1 Numbers Chapter 16 2 Last time We looked at Numbers 15:32-41 3 Numbers 15:32 Now while the sons of Israel were in the wilderness, they found a man gathering wood on the sabbath day. Again, remember this incident is just after the people rebelled, and were ready to go back to Egypt... And the reason for the rebellion?... They didn t take God at His Word! 1
4 Numbers 15:33 & 34 33 Those who found him gathering wood brought him to Moses and Aaron and to all the congregation; 34 and they put him in custody because it had not been declared what should be done to him. So they find the man and then Moses and Aaron sought the LORD s direction on what should be done to this man Now, back in Exodus 31:15 God had already said what to do to the one who breaks the Sabbath They were to be put to death So, I think they KNEW he must be put to death, I think they were just waiting on specific instructions as to how it should be done 5 Numbers 15:36 So all the congregation brought him outside the camp and stoned him to death with stones, just as the LORD had commanded Moses. So, after God told them how The whole congregation obeyed the LORD, and stoned him with stones Now, this sounds so harsh But remember, they were warned very clearly They were told to treat the LORD as HOLY And they KNEW the consequence God had given them HIS WORD! 2
6 Numbers 15:36 So all the congregation brought him outside the camp and stoned him to death with stones, just as the LORD had commanded Moses. So, this man was without excuse And, think of what the people would have in their minds after It would make quite an impression And hopefully would be a deterrent to anyone thinking of disobeying God s commands 7 Numbers 15:37-40 37 The LORD also spoke to Moses, saying, 38 "Speak to the sons of Israel, and tell them that they shall make for themselves tassels on the corners of their garments throughout their generations, and that they shall put on the tassel of each corner a cord of blue. S }}}}}}}}}}}}}}} Click to continue reading... 8 39 "It shall be a tassel for you to look at and remember all the commandments of the LORD, so as to do them and not follow after your own heart and your own eyes, after which you played the harlot, 40 so that you may remember to do all My commandments and be holy to your God. So, God gave them another way to remember Himself And to remember that He is Holy And they were to be set apart (Holy) for Him And they were to obey all of His commands So, He gave them this visual reminder And we said that We NEED reminders! How often we forget, or maybe we just don t think about it.. But we need reminders! 3
9 Numbers 15:41 "I am the LORD your God who brought you out from the land of Egypt to be your God; I am the LORD your God." ******* And then in verse 41 of chapter 15 It s interesting here that He repeats Himself Twice He says I am the LORD your God He also says HE is the one who brought them out of Egypt Think of what has happened already 10 Numbers 15:41 "I am the LORD your God who brought you out from the land of Egypt to be your God; I am the LORD your God." *******Back in Exodus 32 while Moses was up on the mountain getting the 10 commandments from God The people made a golden calf to worship The people said; THIS is your God, who brought you up from the land of Egypt! And then when they rebelled after the spies report They wanted to forsake God, and go back to Egypt 4
11 Numbers 15:41 "I am the LORD your God who brought you out from the land of Egypt to be your God; I am the LORD your God." No wonder God repeats Himself! No wonder He reminded them that it was HE who brought them out of Egypt! Again, they needed to be reminded! <Pause> And you know what I need to be reminded too! 12 Numbers 15:41 "I am the LORD your God who brought you out from the land of Egypt to be your God; I am the LORD your God." I need to be reminded that anything I have done...ultimately came from God!!! It was HE who created me in the first place! It was HE who gave me the abilities to do it! And It was HE who gave me the resources needed to do it! <Pause> It ALL came from Him! And I need to always give HIM ALL the glory, honor, and praise! >>>>>>>>> Click for NEW 5
13 Let s read Chapter 16, verses 1-40 S So, these guys who were of the tribe of Levi, and so had a special calling in Israel to serve the LORD, decided that their position was not good enough They wanted to be priests to the LORD just like Aaron and all his sons after him And so, God directed them to all come before Him, and to bring a firepan that was used for offering incense to the LORD, and the LORD would show them who it was that He had chosen 14 Now It seems to me, this would have been a good time to repent and humble themselves before God! But that s not what they did And even worse, Dathan and Abiram the ringleaders to this rebellion, added to their wickedness and refused to even come to the LORD! Obviously, they didn't want to SERVE as priests, they just wanted status for themselves! I think it s pretty clear what was in their hearts here 6
15 And so sure enough, God did show who HE had chosen! First of all the ground opens up and swallows Dathan and Abiram and all their households And then all the other rascals who followed them in the rebellion, God consumed with fire! You know. You d think these guys would have gotten it by now! But they didn t <Pause> 16 It goes to show how rebellious some people can be And if you think of all God has done through His Son to bring people to Himself You would think that everyone who heard about it would humble themselves and turn to Him!... But sadly, that s not the case... 7
17 Matthew 7:13 & 14 13 "Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. 14 "For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it. S Sadly, only a few will repent and take the narrow path! God has provided a way, but many are so stubborn, they refuse to take it! Let that be a warning to us Don t be stubborn about anything! Humble yourselves before God in ALL things! 18 ***** Let s go ahead and read the rest of chapter 16. verses 41-50 S 8
19 Numbers 16:41 But on the next day all the congregation of the sons of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron, saying, "You are the ones who have caused the death of the Lord's people." Can you believe it?!!! The very next day the congregation is rebelling! After they just saw God s judgment the day before! You know, God knew all along the hearts of these people He KNEW they weren't going to follow Him This generation refuses to follow no matter what! He has given them all the proof they need But they still refuse! 20 Numbers 16:41 But on the next day all the congregation of the sons of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron, saying, "You are the ones who have caused the death of the Lord's people." He knows it will be the next generation, the sons and daughters of these who will follow And so, they are the ones who He will give the land! 9
21 Numbers 16:45 & 46 45 Then they fell on their faces. 46 Moses said to Aaron, "Take your censer and put in it fire from the altar, and lay incense on it; then bring it quickly to the congregation and make atonement for them, for wrath has gone forth from the Lord, the plague has begun! ***** But again, don t miss it Moses and Aaron fall on their faces and intercede for the people! >>>>>> S <<<<< Moses and Aaron are getting closer to the heart of God Doesn t this remind you of Jesus?... As He hung there on the cross, and they were still mocking, and ridiculing Him He prayed to the Father 22 Luke 23:34 "Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing." I think wow! What an amazingly patient God! What a compassionate God! And those words don t really say it! 10
23 John 12:32 "And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to Myself." ****** Jesus, speaking of His upcoming death to His disciples said this. God desires ALL to come to Himself! And even though all won t He still offers! >>>>>>>>> END 11