STAND BETWEEN THE DEAD AND THE LIVING
Numbers 16:42-50 “And it came to pass, when the congregation was gathered against Moses and against Aaron, that they looked toward the tabernacle of the congregation: and, behold, the cloud covered it, and the glory of the LORD appeared. And Moses and Aaron came before the tabernacle of the congregation. And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Get you up from among this congregation, that I may consume them as in a moment. And they fell upon their faces. And Moses said unto Aaron, Take a censer, and put fire therein from off the altar, and put on incense, and go quickly unto the congregation, and make an atonement for them: for there is wrath gone out from the LORD; the plague is begun. And Aaron took as Moses commanded, and ran into the midst of the congregation; and, behold, the plague was begun among the people: and he put on incense, and made an atonement for the people. And he stood between the dead and the living; and the plague was stayed. Now they that died in the plague were fourteen thousand and seven hundred, beside them that died about the matter of Korah. And Aaron returned unto Moses unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation: and the plague was stayed.”
Over fourteen thousand of the children of Israel have died from a plague that God sent. What had they done that was so bad God was ready to wipe them out? Well, they had continued to murmur but now they have tried to take matters into their own hands by removing their God ordained authority. God’s wrath was hot against this rebellious people and multiple times in this chapter God threatens to destroy them all. However, there was someone willing to stand between the wrath of God and this rebellious people. Moses urgently commands Aaron and he runs into the middle of the congregation holding a pot of incense from the altar to make an atonement. God’s wrath was quenched because someone was willing to stand in the gap and save their lives.
With the holiday season upon us and many of us spending time with unsaved loved ones, the example of Moses and Aaron in this passage can teach us some important lessons.
1. BE FAITHFUL
It seems that many of the children of Israel quickly forgot the blessings of God and the future that was in store for them, but Moses didn’t. He remained faithful to the Lord through these difficulties. He wasn’t perfect but He knew that from the time he was born and placed in a basket, God had a purpose and a plan.
The same is true for you my friend. The devil would love nothing more than to blind you to the blessings of God and make you unhappy with everything. However, if you’ll just take a moment to recognize how much God has done for you and the plans He has for you, then you can’t help but remain faithful to Him. No matter how difficult things get for you, remember that God knew you before you were born, He loved you enough give His Son for you and He deserves your faithfulness.
God may very well use your faithfulness to stand in the gap for someone else. Your commitment to God’s Word, prayer, church, giving, serving and witnessing is a matter of life and death. There is not a doubt in my mind that if you will stay faithful to the Lord, He will accomplish things in you and through you that will make a difference for eternity.
Galatians 6:9 "And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not."
2. BE FORGIVING
Moses was accused, ridiculed and betrayed many times yet here in this passage we see him standing up for these people. That doesn’t happen when we hold grudges and harbor bitterness. I’m not saying that Moses never let things get to him. In fact, in the end, Moses would let his frustration with them lead to disobeying God and missing out on the promised land. However, in this chapter we find Moses forgiving and helping those that had wronged him.
What about you? Are there people that you haven’t forgiven? Has someone mistreated you and you just can’t seem to get over your bitterness? We need to remember that we aren’t at war with people, we are at war with the devil. Sometimes we let our bitterness cripple us and no matter how much we try to do something for the Lord it never works out because we can’t forgive.
Ephesians 6:12 "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."
1 Peter 2:23 "Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously."
3. BE FRIENDLY
Did you notice the urgency Moses and Aaron had to help? Moses told Aaron to “go quickly” and then Aaron “ran” to make an atonement for the people. They weren’t avoiding the situation or making excuses. Instead they did everything they possibly could to be a friend even if these people weren’t friendly to them.
How often do we find a reason not to be a true friend to those in need. Many times we give token friendship that doesn’t really cost us much but if we are going to make a difference in the lives of people, we are going to have to act with urgency, do everything we can and sacrifice for others. That is the uncondicitonal love that was showed to us by Christ on the Cross.
I hope you will spend time with the Lord and ask for His help to make a difference in the lives of people that God has placed in your life. It is a great responsibility that God has given us to stand in the gap. It’s serious business. BE FAITHFUL, BE FORGIVING and BE FRIENDLY and let’s STAND BETWEEN THE DEAD AND THE LIVING!
