4 Minute Read
Prepare Your Heart
To the best of your ability, get rid of all distractions. Take a few minutes to breathe deeply and quiet yourself in the Lord’s presence. Then, ask the Lord to speak to you in this time. Let Him know that you will listen and make whatever adjustments He will reveal to you.
Read God’s Word
A Verse for Today
Slowly and reflectively read the following verse(s) and listen to what God will say to you through His written Word. Consider writing down any insights He reveals to you.
Numbers 16:20-22 (CSB): “The LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron, ‘Separate yourselves from this community so I may consume them instantly.’ But Moses and Aaron fell facedown and said, ‘God, God who gives breath to all, when one man sins, will you vent your wrath on the whole community?'”
Reflecting on God’s Word
In the verses I have chosen for today, we hear God say that He was prepared to kill the whole Israelite community. This wasn’t the only time He threatened to do such a thing (see verses like Exodus 32:9-10).
Why did God do this? I can think of at least two reasons. First, He seems to have been testing Moses. Would Moses care enough about the people he had been called to lead that he would intercede for them if God threatened to annihilate them? Second, God was demonstrating His righteous indignation. When the Israelites sinned or complained (discontented with God’s will), a holy God couldn’t stand idly by. They had rebelled against Him, and His holiness demanded that they receive the appropriate justice for their actions.
God is still the same today. He has not changed. He hates sin and must punish sinners in His own time and way. He still gets as angry as He did in the Old Testament.
However, one thing has changed. While the Old Testament children of God had the mere mortal Moses to intercede for them, we have Jesus to intercede on our behalf before the Father.
1 John 2:1 (CSB): “My little children, I am writing you these things so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ the righteous one.”
Romans 8:34 (CSB): “Who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is the one who died, but even more, has been raised; he also is at the right hand of God and intercedes for us.”
The Old Testament Israelites had Moses to intercede with God on their behalf. But New Testament believers have someone so much better to intercede for us! We have Jesus!
So, if you are trusting in Jesus to make you right in God’s eyes, then you are legally forgiven of all your sins (past, present, and future). But when you sin, it is still offensive to God in the moment. However, God doesn’t get angry at you like He did with the Old Testament Israelites. Jesus intercedes on our behalf and has brought us into a love relationship with the Father.
Dwell on that thought for a while today. It’ll bless your heart!
Spend Time in Prayer
- Ask God to help you continue to cultivate a love for holiness/obedience and to hate violating His law.
- Ask God to help you rest in Jesus, who intercedes with the Father on your behalf.
- Thank Jesus for the work He continues to do for you because He loves you and desires to show just how wonderful and gracious our God is.
Going Deeper
If you want to dig a little deeper into how Jesus speaks to God on our behalf, consider reading the following GotQuestions article:
“What does it mean that Jesus is our Advocate?”
Sharing
If this post has been helpful to you or if you think it could help others, please consider tapping one of the social media buttons below to share it on your favorite platform.
____________________
Matt Ellis is the pastor of First Baptist Church in Polk City, Florida (fbcpolkcity.com)
Matt’s Musings 