Israel is a mess! Today’s reading details a conspiracy and rebellion. Accusations abound. Discontentment and turmoil infect the camp. There’s a showdown between Moses and Aaron and the rebels. The earth opens up and swallows the ringleaders. Fire from God and a plague break forth among the people. There is death. Graciously, Moses and Aaron stood between God’s judgment and the people twice. Notice one of these times…
And Moses said to Aaron, “Quick, take an incense burner and place burning coals on it from the altar. Lay incense on it, and carry it out among the people to purify them and make them right with the Lord. The Lord’s anger is blazing against them—the plague has already begun.” Aaron did as Moses told him and ran out among the people. The plague had already begun to strike down the people, but Aaron burned the incense and purified the people. He stood between the dead and the living, and the plague stopped. (Numbers 16:46–48, NLT)
These verses picture a soul-enriching truth for us! God is righteous in His judgment against sin. Moses and Aaron are gracious in their plan to intercede and spare the people from God’s righteous judgment. Moses and Aaron could have refrained; these people were against them! But Aaron, the high priest, risks his life to purify the people and atone for their sins. Atonement comes alive in the Bible!
This is an amazing picture of what Jesus did for us on the cross! Our sins are a grand conspiracy and rebellion against God. We are guilty. God is righteous to judge us! But the grace of God appeared to all of us through Jesus, His Son. Jesus took our judgment upon Himself, atoning for our sins with His blood, which was shed on the cross. His death took our death! Therefore, His resurrection is our resurrection! His life is our life! God made a way for us to come to Him and escape judgment!
But because Jesus lives forever, his priesthood lasts forever. Therefore he is able, once and forever, to save those who come to God through him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf. He is the kind of high priest we need because he is holy and blameless, unstained by sin. He has been set apart from sinners and has been given the highest place of honor in heaven. (Hebrews 7:24–26, NLT)
Believer, rejoice today that you are no longer under condemnation! In Christ, you have passed from death to life! Jesus is your Saviour…what a good, good God we have!
Thanks for joining me in my adventure to read the Bible chronologically! Today’s post comes from Numbers 16-17, Psalm 90. Tomorrow, I will be reading Numbers 18-20.