Numbers 16 – 18
Verse 16:2 starts a rebellion against Moses:
And they rose up before Moses, with a number of the people of Israel, 250 chiefs of the congregation, chosen from the assembly, well-known men.
Wander around the desert long enough, reach your destination and then turn away and be told you will wander and die off for 40 years, that time frame can wear someone thin. I often read stories like this and wonder how they could think this way. Eventually they were consumed by the earth, to show the people who God really trusts.
But how did it get that way? You have seen plagues, miracles, food appear, water gush and still question Moses’ authority. Just seems like you are on the wrong side of God going against Moses. At the same time you look at their arguments and they stem from a deep seeded sense of pride, like most revolts.
I keep on coming up with some wild idea to run for congress, but cannot get any to follow my lead on almost anything. Why do I think I can unseat an well respected congressman and what could I offer above what he has, other than a fresh face. And as we see most “fresh faces” in congress get chewed up and spit out either dejected or corrupted. Guess my point is, pride is the key factor since I somehow think I can do better.
Verses 18:17 – 19 gets into the nuts and bolts on the offering:
17 But the firstborn of a cow, or the firstborn of a sheep, or the firstborn of a goat, you shall not redeem; they are holy. You shall sprinkle their blood on the altar and shall burn their fat as a food offering, with a pleasing aroma to the LORD. 18 But their flesh shall be yours, as the breast that is waved and as the right thigh are yours. 19 All the holy contributions that the people of Israel present to the LORD I give to you, and to your sons and daughters with you, as a perpetual due. It is a covenant of salt for ever before the LORD for you and for your offspring with you.”
I find it interesting how the Torah tends to skip between stories and details on the Law chapter by chapter. In Chapters 16 and 17 Moses was writing about a revolt and then chapter 18 is devoted to the duties of the priests. These verses are interesting since it spells out that the “tithe” is to be used for the Levites living expenses. It was God’s way of making sure they have something to live on and share in the wealth of Israel.
I think by the time Jesus rolled around one of them main reasons the “priests” were so against Him was they did not want to ruin the status quo. They enjoyed great riches without much work and Jesus was ruining their gravy train. Again I wonder if Jesus stood before some of the mega-churches in jeans and a “t” if they would recognize Him as who He is or reject Him as an imposter?
Again understanding verses like this lay the foundation on why things happened the way they did.