Swallowed Up

Today’s Through the Bible Reading: Numbers 16 - 18

Abbreviated Reading: Numbers 16:28-17:13

In today’s reading we find an incredible picture of salvation! These three chapters in Numbers (16-18) are full of lessons, exhortations, examples, and a wonderful picture of Jesus, as Aaron the high priest rushes to intercede for the people.

Israel was camped in the wilderness. As we've seen in the previous chapters, they could have simply been enjoying the journey and reveling in the promises of God. God was literally leading them with a cloud by day and fire by night; He was sanctifying them and giving them a new way of living through His law; He had established His tabernacle where the people could go for specific needs and God dwelt among them; He was supplying all their food, water, and even their shoes were being preserved! Amazing provision.

BUT, some of the people were still not content and they began to grumble and complain. Just like Israel, we have a propensity to: grumble (Num 16:11, 41); be discontent (Num 16:12-14); we’re filled with pride and sometimes a false sense of holiness and lack of discernment (Num 16:3); sometimes not recognizing God’s anointed (Num 16:3); some covet ministries other than what God has called them to (Num 16:10); rebellion poses a constant pull towards things of the world; and some dig their heels, refusing to go where God directs (Num 16:12); while others question the “right” of God to require certain things of us (Num 17:5).

God is the same yesterday, today, and forever - His response then, is His response to us today:

God calls His people to His dwelling place to settle the dispute (Num 16:18); He gives them and us a choice and an opportunity to move away from the sin (Num 16:26).

He warned the assembly, Move back from the tents of these wicked men! Do not touch anything belonging to them or you will be swept away because of all their sins. Numbers 16:26

God loves us and knows that sin leads to death so He warns us to MOVE AWAY from it. Don’t even touch anything related to it. Don’t think that you can just listen a little, look a little, like a little, taste a little and it won’t swallow you up. It will. (Num 16:31)

But God is merciful, abounding in LOVE and even in the middle of discipline He sends “a way out” and someone to intercede for the people. In the Old Testament, we see Aaron the high priest running to pray for the people and the plague stopped (Num 16:46-48).

…The plague had already started among the people, but Aaron offered the incense and made atonement for them. He stood between the living and the dead, and the plague stopped. Numbers 16:47, 48

As Christians, we see our precious Jesus, our High Priest who stands at the right hand of God making intercession for us!

Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died--more than that, who was raised--who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Romans 8:34 ESV

Are you being swallowed up by life? Look to Jesus, our Redeemer and the lifter of our head! (Palm 3:3) Are you standing next to sin? It will swallow you up and pull you into the grave! Move away - Cling to Jesus - Run to Him and find life.