SCRIPTURE: Numbers 16
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
Can you feel the sense of betrayal? Here we have fellow leaders, Levites who shared in the calling and blessing of the Lord’s work, opposing Moses and Aaron. And listen to Dathan and Abiram, they describe their bondage in Egypt as a land flowing with milk and honey. Do they honestly think they were better off without God, without His help? This whole passage oozes with grumbling and negativity, and if it was not for Moses’ mediation, God would have given up on the whole nation.
I am reminded of the betrayal that Jesus, the supreme mediator, must have felt when He endured Judas’ betrayal. “After he had said this, Jesus was troubled in spirit and testified, ‘I tell you the truth, one of you is going to betray me.’ Jesus answered, ‘It is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish.’ Then, dipping the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, son of Simon. [John 13:21,26] The very one that had shared in fellowship with Jesus, is now turning against Him. Did Judas honestly think that he would be better off without Jesus? We see how his life also ends in despair and death [Matthew 27:5].
My heart goes out to one-time Christian leaders who turn against the Lord and His way. I don’t pretend to know the struggle they went through, which led to their falling away, but do they honestly think they are better off without Him? How many of them end their lives in despair and death. The fact is, without God this world and this life lead to despair and death. The plague in our story, as well as the ground opening up under the family of Korah, and the fire from the Lord killing the other Levites – all these sad, horrible deaths only reveal where life without God eventually leads. The same with Judas’ suicide.
The Lord does so much for us. He has suffered and died to set us free, to restore us to God. He offers us daily bread, and longs to share it in fellowship with us. He uses life’s circumstances to show us that He is real, to warn us about turning away from Him. He gives us plenty of examples of people who live without God, against God, and we see the outcome of their lives. Don’t betray the Lord, it’s really not worth it. The devil may convince you that life apart from Him is milk and honey – but its sour milk and poison honey. “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.” [Revelation 3:20]
PRAYER:
Lord, thank You for showing me what life is like without You. I hear You knocking, I open my heart to You. Come eat with me.
Moses was appointed as leader and the Levites as the people set apart. Those opposing Moses did not see God’s hand in the daily affairs of life and did not see His daily blessings. They no longer wanted to follow but lead since they knew better. We are always wise in our own eyes. They wanted their inheritance here and now. They thought that they could do better than those appointed by God. They insisted that their way was better. The people were blinded because even after God dealt with the first group of dissenters, there came the second. They too didn’t see the hand of the Lord.
Help me Lord to have the eyes that see You and the ears that hear You speaking loud and clear. Help me to serve You daily and not insist upon my own way. You are the Way. You are the Source, the Provider for Your people then and now. Give me the eyes to see Your presence, Your mercies anew each day. Lead me, Guide me along the Way as You did for the people of Israel.
When upon life’s billows you are tempest tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.
Refrain
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your blessings, see what God hath done!
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.
Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly,
And you will keep singing as the days go by.
Refrain
When you look at others with their lands and gold,
Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold;
Count your many blessings. Wealth can never buy
Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high.
Refrain
So, amid the conflict whether great or small,
Do not be disheartened, God is over all;
Count your many blessings, angels will attend,
Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end.
Refrain