この箇所の日本語訳はまだありません。英語の原文を表示しています。
Devotion 1 of 2: Num 15
The first 21 verses of this chapter deals with the laws of grain and drink offerings. In the last 5 verses instructions about the heave offering are found. The name of the offering suggests it was thrown up or lifted up as a sign that it was for the Lord. A cake given as a heave offering was made of the first of the ground meal. So it was like a tithe, the 1st tenth of our income, which we give to the Lord. Let’s give our tithe heave offerings to God with joy and thanksgiving for what he has given to us!
この箇所の日本語訳はまだありません。英語の原文を表示しています。
Devotion 2 of 2: Num 16
We see the story of the rebellion of Korah, Dathan and Abiram in this chapter. Previously, in Lev 10, we saw the priests Nadab and Abihu offer profane fire in their censers. This caused fire from the Lord to strike them, and they died.
In Korah, Dathan and Abiram’s case, they accused Moses and Aaron of exalting themselves too much, and influenced 250 leaders to side with them (v.1-3). God judged them by opening the earth and swallowing them and their families alive (v.31-33). He also sent fire and consumed the 250 leaders who had joined the rebellion (v.35).
This should have caused Israel to respect Moses and Aaron as God’s chosen leaders, but the next day they accused the 2 of killing the 3 families and 250 leaders (v.41)! This caused a plague to erupt among the people, killing 14,700, which Aaron stopped only by taking a censer with fire from the altar and standing courageously against the plague (v.46-49)!
This story shows how criticism and rebellion against God and leadership who are walking in God’s will are serious sins and can cause spiritual death in the church. This also shows the responsibility of leadership to always intercede for and help God’s people, no matter their attitude. Let’s humbly learn from this tragedy in Israel’s history.
— Pastor Elmer Inafuku