Scripture: Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, “Tell Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest to take up the censers out of the blaze. Then scatter the fire far and wide, for they have become holy. As for the censers of these men who have sinned at the cost of their lives, let them be made into hammered plates as a covering for the altar, for they offered them before the LORD, and they became holy. Thus they shall be a sign to the people of Israel.” So Eleazar the priest took the bronze censers, which those who were burned had offered, and they were hammered out as a covering for the altar, to be a reminder to the people of Israel, so that no outsider, who is not of the descendants of Aaron, should draw near to burn incense before the LORD, lest he become like Korah and his company—as the LORD said to him through Moses.
But on the next day all the congregation of the people of Israel grumbled against Moses and against Aaron, saying, “You have killed the people of the LORD.” And when the congregation had assembled against Moses and against Aaron, they turned toward the tent of meeting. And behold, the cloud covered it, and the glory of the LORD appeared. And Moses and Aaron came to the front of the tent of meeting, and the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, “Get away from the midst of this congregation, that I may consume them in a moment.” And they fell on their faces. And Moses said to Aaron, “Take your censer, and put fire on it from off the altar and lay incense on it and carry it quickly to the congregation and make atonement for them, for wrath has gone out from the LORD; the plague has begun.” So Aaron took it as Moses said and ran into the midst of the assembly. And behold, the plague had already begun among the people. And he put on the incense and made atonement for the people. And he stood between the dead and the living, and the plague was stopped. Now those who died in the plague were 14,700, besides those who died in the affair of Korah. And Aaron returned to Moses at the entrance of the tent of meeting, when the plague was stopped.
Numbers 16:36-50 ESV
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Observation: Recapping yesterday’s Daily Focus, Korah leads a rebellion against Moses and Aaron, lodging false accusations. Moses has heard enough and instructs Korah to return the next day with his entourage and their censers to the tent of meeting. They agree and encounter the glory of the Lord. Meanwhile, God threatens to destroy all the people but relents when Moses pleads to spare the innocent. So, the Lord instructs Moses to advise the rest of the people to stay away from the dwellings of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram. Moses relays God’s instructions and adds that if he speaks for God, the ground will swallow the guilty and all their belongings. On the heels of Moses’ pronouncement, the earth splits apart and consumes Korah, fellow instigators, and their families and possessions. Horrified, the rest of Israel scatters as God’s fire consumes the 250 Levites who offered illegal fire in censers.
Today’s passage presents the aftermath of Korah’s rebellion. Yahweh instructs Moses to tell Eleazar to:
- Collect the censors from the bodies of the charred Levites.
- Scatter the fire from the censors far and wide.
- Hammer the censors into plates.
- Cover the altar with the plates.
Even though the 250 men offered illegal fire, the fire and censors are now holy since they used them to offer incense to the Lord. Also, the new altar cover will remind Israel that anyone not a descendant of Aaron must not approach the altar to burn incense lest they face a similar fate. So, Eleazar does as told. Nevertheless, the next day, the people approach the tent of meeting and again grumble against Moses and Aaron, blaming them for the deaths of fellow Israelites. Consequently, Yahweh appears to Moses and Aaron in the cloud cover and threatens to destroy these recalcitrant people. Grieved, the two fall prostrate before Yahweh. Moses then directs Aaron to:
- Hurriedly take your censor, light its incense, and take it among the congregation.
- Make atonement for the people to appease Yahweh’s wrath and end the rapid spread of the plague.
Aaron, following orders, stands between the dead and the living and waves the censor to make atonement. Thus, Aaron’s speedy intervention spurs Yahweh to stop the plague, but 14,700 have already died.
Takeaway: We might ask, would not the explosive fire that ravaged the bodies of 250 men sufficiently warn Israel not to presume that God’s laws are open to their revision? Consider that a year earlier, Nadab and Abihu (likely consumed with alcohol) offered unauthorized fire at the altar. Similarly, fire spewed from the altar and consumed them (Leviticus 10:1-2, 9). And consider how many times God’s rebellious people sparked God’s wrath since the Exodus and in the centuries to come when they whored after pagan gods with their licentious worship that would lead to exile from their holy space (the Promised Land). Indeed, Israel needed a permanent sign to remind them not to presume upon their Lord’s holiness by cavalierly trespassing into unauthorized sacred spaces. That sign would come thirteen centuries later, but most of Israel would reject their Messiah, who, being fully authorized to enter the Holy of Holies, brought full and intimate access to their holy God.
This story also sends a clear message that God’s people do not make things holy, but God receives their offerings to him as holy. Thus, even those whose hearts are in the wrong place can present gifts to God that he sanctifies. This point is essential to understanding the efficacy of God’s Word and his sacraments of baptism and holy communion. No matter what moral failings come to light with those who preach the word and celebrate the sacraments, we can rest assured the word of God does not come back void (Isaiah 55:11), that Christ is present with us when we sup from his table with thankful hearts, and that our baptism is one and done when we receive it by faith.
Our takeaway? Like Israel, we need permanent signs to remind us that while our sins are many, God’s mercy is more. As followers of Jesus, it begins with the indelible sign of Christ’s cross. As we picture it in our reflections, it tells us the extent of the Father and Son’s unconditional, sacrificial love for us. And as we gaze more intently, it reminds us of how desperately we need a Savior to rescue us from our trespasses. Still, just as the altar plates warned unauthorized Israelites to stop and turn away, we need tangible reminders beyond Christ’s cross to warn us to turn away. And like Israel, our best warning signs are repurposed from our failures.
Our part? If pornography, an unhealthy diet, doom-scrolling, or anger (to name a few) get the best of us, we must cover them with warning signs. Here are a few suggestions above and beyond counseling and support communities:
- Computer and phone wallpapers of our loved ones or other poignant reminders that our actions impact the people we love
- Encouraging Scripture on our fridge or pantry door that points us to spiritual food that satiates our deepest hunger
- Scripture warnings regarding unchecked anger and the power of the tongue
And if we feel creative, repurpose symbols of our failures into something beautiful that shows us what we are becoming in Christ.
Prayer: Father God, we thank you for your Son, whose life, death, and resurrection assured us free access to you. And we thank you for your Holy Spirit, who takes us through a lifetime sanctification process to prepare us for eternal joy and glory with you. Still, in this world marred by sin, we struggle to resist trespassing where we do not belong. So, please help us heed your Holy Spirit’s warning signs and fix eyes on our supreme marquee of hope: your Son, the perfect of our faith who, for the joy set before him, endured his cross and now sits enthroned in your heavenly realm (Hebrews 12:2) interceding for us (Romans 8:34). Amen.
Rev. Gordon Green, M.Div., M.A. Counseling