Numbers

Numbers 16: God chooses the way of mercy

Begin in prayer

Before hearing how rebellion brought judgment and a priest ran to plead for the people, let us bow before God. Ask Him to humble our hearts and show us our need of His chosen Savior.

The earth opened and swallowed up Dathan, and covered the company of Abiram.

Psalm 106:17

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Show us the danger of proud rebellion, and lead us to Jesus, the Priest You have given to save His people. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

Korah and other leaders challenge Moses and Aaron, demanding a place God has not given them. Moses calls them to bring incense before the Lord, who will show whom He has chosen. The earth swallows the rebels and their households, and God’s fire consumes the men who offer incense. Their bronze censers become a covering for the altar, warning others against taking the priesthood. The next day the people blame Moses and Aaron, and God sends a plague. Aaron runs among them with incense and makes atonement, standing between the dead and the living until the plague stops.

As you read Numbers 16, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

God judges rebellion and gives mercy through the priest He chooses.

Korah already serves near God’s tent, yet he demands the priesthood God has given to Aaron. Calling the whole congregation holy does not give him the right to take another man’s calling. Dathan and Abiram also refuse Moses, even calling Egypt a land flowing with milk and honey. God’s judgment shows that their rebellion is against Him. The bronze censers become a covering for the altar, so Israel must remember who may offer incense. Yet the people complain again, and a plague begins among them. Aaron, the priest they reject, runs to make atonement, and God stops the plague.

How does Numbers 16 show us that God judges rebellion and gives mercy through the priest He chooses?

God chooses who may serve as priest before Him.

Korah’s service as a Levite is already a gift from God. Seeking the priesthood rejects the distinction God has made. Hebrews 5 verses 4 to 6 explains that Aaron was called by God, and Christ’s priesthood also comes from God’s appointment.

God judges those who despise His word.

The earth swallows the rebels with their households, and fire consumes the men offering incense. Wives and children are caught in the judgment, so please teach this soberly. Rebellion against God brings danger to the whole household.

God gives mercy through the priest His people rejected.

When the people blame Moses and Aaron, a plague begins. Aaron runs with fire from the altar and incense to make atonement for them. He stands between the dead and the living, and God stops the plague.

Memorise

He stood between the dead and the living; and the plague was stayed.

Numbers 16:48

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, where does my pride reject God’s way and show my need of Jesus?

Aaron “stood between the dead and the living”. The priest whom the people rejected carries incense from the altar and makes atonement. The plague stops, and the living are spared. They need the priest God has given them.

Our pride has also resisted God. Jesus carried the sin of His people to the cross, suffering God’s judgment for them. The Priest gave Himself as the sacrifice, then rose from the dead. He has accomplished their whole salvation, and His completed offering is enough to bring them near God.

Turn from your rebellion and trust Jesus. Those who seek Him in faith receive forgiveness through His sacrifice. Please do not try to approach God on your own terms. Come through the Savior God has appointed, who gave His life to rescue His guilty people.

Parent's note

Tell your children that God’s judgment reached the rebels’ households, and please explain this soberly while pointing them to mercy in Jesus. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God for mercy that comes through the priest He appoints, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

He also gave him authority to execute judgment, because he is a son of man.

John 5:27

Lord God, forgive the pride that demands our own way before You. Thank You for the mercy You give through Jesus, the Priest who gave Himself. Please turn each heart from sin to faith in Him. Teach us to honour Your Word and seek Your care for those around us. Amen.