Numbers 19:17-19 Cleansing

 17For the purification of the unclean person, take some of the ashes of the burnt sin offering, put them in a jar, and pour fresh water over them. 18Then a man who is ceremonially clean is to take some hyssop, dip it in the water, and sprinkle the tent, all the furnishings, and the people who were there. He is also to sprinkle the one who touched a bone, a grave, or a person who has died or been slain. 19The man who is ceremonially clean is to sprinkle the unclean person on the third day and on the seventh day. After he purifies the unclean person on the seventh day, the one being cleansed must wash his clothes and bathe in water, and that evening he will be clean.

Cleansing 

“Thus, ashes of the red heifer (which the ingredients all speak of the work of Jesus on our behalf), combined with water (which speaks of the work of the Word of God and the Holy Spirit) combine together to bring cleansing. It can cleanse even the uncleanness brought about by death.” (Guzik)

Hebrews 9: 13For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that their bodies are clean, 14how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself unblemished to God, purify ourg consciences from works of death, so that we may serve the living God!

Have you accepted the blood 🩸 of Christ for your cleansing?

Blessings 

Numbers 19:14-16 Quarantine

 14This is the law when a person dies in a tent: Everyone who enters the tent and everyone already in the tent will be unclean for seven days, 15and any open container without a lid fastened on it is unclean. 

16Anyone in the open field who touches someone who has been killed by the sword or has died of natural causes, or anyone who touches a human bone or a grave, will be unclean for seven days.

Quarantine 

Unclean for seven days because of contact with death, but today with Covid if you were in contact with an infected person we are required to quarantine for fourteen days. 

But what if you die without the blood 🩸 of Jesus forgiving your sins?

Your soul will be quarantined in hell because you are unclean, because you died with sin, without the Savior.

Do you want to be quarantined in hell for eternity or live with Jesus in heaven for eternity?

It’s a simple question.

Blessings 

Just a little Faith Matthew 8:3-26 NLT

 Matthew 8:23-26

Jesus got into the boat and started across the lake with his disciples. Suddenly, a fierce storm struck the lake, with waves breaking into the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him up, shouting, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!”

Jesus responded, “Why are you afraid? You have so little faith!” Then he got up and rebuked the wind and waves, and suddenly there was a great calm.

Jesus didn’t pray for the waves to stop, He spoke directly to them and they obeyed. 

Numbers 19:11-13 Purification

 11Whoever touches any dead body will be unclean for seven days. 12He must purify himself with the water on the third day and on the seventh day; then he will be clean. But if he does not purify himself on the third and seventh days, he will not be clean. 13Anyone who touches a human corpse and fails to purify himself defiles the tabernacle of the LORD. That person must be cut off from Israel. He remains unclean, because the water of purification has not been sprinkled on him, and his uncleanness is still on him.

Purification 

To be unclean was not a sin, it just meant they needed purification. If they refused the purification then they were to be cut off from the nation.

“A wonderful parallel is found in John 13:5-11; if we are “bathed” (purified) by Jesus, we need only to have our feet washed, as they become unclean in the normal practice of life. Yet, if we do not let Jesus “wash” (purify) us, we have no part with Him. We must receive the beautiful once-for-all cleansing (purification) Jesus brings to us when we are born again; yet continually come to Him to be cleansed of the “day-to-day” things.” (Guzik)

“defiles the tabernacle of the LORD”

“These laws were relevant to all in Israel, but especially to priests, who had the potential to defile the tabernacle of the LORD. Under the New Covenant, the Christian also has a special call to purity because we can also defile the dwelling place of God (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).”  (Guzik)

Have you been purified by Jesus?

Blessings 

Numbers 18:30-32 Inheritance

 30Therefore say to the Levites, ‘When you have presented the best part, it will be reckoned to you as the produce of the threshing floor or winepress. 31And you and your households may eat the rest of it anywhere; it is the compensation for your work at the Tent of Meeting. 32Once you have presented the best part of it, you will not incur guilt because of it. But you must not defile the sacred offerings of the Israelites, or else you will die.’ ”

Inheritance 

Don’t let that slip by without attention, the Lord told the Levites after they presented to best part to Him, the rest “will be reckoned to you as the produce of the threshing floor or winepress.”

It was their compensation for their work because they weren’t given an inheritance in land, only an inheritance in the Lord.

Do you have an inheritance?

My inheritance is in Jesus, 

Ephesians 3:6 And this is God’s plan: Both Gentiles and Jews who believe the Good News share equally in the riches inherited by God’s children. Both are part of the same body, and both enjoy the promise of blessings because they belong to Christ Jesus.

Blessings 

Mercy Jude 1:22-23

 Merrimack-Webster defines Mercy as “compassion shown especially to an offender; lenient or compassionate treatment; imprisonment rather than death; a blessing that is an act of divine favor or compassion; a fortunate circumstance; compassionate treatment of those in distress”. 

But I don’t think that even scratches the surface of what Gods mercy is. Gods mercy is an indescribable blessing. It’s Christ dying on the cross for our sins. We deserve condemnation. We live a sin filled life. We deserve eternity separated from God. Yet God made a way for us to spend eternity with Him in Heaven through His Son Jesus Christ. Jesus died a cruel, tortured, humiliating death, the death we deserve. He did that so we wouldn’t have to. That’s mercy. That’s not getting what we deserve. That’s love. If God can show that kind of mercy to us, can’t we show even a portion of that kind of mercy to others? 

Jude 1:22-23

22And you must show mercy to those whose faith is wavering. 23Rescue others by snatching them from the flames of judgment. Show mercy to still others, but do so with great caution, hating the sins that contaminate their lives.

Numbers 18:25-29 Cheerful Giver

 25And the LORD instructed Moses, 26“Speak to the Levites and tell them: ‘When you receive from the Israelites the tithe that I have given you as your inheritance, you must present part of it as an offering to the LORD—a tithe of the tithe. 27Your offering will be reckoned to you as grain from the threshing floor or juice from the winepress. 28So you are to present an offering to the LORD from all the tithes you receive from the Israelites, and from these you are to give the LORD’s offering to Aaron the priest. 29You must present the offering due the LORD from all the best of every gift, the holiest part of it.’

Cheerful Giver

“It was important for the Levites to learn how to be givers also; just because they were supported through the giving of God’s people, it did not mean they didn’t need to give. We all need to learn how to be givers, because God is a giver, and we are being transformed into the image of Jesus.” (Guzik)

2 Corinthians 9: 7Each one should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not out of regret or compulsion. For God loves a cheerful giver.

I admit I’m being tested in this area of a cheerful giver. I’m retired, my wife worked part time for our church and was laid off because the administrator claimed their was an issue with funds but the church freely spends monies in other areas. Then there was the non profit that helps young women with pregnancy whom we faithfully donated to. They used to send monthly updates, then quarterly and now nothing. 

Then there are Christian non profits seem to make a business out of fundraising, once you donate you are flooded with requests for money.

Lord, please make me a cheerful giver again, in Jesus name I pray.

Blessings 

Numbers 18:23-24 Giving

 23The Levites are to perform the work of the Tent of Meeting, and they must bear their iniquity. This is a permanent statute for the generations to come. The Levites will not receive an inheritance among the Israelites. 24For I have given to the Levites as their inheritance the tithe that the Israelites present to the LORD as a contribution. That is why I told them that they would not receive an inheritance among the Israelites.”

Giving 

“Those who are supported through the giving of God’s people should expect that they would not have the best of both worlds; they will not be wealthy in this life, though they should be comfortable. It is wrong for the congregation to keep the pastor “humble” through poverty, and just as wrong for the pastor to be using the gifts of God’s people to live above God’s people.” (Guzik)

Recently we watched a movie “Ragamuffins”, the story about Rich Mullins who was a best selling Christian songwriter known for, "Awesome God" and "Sometimes by Step". 

He used his godly gifts and made millions but didn’t live above Gods people, he instructed his accountant to pay him an average mans salary and gave (donated) the rest to churches and charities.

I openly admit I struggle with giving (tithing) as my income is very limited.

Do you struggle with giving (tithing) also?

Blessings 

Numbers 18:20-22 Inheritance-Portion

 20Then the LORD said to Aaron, “You will have no inheritance in their land, nor will you have any portion among them. I am your portion and your inheritance among the Israelites.

21Behold, I have given to the Levites all the tithes in Israel as an inheritance in return for the work they do, the service of the Tent of Meeting. 22No longer may the Israelites come near to the Tent of Meeting, or they will incur guilt and die.

Inheritance-Portion 

Psalm 16:5 LORD, you alone are my inheritance, my cup of blessing. You guard all that is mine.

When God is our portion, our hope He is our inheritance.

Psalm 73:26 My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

Psalm 142:5 I cry to You, O LORD: “You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living.”

The Lord Jesus is my inheritance, my portion in the land of the living!

Is He yours?

Blessings 

Numbers 18:14-19 Corruption

 14Every devoted thing in Israel belongs to you. 15The firstborn of every womb, whether man or beast, that is offered to the LORD belongs to you. But you must surely redeem every firstborn son and every firstborn male of unclean animals. 16You are to pay the redemption price for a month-old male according to your valuation: five shekels of silver, according to the sanctuary shekel, which is twenty gerahs. 

17But you must not redeem the firstborn of an ox, a sheep, or a goat; they are holy. You are to sprinkle their blood on the altar and burn their fat as an offering made by fire, a pleasing aroma to the LORD. 18And their meat belongs to you, just as the breast and right thigh of the wave offering belong to you.

19All the holy offerings that the Israelites present to the LORD I give to you and to your sons and daughters as a permanent statute. It is a permanent covenant of salt before the LORD for you and your offspring.”

Corruption 

“By which was meant that it was an unchangeable, incorruptible covenant, which would endure as salt makes a thing to endure, so that it is not liable to putrefy or corrupt.” (Spurgeon)

Acts 2:31 Foreseeing this, David spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that He was not abandoned to Hades, nor did His body see decay. (Corruption)

Every living thing on this earth when it dies will decay, that is, see corruption.

Years ago on a Father’s Day I took our son on a day trip, dirt bike riding in the mountains south of Tucson. At midday we stopped for a picnic and after eating I noticed his dog was wandering off with her nose in the air. I figured I better retrieve her because the area had mountain lion. I walked to the top of the hill and immediately I saw something and said oh no, and instinctively turned around. Not believing what I saw I turned around and realized what I found was a deceased illegal alien, he had been there about a month. I wouldn’t let my son see him and when he asked why I told him I needed to protect him. I had to ride to the top of a hill to call authorities. Luckily he had ID on him so he could be returned to his family in MX. 

I believe the Lord directed our paths that day so this man could be returned to his family.

We will all see decay-corruption with the first death (body) unless the rapture happens but the question is, what do you put your faith in to prevent the second death (soul)?

I put my faith in Jesus Christ!

Blessings 

Numbers 18:11-13 Firstfruits

 11And this is yours as well: the offering of their gifts, along with all the wave offerings of the Israelites. I have given this to you and your sons and daughters as a permanent statute. Every ceremonially clean person in your household may eat it. 12I give you all the freshest olive oil and all the finest new wine and grain that the Israelites give to the LORD as their firstfruits. 13The firstfruits of everything in their land that they bring to the LORD will belong to you. Every ceremonially clean person in your household may eat them.

Firstfruits 

The priests were supported by these offerings because their life’s work was devoted to serving the Lord.

James 1: 18He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we would be a kind of firstfruits of His creation.

“It is a universal rule that to whom much is given, of him much will be required—a rule as much under the Gospel as under the law—it is a part of the government of the great house of God. Now, we were begotten by the Word with an end and with a purpose, namely, “that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.”” (C H Spurgeon)

“Just like the sheaf of grain was set apart for the Lord, so are believers set apart for God’s glory.” And… “firstfruits symbolizes God’s harvest of souls” (gotquestions.org)

You can be “set apart for the Lord”, “a kind of firstfruits of his creatures” or you can set apart for Satan, which is it?

Blessings 

https://www.gotquestions.org/firstfruits-offering.html

The Lord is Good!

 

Psalm 100:5 For the LORD is good, and His loving devotion endures forever; His faithfulness continues to all generations.

Psalm 136:1 Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good. His loving devotion endures forever.

1 Chronicles 16:34 Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His loving devotion endures forever.

The Lord is good!

Do you see a reoccurring theme here?

Recently I asked for prayer for my wife because of a work situation. She had been put through hades for five months, targeted for termination and was the subject of retaliation . She was unjustly written up, wasn’t allowed to explain her side of the story and the stress was affecting her health.

Then they got a new manager and she started an investigation.

The Plot

An employee that my wife is responsible for was going out on the floor gossiping and affecting morale, you know the type, sweet and innocent to your face but sticks a knife in your back. Turns out she wanted my wife’s position. There were five people involved including two supervisors and the HR person. SOP’s were violated and the negative write up was removed from my wife’s personnel file. 

The manager apologized to my wife for everything she was subjected to.

 My wife explained to the manager she wanted to move to a different department because she could no longer trust these people and the manager agreed.

Shortly afterwards a posting appeared for that department and today my wife was informed she received the position. 😇

I have been praying for these people to repent and if not, that the Lord turn their words and actions back around on them. I believe He answered the prayers because the Lord is good!

Please keep praying that these people to repent and change their ways.

The Lord is good!

Blessings 

Numbers 18:8-10 Most Holy

 8Then the LORD said to Aaron, “Behold, I have put you in charge of My offerings. As for all the sacred offerings of the Israelites, I have given them to you and your sons as a portion and a permanent statute. 9A portion of the most holy offerings reserved from the fire will be yours. From all the offerings they render to Me as most holy offerings, whether grain offerings or sin offerings or guilt offerings, that part belongs to you and your sons. 10You are to eat it as a most holy offering, and every male may eat it. You shall regard it as holy.

Most holy

What do you consider in your life that is most holy?

Jude 1:20 But you, beloved, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit,

With me it’s my most holy faith and salvation in Jesus Christ! I look forward to church on Wednesday evening, Saturday evening and Sunday morning. Fellowship with Life Group and my Christian friends, sermons and worship. I enjoy these things because the Lord took an evil heart and plucked it from the world and said that I am His!

You too can enjoy these things if you put your heart, mind and soul towards the things of the Lord. Start by reading the Holy Bible. 

If you don’t know where to start I suggest the Book of John.

Make time in the morning when you rise for the Lord even if it’s only several minutes and your day will start to be different because His word, like a seed planted in rich soil will start to take root in you.

Start your and end your day with the Lord and one day someone will say, you’ve changed and a door 🚪 opens to share Jesus.

Blessings 

Numbers 18:7 Holy

 7But only you and your sons shall attend to your priesthood for everything concerning the altar and what is inside the veil, and you are to perform that service. I am giving you the work of the priesthood as a gift, but any outsider who comes near the sanctuary must be put to death.”

Holy

” At its most basic meaning, holy simply means “set apart” or even “different.”

The sanctuary was considered holy, set apart.

“Although the word Bible has become a technical (or semi-technical) term for the Word of God, the term itself just means “book.” There are many books in the world. That is why on the cover or the title page we often see the official title as “Holy Bible.” In other words, there are many bibles (books), but this Book (Bible) is holy; that is, it is different, set apart from all other books, because it is the Word of God.”

Do you read your holy Bible daily?

Blessings 

https://www.gotquestions.org/Most-Holy-Place.html

Receive and Believe Jude 1:20-21

 What are you looking forward to today? An upcoming vacation? Family coming to visit? A get together? What about eternal life? That would involve dying and hopefully you’re not looking forward to death but are you looking forward to your afterlife? If not, why not?

Did you know Christianity is the only religion where you don’t have to earn your way into heaven? Some religions do not believe in an afterlife. One believes Heaven and hell are figurative. A few religions believe in reincarnation. Juche, the official religion of North Korea believes when you die you spend eternity with the Dictator President forever. How exciting is that! And then there’s the 72 virgins……..

But with Christianity, you get to spend eternity with a Savior who gave everything so you could be with Him. No more pain, no more tears and no more struggles. All you have to do is receive the free gift of salvation and believe in God’s one and only Son. Receive and believe, it’s as simple as that. 

So I’ll ask you again, are you looking forward to your afterlife? 

Numbers 18:5-6 Wrath: Extreme Anger

 5And you shall attend to the duties of the sanctuary and of the altar, so that wrath may not fall on the Israelites again. 6Behold, I Myself have selected your fellow Levites from the Israelites as a gift to you, dedicated to the LORD to perform the service for the Tent of Meeting.

Wrath: Extreme anger

Have you ever experienced extreme anger? I have and it’s not pretty. A day will come when the Lord pours out His wrath (extreme anger) on mankind!

Revelation 11:18 The nations were enraged, and Your wrath has come. The time has come to judge the dead and to reward Your servants the prophets, as well as the saints and those who fear Your name, both small and great—and to destroy those who destroy the earth.”

Have you admitted your sin and guilt to the Lord?

How will you rectify yourself to Him so you don’t experience His wrath?

There’s only one way and that’s through His Son Jesus Christ.

If you rely on the Law, the Law will judge you.

Blessings 

Get On A Soapbox! Jude 1:17-19

 I use to watch the daytime soap opera’s. Boy was I addicted. I recorded them on VHS tapes and binge watched on the weekends. The TV station had a number you could call to get an update if you missed an episode and TV Guide always had a synopsis available. This was important stuff! True life lessons could be learned through these shows! (sarcasm)

Now before you laugh at me, what drama series do you binge watch today? Back then I was hooked on General Hospital.

One thing I have learned, there are people that thrive on drama. If life is calm and going well they have to create a crisis because peace isn’t comfortable. Personally I prefer peace.

Jude believed there was a need to remind the first century Christians to beware of ungodly self seeking people. Like wolves in sheep’s clothing they tried to get in with the flock. Once there they set out to cause division, create chaos and ruin lives.

Remember what Jude said, they do not have Gods Spirit in them. They only look out for themselves. They just want to satisfy their ungodly desires. What should we do when we encounter these people?

Jude 1:17-19

17But you, my dear friends, must remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ predicted. 18They told you that in the last times there would be scoffers whose purpose in life is to satisfy their ungodly desires. 19These people are the ones who are creating divisions among you. They follow their natural instincts because they do not have God’s Spirit in them.

Blessings 

Numbers 18:3-4 Duties and Work

 3And they shall attend to your duties and to all the duties of the Tent; but they must not come near to the furnishings of the sanctuary or the altar, or both they and you will die. 4They are to join you and attend to the duties of the Tent of Meeting, doing all the work at the Tent; but no outsider may come near you.

Duties and Work

“The Levites were not allowed to do what the priests did. In the same way, the New Testament says we are all different “parts” of the body, each with particular gifts and callings” (Guzik)

1 Corinthians 12: 4There are different gifts, but the same Spirit. 5There are different ministries, but the same Lord. 6There are different ways of working, but the same God works all things in all people.

All of us are called but only some of us volunteer to perform the duties and work in ministry. An article by Rick Warren stated a Gallop pole that 10 percent of church members were active in ministry, but forty percent would volunteer if given the opportunity and fifty percent wouldn’t volunteer no matter what you do.

Have you ever volunteered for duties and work in ministry within your church?

Blessings 

Numbers 18:1-2 Authority and Accountability

 1So the LORD said to Aaron, “You and your sons and your father’s house must bear the iniquity involving the sanctuary. And you and your sons alone must bear the iniquity involving your priesthood. 2But bring with you also your brothers from the tribe of Levi, the tribe of your father, that they may join you and assist you and your sons before the Tent of the Testimony.

Authority and Accountability 

“God never gives authority without accountability; the two always go together. If God gives someone headship and expects others to submit to them in His order, God also has a special accountability for that person.” (Guzik)

Aaron, his sons and his fathers house were called to be the priests while the tribe of Levi was to assist the priests before the Tent of the Testimony. Levites had a supporting role but it was an important role.

Has the Lord ever put you in a leadership role of a ministry? 

Remember, it’s His ministry because He gives authority and accountability.

The moment you believe it’s your ministry, pride has set in.

Remember, Proverbs 16:18 “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.”

Blessings 

Numbers 17:12-13 Conviction

 12Then the Israelites declared to Moses, “Look, we are perishing! We are lost; we are all lost! 13Anyone who comes near the tabernacle of the LORD will die. Are we all going to perish?”

Conviction 

The Israelites were convinced of their sin, of rebellion against the Lord and the leadership of Arron. After seeing the deaths of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, along with their 250 followers, the plague destroying the 14,700 and the budding of Aaron’s staff they feared they were next!

Conviction of sin comes from the Holy Spirit and a change of heart ❤️ (rebellion) comes from following Jesus. 

How else will they know you are His?

Dear Heavenly Father, please take away our rebellious sinful desires and give us a loving heart like your Son, Jesus. In Jesus name I pray, amen.

Blessings 

Numbers 17:10-11 Order of Melchizedek

 10The LORD said to Moses, “Put Aaron’s staff back in front of the Testimony, to be kept as a sign for the rebellious, so that you may put an end to their grumbling against Me, lest they die.” 11So Moses did as the LORD had commanded him.

“The rod of Aaron was to be kept as a museum piece, to remind the children of Israel that God had chosen a priesthood, and nothing would change that - Aaron’s priesthood would always be Aaron’s priesthood.” (Guzik)

“If God demonstrated His choice of Aaron and his descendants as priests for Israel, how can Jesus be our high priest, as Hebrews 2:17 says? Because Jesus is a high priest of the order of Melchizedek, not Aaron (Hebrews 7).” (Guzik)”

Who is Melchizedek? Study Hebrews 7 to find out.

Hebrews 7: 2and Abraham apportioned to him a tenth of everything. First, his name means “king of righteousness.” Then also, “king of Salem” means “king of peace.” 3Without father or mother or genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, like the Son of God, he remains a priest for all time.

Hebrews 7: 10For when Melchizedek met Abraham, Levi was still in the loin of his ancestor.

Are Melchizedek and Jesus the same person?

I am of those that believe they are.

Do you?

Blessings 

https://www.gotquestions.org/Melchizedek.html

Numbers 17:6-9 Buds, Blossoms and Fruit 🍎

 6So Moses spoke to the Israelites, and each of their leaders gave him a staff—one for each of the leaders of their tribes, twelve staffs in all. And Aaron’s staff was among them. 7Then Moses placed the staffs before the LORD in the Tent of the Testimony. 

8The next day Moses entered the Tent of the Testimony and saw that Aaron’s staff, representing the house of Levi, had sprouted, put forth buds, blossomed, and produced almonds. 9Then Moses brought out all the staffs from the LORD’s presence to all the Israelites. They saw them, and each man took his own staff.

Buds, Blossoms and Fruit

“We are probably to understand that some parts were in bud, other in bloom and others had fruited.” (Wenham)

The Christian is no different than this miracle of the staff, we are called to Christ and when we accept Him we are buds. As we grow in faith we blossom and them we mature and produce fruit 🍎 for His kingdom!

Which stage are you in, buds, blossoms or fruit?

Blessings 

Numbers 17:1-5 Authority

 1And the LORD said to Moses, 2“Speak to the Israelites and take from them twelve staffs, one from the leader of each tribe. Write each man’s name on his staff, 3and write Aaron’s name on the staff of Levi, because there must be one staff for the head of each tribe. 4Place the staffs in the Tent of Meeting in front of the Testimony, where I meet with you. 5The staff belonging to the man I choose will sprout, and I will rid Myself of the constant grumbling of the Israelites against you.”

Authority 

The staff is a picture of authority!

Exodus 14:16 And as for you, lift up your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it, so that the Israelites can go through the sea on dry ground.

The staff is a reminder of the Lord’s authority and the wonders He performed in Egypt to free the Israelites.

The staff, a piece of wood 🪵 from a tree 🌲 is the predecessor of the cross ✝️, the tree 🌳 that Jesus hung on to bring salvation to the world to free us from Satan’s death grip.

Matthew 28: 18Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me.

Do you accept His authority or deny authority like the grumbling Israelites?

Blessings 

Numbers 16:46-50 The Incense, His Intercession.

 46Moses said to Aaron, “Take your censer, place fire from the altar in it, and add incense. Go quickly to the congregation and make atonement for them, because wrath has come out from the LORD; the plague has begun.”

47So Aaron took the censer as Moses had ordered and ran into the midst of the assembly. And seeing that the plague had begun among the people, he offered the incense and made atonement for the people. 48He stood between the living and the dead, and the plague was halted. 49But those who died from the plague numbered 14,700, in addition to those who had died on account of Korah.

50Then Aaron returned to Moses at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting, since the plague had been halted.

The Incense, His Intercession.

“If Aaron the high priest, with his censer and incense, could disarm the wrath of an insulted, angry Deity, so that a guilty people, who deserved nothing but destruction, should be spared; how much more effectual may we expect the great atonement to be which was made by the Lord Jesus Christ, of whom Aaron was only the type! The sacrifices of living animals pointed out the death of Christ on the cross; the incense, his intercession. Through his death salvation is purchased for the world; by his intercession the offending children of men are spared.” (Clarke)

14,700 died before Aaron could light the incense and stood between the living and the dead!

In the same manner. Christ stands between us and hell, the living and the dead.

“Through his death salvation is purchased for the world; by his intercession the offending children of men are spared.” 

Do you accept the incense, his intercession from the cross?

“If sinners be damned, at least let them leap to Hell over our dead bodies. And if they perish, let them perish with our arms wrapped about their knees, imploring them to stay. If Hell must be filled, let it be filled in the teeth of our exertions, and let not one go unwarned and unprayed for.” (C H Spurgeon)

Blessings 

Numbers 16:41-45 Foolish People!

 41The next day the whole congregation of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron, saying, “You have killed the LORD’s people!” 42But when the congregation gathered against them, Moses and Aaron turned toward the Tent of Meeting, and suddenly the cloud covered it and the glory of the LORD appeared. 

43Then Moses and Aaron went to the front of the Tent of Meeting, 44and the LORD said to Moses, 45“Get away from this congregation so that I may consume them in an instant.” And Moses and Aaron fell facedown.

Foolish People!

These foolish people accused Moses of opening up the earth and swallowing 250 people! Only the Lord could do that! 

We’ve all had foolish moments in our life including myself! Like the Israelites in these verses we know the Truth and the Lord, but we easily forget and do something sinful because of our foolishness!

Proverbs 17:28 Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.

What will happen to these foolish people? Stay tuned!

Time for me to shutteth my lips..... 🤔 

Blessings