Today’s Reading: Numbers 16–17; Psalm 106

“I am giving you the priesthood as your special privilege of service.” – Numbers 18:7b

Just like Miriam, another person thought more of himself than he should. Korah from the tribe of Levi, along with Dathan, Abiram and On, incited a rebellion out of jealousy; they were jealous of Moses’ leadership and jealous of Aaron’s elite position as priest.

They united against Moses and Aaron and said, “You have gone too far! The whole community of Israel has been set apart by the Lord, and he is with all of us. What right do you have to act as though you are greater than the rest of the Lord’s people?” – Numbers 16:3

As a Levite, Korah had been given a special ministry, but it was Aaron and his sons who were made priests. Korah became discontent with what God had blessed him with and coveted the priesthood. But we cannot demand anything from the Lord. A calling is a privilege to receive, not a right to demand nor a position to covet.

DOES YOUR CALLING SEEM INSIGNIFICANT?

“Does it seem insignificant to you that the God of Israel has chosen you from among all the community of Israel to be near him so you can serve in the Lord’s Tabernacle and stand before the people to minister to them? Korah, he had already given this special ministry to you and your fellow Levites. Are you now demanding the priesthood as well?” – Numbers 16:10

Moses told Korah and all of his followers to come the next day with their incense burners filled with incense. They stood with Moses and Aaron at the entrance of the tabernacle. All the Israelites gathered around to watch, as the glorious presence of the Lord appeared. Moses and Aaron fell face down on the ground and pleaded for God’s people. The Lord commanded everyone to step away from the tents of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram.

The people in the camp were jealous of Moses
and envious of Aaron, the Lord’s holy priest.
Because of this, the earth opened up;
it swallowed Dathan
and buried Abiram and the other rebels.
Fire fell upon their followers;
a flame consumed the wicked. – Psalm 106:16-18

For their selfishness and pride, these three men received the wrath of God. For the first time ever, the earth opened up and swallowed the tents of these rebellious men, taking all of their families down into the grave alive. The other 250 men who had willfully entered into the rebellion were still standing there with their incense burners, the evidence of their sinfulness in their hands. Fire blazed forth from the Lord and burned up each man (Numbers 16:31-35). The incense burners were gathered and hammered into a thin sheet of bronze to cover the altar as a reminder of what happened to those who demanded a place of ministry without a calling from God.

IS THERE EVIDENCE OF GOD’S CALLING ON YOUR LIFE?

The Lord gave Moses instructions to gather a staff from each leader of Israel’s 12 tribes, with the leader’s name inscribed on the staff. Each staff was placed in the Tabernacle in front of the Ark, and God said sprouts would grow on the staff of the man chosen by God. When Moses went back to the Tabernacle the next day, Aaron’s staff had not only sprouted, it had budded, blossomed, and was producing ripe almonds (Numbers 17:1-8).

When God calls us into leadership, He takes the staff we have been given to lead with and He makes something beautiful grow from our obedience. When we remain humble, recognizing the source of the growth, God can take our leadership beyond our wildest imagination. He can take our calling and make it sprout, blossom and produce fruit.

So do I tend to be more like Korah or Aaron? Do I allow jealousy to creep into my heart or do I find myself allowing the game of comparison to steal my joy? I pray that I humbly accept the leadership of others whom God has called. When it is my turn — when God calls me to do something significant for Him — I pray my humble spirit and faith in Him will allow God to take my life and make something sprout, blossom and produce fruit for His glory!

But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence. They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that REACH deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit. – Jeremiah 17:7-8

Praise the Lord!
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good!
His faithful love endures forever.
Who can list the glorious miracles of the Lord?
Who can ever praise him enough?
There is joy for those who deal justly with others
and always do what is right.
Remember me, Lord, when you show favor to your people;
come near and rescue me.
Let me share in the prosperity of your chosen ones.
Let me rejoice in the joy of your people;
let me praise you with those who are your heritage. – Psalm 106:1-5