Old Testament reading: Numbers 15-16
Numbers 16 is the well known account sometimes called “Korah’s rebellion.” Most people are familiar with the middle of this event (the earth opening up and “swallowing” the people) rather than the beginning and end, but there are intriguing lessons to be learned from the entirety of the account. First, some people are just not satisfied to serve in the capacity our Lord gave them. Korah and sycophants erroneously thought that strength lay in numbers and reputation as opposed to truth (vv 1-2). Moreover, they spoke with hubris against God’s man Moses (v 3). Finally, like many malcontents today, they misrepresented Moses and history itself (vv 13-14). Moses’ response of humility (v 4) and his attempt to get them to appreciate their God-given role (vv 9-11) are worthy of note and imitation. Moses’ challenge to let God decide the matter is reminiscent of Elijah and the prophets of Baal in 2 Kings 18. God makes His choice in the sight of the nation. In so doing, He confirmed Moses’ declaration that their rebellion is not against him, but against God (vv 29-30). But to me, the most disgusting aspect of this whole affair was the response of the people, who accused Moses of “killing the people of the Lord” (v 41). God wasn’t too thrilled with it either, as He sent a plague that killed 14,700.
New Testament reading: Acts 17-19
If it’s true it isn’t new, and if it’s new it isn’t true. This was a well used phrase by my late preaching friend Johnny Ramsey. He usually followed it with, “Let’s go forward back to the Bible.” Dr. Luke’s account finds Paul in Athens In Acts 17. In Athens there is an initial clamor to hear Paul’s “new doctrine” for that very reason – it was new (Acts 17:18-21). However, when Paul’s message turned to the resurrection of the dead, most became immediately disinterested (v 32). We can still give thanks for those good and honest hearts who believed. American society is much like that of Athens in that day. As Athens was full of idols, so also is our culture, although our idols take on a different form. We worship sports, youth, beauty, wealth, influence and power. The greatest idol of all is the god of self. We also mimic Athens with our cultural disregard for our historical moorings and eternal truth. This is a recipe for national disaster.
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