Verse of the day: Numbers 16:47-48 Then Aaron took it as Moses commanded, and ran into the midst of the assembly; and already the plague had begun among the people. So he put in the incense and made atonement for the people. 48 And he stood between the dead and the living; so the plague was stopped.
What a wonderful example of the power of prayer and forgiveness. Even after God had shown His displeasure with Korah’s, and his followers’, rebellion, the people still continued to rebel against Him, Moses, and Aaron (v. 41-43). They had just seen God cause the earth to swallow these rebels alive; yet, they continued to complain and seek the lives of Moses and Aaron. God’s response to their stubbornness was swift, as a plague immediately went out against them (v. 46). What I would like us to note in this account is what Moses’ and Aaron’s response was to this rebellious people. Their immediate reaction was not to try to talk them down, or defend themselves, but to run to God (v. 43). Psalm 27:5 tells us, “For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion; in the secret place of His tabernacle He shall hide me; He shall set me high upon a rock.” Psalm 31:20 also tells us, “You shall hide them in the secret place of Your presence from the plots of man; You shall keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues.” The safest place we can run to when other come against us, and plot against us, is into the presence of God, under His protective wings (Psalm 91:4). Amazingly, Moses and Aaron do not run to God to stand by and see the people destroyed, although they would be completely justified if they had. Instead, they go before an angry God to intercede for those who falsely accused them and sought their lives. The censer and incense is a picture of prayer. Psalm 141:2 tells us, “Let my prayer be set before You as incense, the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.” As God’s priest, the people’s representative before God, Aaron took the censer with the incense and ran into the midst of the people, between the dead and the living. First, it showed the confidence that Aaron had in his relationship with the LORD. To put himself in such a position was to risk death. What greater act of love and forgiveness can one perform than to put himself/herself in a position to suffer death for those who falsely accused us and seek to kill us? Does this remind us of another event in history where this act was repeated? Yes. Jesus, the perfect Son of God, although falsely accused, brutally beaten, and crucified, for a world who deserved eternal condemnation, allowed His life to be taken for the forgiveness our sins (2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 John 2:2). Aaron stood as an advocate, interceding on behalf of an unworthy people, in order that the rest, who were still alive, be spared from the plague. Today, there is a plague called sin that is consuming the human race. However, there is One who stands ready to intercede on behalf of those who do not yet know Him, if they will put their trust in Him, and call on Him. He also stands ready to hear from, and answer, those of us who are His, who will pray with this kind of urgency for our family, friends, and people we know, who do not yet have a personal relationship with Him. His Name is Jesus. I must ask…when was the last time that any of us earnestly prayed for the salvation of another? When was the last time that we prayed for, and interceded on behalf of, someone who has mistreated or harmed us in some way? Do we pray for those who seek to harm our reputation? Are we not called to be Christ’s ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:20)? Did not Jesus tell us to love and pray for our enemies, just as Moses and Aaron did here (Matthew 5:44)? Have we forgotten that we are to forgive as God forgave us for Christ’s sake (Ephesians 4:32)? As God’s children, let us give praise and thanks to God for the forgiveness and salvation we have in Jesus; and let us put all else aside and be diligent about praying for those who are lost. Let us not forget to pray for those who oppose us and seek to harm us because of who we are in Christ, and for those who stand as our enemies. Prayer and forgiveness are not optional for us, the born again believer, it is our duty (Luke 17:10) and the least we can do in demonstrating our love for Jesus (John 14:15).
Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His gift of salvation (Rom 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive Him and His gift of salvation today (Rom 10:13).
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