Thursday 08 May 2008

Background

This story begins at the beginning of chapter 16. It is one ofthose Old Testament stories that can be difficult to imagine inyour mind. It would probably be easier if it had been re-enacted onthe big screen. (Perhaps not, thinking of the large numbers thatwere swallowed up by the plague ...)

This story takes place while the Israelites, having left Egypt, arestill wandering around the desert or wilderness. Moses is theirleader and Aaron, his brother, is second in command.

The story begins with Korah, Dothan and Abiram and a company of 250men confronting Moses. They were furious because they thought thatMoses had gone too far in taking on the role of priest. They werealso disgruntled at not yet reaching the "land of milk and honey"(Exodus 3:8) -the promised land.

Moses gives them a challenge - to approach God directly - as heknows their anger is against God, and God will deal with thesituation. Moses wanted the people to know that judgement comesfrom God (Numbers16:28-29). It was not something that Moses had invented.

The outcome of this was that the rest of the Israelites rebelledagainst Moses and Aaron, because they thought that the brothersthemselves had split the earth and sent the fire which killed thosewho directly approached God. But Moses knew that he was a leaderunder God and he and Aaron turned towards the tent of meeting -where the Israelites worshipped God. They saw the cloud by whichthey recognised the presence of God.

In this passage we see God's judgement after the people hadrebelled. We also see that God had instituted Moses and Aaron aspriests and as such, they both had a heart for the people. Aaroncarried out God's instructions, spoken through Moses. He stood inthe gap between God and the people. By doing this he undertook thereconciliation or atonement for the people. Only after this couldthey move on, as all became well again between them and God.

To Ponder

How ready are you to stand in the gap as Aarondid?

What prejudices do you have to lay down, as yourealise that only God can judge?