Numbers 16 Devotional

The Priest Who Ran

“He stood between the living and the dead, and the plague was halted.”Numbers 16:48 (BSB)

Korah and his allies accuse Moses and Aaron of setting themselves over everyone else (16:3). Moses asks whether serving near God's tabernacle is not honor enough for these Levites, who now want the priesthood too (16:9-10). The ground opens and swallows the rebels with their households, and fire burns up the 250 who brought incense (16:32-35). Jude names Korah's rebellion as a warning (Jude 11).

The next day the whole congregation blames Moses and Aaron for killing the LORD's people, and a plague breaks out (16:41, 46). Then Aaron takes his censer and runs into the middle of the assembly. He takes his place between those already dead and those still alive, makes atonement, and the plague stops (16:47-48). The rebels grasped at a priesthood. The priest God chose ran to save them. Hebrews says Jesus lives forever to pray for those who approach God through him (Hebrews 7:25). You do not need to grasp for standing before God. It rests on a priest who intercedes for you.

To think about: Where are you grasping for position or recognition, and how does Christ's intercession for you free you from it?