Numbers 15 – 22

People seem to have a need to follow other mortals. That inclination often causes folks to take their focus off of God (assuming, of course, it was on Him in the first place) and divert focus onto people. Complicating this is the pattern God uses of choosing mortals to speak for Him as He speaks through them. As we see in scripture this becomes a toxic mixture for less-than-spiritual people.

When God chooses people for special tasks, it often causes arrogance to blossom in the heart and mind of the one chosen. I think we see it most often in those God appointed as kings over Israel, since power tends to inflate the ego. Moses was merely a messenger, and he knew his shortcomings. He did not see himself as able to carry out the task and repeatedly voiced that uncertainty to God. Still, God equipped Moses and gave him Aaron to speak for him. He was placed over the people as the intermediary between them and God. Likewise, the people were commanded by God to seek the judgments of Moses for all of the issues they faced. Moses often interceded when God was angry with the people. Following the death of his sister as the people came into the Wilderness of Zin, Moses seemed to change. When they complained about water, Moses’ words implied that it was HE who would give it to them. When God told him to speak to the rock, Moses chose, instead, to strike the rock. The water still flowed, but Moses was punished by being forbidden to lead the people into the land of promise.

Other times, when God chooses people for special tasks, it causes resentment on the part of those not chosen. During the trek out of Egypt, both Aaron his brother and Miriam his sister had their moments of rebellion against Moses. It was a Levite named Korah who took it to a rebellious extreme and we see the wrath of God on full display. He accused the one God chose of self-exaltation. While many people are truly guilty of this charge, Moses was not. When God establishes an “office” (deliverer, prophet, priest, etc.), the one chosen for the office must humbly represent God. God made it clear in His punishment of Korah and his rebels that usurping or defying the authority God has placed in chosen people is usurping or denying the authority of God Himself. In the end, God made it abundantly clear that He spoke through Moses, not Korah or anyone else. With the miracle of the Aaron’s rod that budded, God made it clear who His priests were to be.

Amazingly, the people did not learn. When Aaron died and the High Priesthood passed to his successor, God was still with them. He gave them victory over the Canaanite king. As they moved around Edom (the descendants of Esau), they once again grumbled. They not only took their eyes off of God, they despised His provision. The miracle of manna became “this worthless food”. Their deliverance was now a curse to them. Their eyes were clearly focused on their perceived problems. They were looking down. So one the ground came venomous snakes and people began dying in droves. When the people looked to Moses, Moses looked to God. God chose not to take away the snakes – He chose instead to provide the cure. Obediently, Moses made a bronze serpent and lifted it in the middle of the camp. When an Israelite was bitten and looked up at the bronze serpent he would live. The answer is always to look up.

Jesus alluded to the bronze serpent saying it was He who must be “lifted up”. Like the snake bitten Israelites, God does not take away sin, but rather, He provides the cure in Jesus Christ. When we rebel against the teachings of God, we aren’t rebelling against the writers of scripture, or a preacher, an Elder, or a parent. We are rebelling against God. Instead of looking up to Him, we look down at self and our circumstances.

The solution is always to look up.

Consider His nature. Consider His ways. Strive to love Him more!