How To Avoid Being Swallowed Whole

Today’s Bible readings are Numbers 16:41-18:32, Mark 16:1-20, Psalm 55:1-23, & Proverbs 11:7

Numbers 16:43-46

⁴³ Moses and Aaron came and stood in front of the Tabernacle, ⁴⁴ and the Lord said to Moses, ⁴⁵ “Get away from all these people so that I can instantly destroy them!” But Moses and Aaron fell face down on the ground.

⁴⁶ And Moses said to Aaron, “Quick, take an incense burner and place burning coals on it from the altar. Lay incense on it, and carry it out among the people to purify them and make them right with the Lord. The Lord’s anger is blazing against them—the plague has already begun.”

This has got to be one of the most bizarre events in the bible. As I read this story I sense the fear of the Lord come upon me. God is truly a Holy & Awesome God. God took this personal when the people began to form a coup against Moses & Aaron. In fact, Moses was prophesying when he said, “It isn’t Aaron that you are rebelling against it. It is God you are rebelling against.”

So many people have no clue when it comes to submission to authority, especially GOD-APPOINTED authority. In this story we see that it brought destruction upon the people.

It is so easy to get wrapped up in the church drama. There is always somebody who is unhappy. There will always be a few who think they can do everything better than the way it is being done. There are some who think that their calling is to be a critic toward everybody else’s. The problem is that they are often influencers. They use their influence to gather as many to their side as possible. I want to give you a word of caution—AVOID FRIENDSHIPS WITH SUCH PEOPLE.  There are several reasons why you should stay clear of people like this. I want to share a few with you in hopes that it will motivate you to guard your heart in this area.

1.      It will bring destruction into your life.

When the ground opened up & swallowed these few men, it also was going to swallow any that was near. Those who had chosen the side of the rebellious were going to share in the consequences of the rebellious. I’m sure that they never realized it would cost them so much, but it did.

2.      You will lose all joy; & quick.

Joy is a fruit of the Spirit. When we are in rebellion toward God, & His designated leaders, we are not in the Spirit but in the flesh. If we continue to sow to the flesh & it’s desires we will reap destruction.

Galatians 6:8

⁸ Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.

It is not God punishing us. It is the harvest of sowing in the wrong field. The sinful nature ALWAYS produces death. The Spirit ALWAYS produces life. The choice is ours.

3.      It sets you against God.

Remember, God takes it personal when we rebel against His leaders. It is really rebellion against Him.

Romans 13:2

² Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.

So what is the answer? Simple, the answer is Jesus! Moses told Aaron to take some of the coals off the altar & carry it to purify the people. What a picture of what The Holy Spirit does in us. Jesus has poured out His Spirit on all flesh. He baptizes us with the Holy Spirit & fire. That fire that burns in us will purify us from all rebellion as we remain in the Vine.

I want to challenge you today to train your ear to listen to the Holy Spirit instead of the people who are loudest around you. The Spirit is in you. He is there to guide & direct your life. Following Him is the BEST way. If you listen to Him, He will steer you clear from those few who would try to pull you into negative attitudes & thinking.

Take the position of Moses & Aaron & pray for those who are in rebellion. God loves them & wants them to surrender. Cry out for them. Your prayers could be the thing that saves them & turns them around.

Pastor Richard Schlotter