =their recompense; 18:27 corn =grain; 18:30 heaved =lifted up; 18:31 reward = wages.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for International Shortwave Broadcasts in memory of Henry Rogers • Staff: Gina Lesnefsky • Government Official: Sen. Mitch McConnell, Jr. (KY) • Country: Bosnia and Hercegovina (4 million) on the Balkan Peninsula in southeastern Europe • Major language: Serbo-Croatian • Little evangelism being done • 40% Muslim; 28% Serbian Orthodox; 14% Roman Catholic • Prayer Suggestion: Ask for your daily needs (Matt. 6:11).
Optional Reading: Luke 7
Memory Verse for the Week: Matthew 5:9