Readings for today: Numbers 15:17-16:40, Mark 15, Psalms 54, Proverbs 11:5-6
Today’s reading strikes a chord every time I come across it. “They assembled themselves together against Moses and against Aaron and said to them, "You have gone too far! For all in the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the Lord is among them. Why then do you exalt yourselves above the assembly of the Lord?" (Numbers 16:3) I resonate with the sons of Korah. I tend to agree with their complaint. I too want to believe that every single human being is equal in the eyes of the Lord and worthy of serving in His presence. I’ve been raised in a democracy after all and trained from birth to believe one can achieve anything if they just set their minds to it.
This is part of what makes the Bible so challenging. There is a significant cultural gap between the ancient near east culture of Israel and the 21st century United States. Israel was no democracy. God Himself was her king. As such, He held the power of life and death in His hands. He decided who got to serve and what role they would play. Moses was God’s appointed leader. Aaron was God’s appointed priest. The rest of the Levites each had their appointed role as well. But it was clear they were not satisfied. They too aspired to the priesthood. They too aspired to lead.
Theologian Sally McFague has persuasively argued that sin is the refusal to accept our place. From the very beginning, the reach of human beings has always exceeded their grasp. Adam and Eve were not content with their role in the Garden of Eden so they ate the fruit in order to become like God. The people who built the Tower of Babel sought to make a name for themselves on the earth. The pagan nations of the earth created their own gods who they could manipulate and control. This has always been the case with human beings and Israel is no different. The families of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram all wanted more so they rebelled against God’s ordained leadership and suffered the consequences. Their supernatural death served as a stark warning to all of Israel of the cost of rebelling against God.
It’s a scary story. It’s not one we read our children at bedtime. But it is worth pondering and praying over. Our sinful hearts are naturally wired to rebel against God. We are naturally inclined towards sin and evil. We naturally refuse to accept our place in God’s created order. Jesus shows us a different way. He shows us the path of true obedience as He accepts His Father’s will and submits to death on a cross. It’s a beautiful picture of faithfulness that results in the salvation of all who believe.
Salvation comes to those who submit their lives to Christ. To those who accept His Lordship over their lives. The Kingdom of God is not a democracy. Jesus is indeed enthroned on the praises of His people but He does not maintain His Lordship by popular vote. He is the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords and one day every knee will bow and every tongue confess - whether they want to or not - that He is Lord to the glory of God the Father.
Readings for tomorrow: Numbers 16:41-18:32, Mark 16, Psalms 55, Proverbs 11:7