In Numbers 16, we read about some men who rebelled against Moses and Aaron. They were angry and envious of Moses and Aaron’s position among the congregation of Israel. Also, they assumed that Moses and Aaron were making themselves out to be more holy than the rest of Israel. Along with that, these rebels wanted to be recognized as great men, also. However, instead of humbly going to the Lord about their thoughts, they grumbled and rebelled.
Those rebellious men obviously didn’t understand that Moses and Aaron didn’t set themselves up in their leadership positions. That was a work of God. They also didn’t realize that by grumbling and rebelling against Moses and Aaron, they were actually rebelling against God Himself. Numbers 16:11 says, “Therefore it is against the Lord that you and all your company have gathered together. What is Aaron that you grumble against him?”
Let’s Not Grumble
When we grumble against our peers and immediate authorities, we are, in fact, grumbling against the Lord. God calls us to different things. He doesn’t want us to be the same. We are all different parts of the same Body (1 Corinthians 12:12). Because of this, we should remember who God says we are. We always need to meditate on our identity in Christ.
We are told in 1 Peter 2:9 (ESV) that we are “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that we may proclaim the excellencies of him who called us out of darkness into his marvelous light.” Did you catch that? As a Christian, you unquestionably have what the rebels in Numbers 16 wanted — a Royal Priesthood (that only God can give). He freely gives us His royal inheritance and a relationship with Him.
We shouldn’t grumble for not having the worldly positions and possessions others have. Instead, we need to thank God that we are His chosen race, His royal priesthood, His holy nation, and His possession.
Let’s forever remember this and “proclaim the excellencies of Him who called us out of darkness into His marvelous light.”
Chosen,
Posted in A Word from the Pastor