Números 16
Charles Spurgeon · Citado em PreceptAustin
Números 16
Spurgeon - After cleansing comes benediction, and truly this is a very rich one. It comprehends both election, effectual calling, access, acceptance, and sonship. First, we are chosen of God, according to the good pleasure of his will, and this alone is blessedness. Then, since we cannot and will not come to God of ourselves, he works graciously in us, and attracts us powerfully; he subdues our unwillingness, and removes our inability by the almighty workings of his transforming grace. This also is no slight blessedness. Furthermore, we, by his divine drawings, are made nigh by the blood of his Son, and brought near by his spirit, into intimate fellowship; so that we have access with boldness, and are no longer as those who are afar off by wicked works: here also is unrivalled blessedness. To crown all, we do not come nigh in peril of dire destruction, as Nadab and Abihu did, but we approach as chosen and accepted ones, to become dwellers in the divine household: this is heaped up blessedness, vast beyond conception. But dwelling in the house we are treated as sons, for the servant abideth not in the house forever, but the son abideth ever. Behold what manner of love and blessedness the Father has bestowed upon us that we may dwell in his house (1 Jn 3:1+), and go no more out for ever. Happy men who dwell at home with God. May both writer and reader be such men. Numbers 16:5 Our Daily Homily F B Meyer The Lord will show who is holy; and will cause him to come near unto Him. It was on these words that the Psalmist founded his exclamation, “Blessed is the man whom Thou choosest, and causest to approach unto Thee.” (Psalm 65:4 - see "Related Devotional by Spurgeon" immediately following) This is what we all need. We often endeavor to approach unto God, but meet with many disappointments. Thomas Welsh said, on one occasion, that he had been wrestling to obtain access from six in the morning until nine! There is something better. If you are his, you may humbly count on God to cause you to come near; believing his promise: “Draw nigh to God, and God will draw nigh to you.” In your morning prayer, or at any other time which you set apart for devotion, let this be the cry of your soul: “My God, cause me to come near.” When for long you have been dwelling afar off, and the distance threatens to become chronic or permanent, let this again be your petition: “Cause me to come near.” And throughout the rush of daily life, let your dependence be on Him who alone can cause you to come near so that you may dwell in his courts. But God cannot do this unless the soul is utterly surrendered to be his; for “if we say we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth.” We must be unanchored and unbeached if the tide is to bear us on its bosom. We must be free from the touch of other hands if we are to respond to his. We must sit loosely by the things of the earth to feel the drawing of heaven. This is, in part, the meaning of holiness. “Who are his, and who is holy?” Those who have experienced separation to God and sin. Give us this, O Lord; then draw us near to Thyself, and we will run after Thee! Related Devotional from Spurgeon: Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and causest to approach unto thee. After cleansing comes benediction, and truly this is a very rich one. It comprehends both election, effectual calling, access, acceptance, and sonship. First, we are chosen of God, according to the good pleasure of his will, and this alone is blessedness. Then, since we cannot and will not come to God of ourselves, he works graciously in us, and attracts us powerfully; he subdues our unwillingness, and removes our inability by the almighty workings of his transforming grace. This also is no slight blessedness. Furthermore, we, by his divine drawings, are made nigh by the blood of his Son, and brought near by his spirit, into intimate fellowship; so that we have access with boldness, and are no longer as those who are afar off by wicked works: here also is unrivalled blessedness. To crown all, we do not come nigh in peril of dire destruction, as Nadab and Abihu did, but we approach as chosen and accepted ones, to become dwellers in the divine household: this is heaped up blessedness, vast beyond conception. But dwelling in the house we are treated as sons, for the servant abideth not in the house for ever, but the son abideth ever. Behold what manner of love and blessedness the Father has bestowed upon us that we may dwell in his house, and go no more out for ever. Happy men who dwell at home with God. May both writer and reader be such men. That he may dwell in thy courts. Acceptance leads to abiding: God does not make a temporary choice, or give and take; his gifts and calling are without repentance. He who is once admitted to God's courts shall inhabit them for ever; he shall be "No more a stranger or a guest, But like a child at home." Permanence gives preciousness. Terminating blessings are but half blessings. To dwell in the courts of the Great King is to be ennobled; to dwell there for ever is to be emparadised: yet such is the portion of every man whom God has chosen and caused to approach unto him, though once his iniquities prevailed against him. G Campbell Morgan Life Applications The Lord will show who are His, and who is holy- Num. 16.5. This chapter gives the account of a strong and organized opposition to Moses and Aaron; and in these words we have the appeal which Moses made for a Divine decision. The attitude taken up by those who organized the movement was plausible and popular. It was democratic in its expression: "All the congregation are holy, every one of them, and Jehovah is among them." It was a plea for equal rights, and for independence of action. Moses chose the only method of reply to such an attitude. It was that of calling for the submission of the case to God, Whose authority was called in question. The answer was immediate. When presently the censers of the offending men were beaten out into a covering for the altar, a provision was made for a perpetual witness to the danger of intruding upon service in any other way than that of the Divine appointment. The whole story serves to show how false may be the most apparently popular movements. The voice of the people is by no means always the voice of God. The declaration that all men have equal rights may be entirely false. It is fundamentally true that all men have an equal right to direct dealings with God, and to receive the law of life from Him. But within that law are provisions which give to each man his service, and no man has any right to serve in any way not directly appointed by God. We have no right to choose. the place or character of what we shall do. Therefore we sin against God when we rebel against the exercise by any man of an authority which has been given him by God. P G Matthew - The LORD will show who belongs to him and who is holy.—Numbers 16:5 The kingdom of God is the rule of God. This rule and order extends over the family, the church, and the state. To this end, the Lord commissions delegated authorities to govern on his behalf and in his name. Those who despise and disobey duly established authorities therefore despise the sovereign God who ordained them. Numbers 16 graphically illustrates God’s response to such insolence. Ambition, arrogance, insolence, jealousy, and rebellion—these words describe the heart of Korah, a Kohathite. Not satisfied with his God-given station in the Levitical system, Korah coveted the priesthood. His complaint, though cloaked in the politically correct argument that all God’s people are holy, was really an accusation against God. Korah challenged God’s appointing Aaron and Moses over himself. He would pay a very high price for his self-centered ambition. We read that Moses became very angry at Korah and his followers. But we do well to note who else became hot with righteous indignation: the Lord God Almighty himself. Those who murmur and rebel against delegated authorities, whether they are fathers or pastors or teachers or elders, are, in fact, guilty of treating God himself with contempt. But he will not let us shame him or despise his authority and glory. The glory of the Lord appeared to the entire assembly (v. 42). In a dramatic, miraculous fashion, divine judgment was meted out to Korah and all his co-conspirators. The earth swallowed Korah and his household, and fire consumed the 250 rebels. In fact, if not for the mediatorial intercession of Moses and Aaron, the entire Israelite congregation would have been destroyed. Let us not think we can play games with the living, almighty, all-holy God. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He is ever-present in the midst of his church, and he opposes those who dishonor him. Korah did not care for his wife, family, and fellow Israelites, and they all suffered terribly for his arrogance. So, too, our sins bring harm to our community, beginning with our family. Let us therefore fear God, walk humbly with him, and show proper respect to God’s delegated authorities. Numbers 16:6 "Do this: take censers for yourselves, Korah and all your company, BGT Numbers 16:6 τοῦτο ποιήσατε λάβετε ὑμῖν αὐτοῖς πυρεῖα Κορε καὶ πᾶσα ἡ συναγωγὴ αὐτοῦ NET Numbers 16:6 Do this, Korah, you and all your company: Take censers, NLT Numbers 16:6 Korah, you and all your followers must prepare your incense burners. ESV Numbers 16:6 Do this: take censers, Korah and all his company; NIV Numbers 16:6 You, Korah, and all your followers are to do this: Take censers KJV Numbers 16:6 This do; Take you censers, Korah, and all his company; YLT Numbers 16:6 This do: take to yourselves censers, Korah, and all his company, LXE Numbers 16:6 This do ye: take to yourselves censers, Core and all his company; Nu 16:35-40,46-48 Lev 10:1 16:12,13 1Ki 18:21-23 Numbers 16 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Do this: take censers for yourselves, Korah and all your company - A censer was a pan for live coals, a fire pan. No description is given of a censer, and we are left in doubt as to its form and appearance. Note the phrase all your company, a clue that Korah's actions would effect his entire family! Woe! NET NOTE on all your company - Heb “his congregation” or “his community.” The expression is unusual, but what it signifies is that Korah had set up a rival “Israel” with himself as leader. THOUGHT -Dad's listen up -- our behavior will have repercussions in our family (whether we like it or not)! For good or for bad. Related Resources: Torrey Topical Textbook Censers American Tract Society Censer Easton's Bible Dictionary Censer Fausset Bible Dictionary Censer Holman Bible Dictionary Censer Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible Censer Hastings' Dictionary of the NT Censer King James Dictionary Censer Morrish Bible Dictionary Censer Smith Bible Dictionary Censer Vines' Expository Dictionary Censer Webster Dictionary Censer Watson's Theological Dictionary Censer International Standard Bible Encyclopedia Censer Kitto Biblical Cyclopedia Censer McClintock and Strong's Bible Encyclopedia Censer, The Jewish Encyclopedia Censer Numbers 16:7 and put fire in them, and lay incense upon them in the presence of the LORD tomorrow; and the man whom the LORD chooses shall be the one who is holy. You have gone far enough, you sons of Levi!" BGT Numbers 16:7 καὶ ἐπίθετε ἐπ᾽ αὐτὰ πῦρ καὶ ἐπίθετε ἐπ᾽ αὐτὰ θυμίαμα ἔναντι κυρίου αὔριον καὶ ἔσται ὁ ἀνήρ ὃν ἂν ἐκλέξηται κύριος οὗτος ἅγιος ἱκανούσθω ὑμῖν υἱοὶ Λευι NET Numbers 16:7 put fire in them, and set incense on them before the LORD tomorrow, and the man whom the LORD chooses will be holy. You take too much upon yourselves, you sons of Levi!" NLT Numbers 16:7 Light fires in them tomorrow, and burn incense before the LORD. Then we will see whom the LORD chooses as his holy one. You Levites are the ones who have gone too far!" ESV Numbers 16:7 put fire in them and put incense on them before the LORD tomorrow, and the man whom the LORD chooses shall be the holy one. You have gone too far, sons of Levi!" NIV Numbers 16:7 and tomorrow put fire and incense in them before the LORD. The man the LORD chooses will be the one who is holy. You Levites have gone too far!" KJV Numbers 16:7 And put fire therein, and put incense in them before the LORD to morrow: and it shall be that the man whom the LORD doth choose, he shall be holy: ye take too much upon you, ye sons of Levi. YLT Numbers 16:7 and put in them fire, and put on them perfume, before Jehovah to-morrow, and it hath been, the man whom Jehovah chooseth, he is the holy one; -- enough of you, sons of Levi.' LXE Numbers 16:7 and put fire on them, and put incense on them before the Lord to-morrow; and it shall come to pass that the man whom the Lord has chosen, he shall be holy: let it be enough for you, ye sons of Levi. that the man: Nu 16:3,5 Eph 1:4 2Th 2:13 1Pe 2:9 too much: Nu 16:3 1Ki 18:17,18 Mt 21:23-27 Numbers 16 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries INCENSE ASCENDS TO THE LORD and put fire in them, and lay incense upon them in the presence of the LORD tomorrow - The word incense (perfume - qetoreth) is from a verb (qatar) meaning to cause to rise up in smoke. Incense was a symbol of prayer as is beautiful prayed in Ps 141:2 "May my prayer be counted as incense before You; The lifting up of my hands as the evening offering." In the presence of is And the man whom the LORD chooses shall be the one who is holy - For emphasis Moses repeats the idea of God's choosing (bahar/bachar) in Nu 16:6. This one would be confirmed as priest. You have gone far enough, you sons of Levi!" - NLT paraphrases it "You Levites are the ones who have gone too far!" Clearly Moses knows who God will choose. But it was the fault of Korah for forcing this "test by fire." Moses uses the same phrase they used of him in Nu 16:3! Centuries later our Lord Jesus declared "by your words you shall be condemned." (Mt 12:37+)! Mattoon writes "We tend to be blind to our own sins that we condemn in others. God wants us to examine ourselves and deal with our own faults first before dealing with others about their errors. See Matthew 7:3-5+. Bush - You accuse me of taking too much upon myself; it is precisely this charge which I bring against you; the result will show with how much justice.” So Elijah retorted upon Ahab the charge of troubling Israel, 1 Kings 18:17, 18. THOUGHT - The application for us is: Constantly guard your motives for why you serve the Lord! It’s easy to cover pride under the guise of, “I just want the Lord’s kingdom to increase under my ministry!” But when you peel away the veneer, the real reason you want your ministry to grow is that you want more power and prestige for yourself. Certainly, we all should strive to do our best in whatever God has called us to do, but be careful not to do your best to promote yourself. God looks on our hearts. John the Baptist’s well known statement when his disciples were worried that Jesus was gaining more disciples than John is always appropriate (John 3:30): “He must increase, but I must decrease.” (Cole) Numbers 16:8 Then Moses said to Korah, "Hear now, you sons of Levi, BGT Numbers 16:8 καὶ εἶπεν Μωυσῆς πρὸς Κορε εἰσακούσατέ μου υἱοὶ Λευι NET Numbers 16:8 Moses said to Korah, "Listen now, you sons of Levi! NLT Numbers 16:8 Then Moses spoke again to Korah: "Now listen, you Levites! ESV Numbers 16:8 And Moses said to Korah, "Hear now, you sons of Levi: NIV Numbers 16:8 Moses also said to Korah, "Now listen, you Levites! KJV Numbers 16:8 And Moses said unto Korah, Hear, I pray you, ye sons of Levi: YLT Numbers 16:8 And Moses saith unto Korah, 'Hear ye, I pray you, sons of Levi; LXE Numbers 16:8 And Moses said to Core, Hearken to me, ye sons of Levi. ASV Numbers 16:8 And Moses said unto Korah, Hear now, ye sons of Levi: Numbers 16 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries TIME TO MEET YOUR MAKER! Then Moses said to Korah, "Hear now, you sons of Levi - Literally "Hear, I pray you." Hear is a command and not a suggestion and conveys not only hearing sounds but hearing with reverence and giving obedient assent to what has been heard. Korah has been instructed and now is to heed what he heard. You can imagine that Korah is beginning to squirm and feel somewhat squeamish (sickened, nauseated, frightened)! As
Números 16
Spurgeon adds “If you are not CONTENT with what you have, you would not be satisfied if it were doubled!” Thomas Watson writes that “There is no better antidote against coveting that which is another’s than BEING CONTENT with that which is our own.” The more content we are with what God has given us, the less we crave what we don’t possess. On the other hand, the more we get the more we want. When we focus on material things, our HAVING will never catch up with our WANTING! I am so convicted as I write this — how often I want something more or something other than what God has already generously given me! Oh, that we all might have a heart saturated with the sweetness of His sufficient provision in Christ, always confident that "God is able to make ALL grace abound to (us), that always HAVING ALL SUFFICIENCY IN EVERYTHING, (we) may have an abundance for EVERY good deed” (2Cor 9:8+) to bring you near to Himself to do the service (Heb. “To serve the service”) of the tabernacle of the LORD - They were daily nearer to Yahweh in their service than any of those in the 12 tribes. This was not enough. They did not really desire greater intimacy with Yahweh, but greater renown with the people! Isn't that usually the way the "cookie crumbles?" Bush - "They were not, indeed, brought so near as the priests, but still nearer than all other men, being the constant assistants of the priests in their duties." and to stand before the congregation to minister to them - Moses reminds them of their lofty, privileged position, with which they should have been content. Bush - Standing is a sign of service, and occasionally used for it, as where the sacred writer in one place, Jer. 52:12, says of Nebuzar-adan, that he “stood before the king;” in the parallel history, 2 Kings 25:8, it is said he was “a servant of the king.” Accordingly the “standing” of the Levites, Neh. 12:44, is equivalent to their “serving” or “waiting,” and as they are said, Deut. 10:8, to “stand before the Lord to minister unto him,” so here it is said, “to stand before the congregation to minister unto them,” thus acting with a twofold reference, to the Lord and to the people, as servants to both.
Números 16
Spurgeon comments - Men's sins have a voice to godly ears. They are the outer index of an inner evil. It is clear that men who dare to sin constantly and presumptuously cannot respect the great Judge of all. Despite the professions of unrighteous men, when we see their unhallowed actions our heart is driven to the conclusion that they have no religion whatever. Unholiness is clear evidence of ungodliness. Wickedness is the fruit of an atheistic root. This may be made clear to the candid head by cogent reasoning, but it is clear already and intuitively to the pious heart. If God be everywhere, and I fear him, how can I dare to break his laws in his very presence? He must be a desperate traitor who will rebel in the monarch's own halls. Whatever theoretical opinions bad men may avow, they can only be classed with atheists, since they are such practically. Those eyes which have no fear of God before them now, shall have the terrors of hell before them for ever. Bush -This supernatural symbol of the Divine presence was made on these occasions to assume some new and striking phase, to which Moses gives the name of the “Glory of the Lord,” and out of this appearance now issued a voice, addressing itself to Moses and Aaron, and uttering the words that follow. Numbers 16:20 Then the LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying, Numbers 16 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Then the LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying - Could everyone hear this conversation? Probably not (cf Nu 16:24) Numbers 16:21 "Separate yourselves from among this congregation, that I may consume them instantly." BGT Numbers 16:21 ἀποσχίσθητε ἐκ μέσου τῆς συναγωγῆς ταύτης καὶ ἐξαναλώσω αὐτοὺς εἰς ἅπαξ NET Numbers 16:21 "Separate yourselves from among this community, that I may consume them in an instant." NLT Numbers 16:21 "Get away from all these people so that I may instantly destroy them!" ESV Numbers 16:21 "Separate yourselves from among this congregation, that I may consume them in a moment." NIV Numbers 16:21 "Separate yourselves from this assembly so I can put an end to them at once." KJV Numbers 16:21 Separate yourselves from among this congregation, that I may consume them in a moment. YLT Numbers 16:21 'Be ye separated from the midst of this company, and I consume them in a moment;' LXE Numbers 16:21 Separate your selves from the midst of this congregation, and I will consume them at once. ASV Numbers 16:21 Separate yourselves from among this congregation, that I may consume them in a moment. CSB Numbers 16:21 "Separate yourselves from this community so I may consume them instantly." NKJ Numbers 16:21 "Separate yourselves from among this congregation, that I may consume them in a moment." NRS Numbers 16:21 Separate yourselves from this congregation, so that I may consume them in a moment. NAB Numbers 16:21 "Stand apart from this band, that I may consume them at once." NJB Numbers 16:21 'Get away from this community. I am going to destroy them here and now.' GWN Numbers 16:21 "Move away from these men, and I'll destroy them in an instant." Separate: Ge 19:15-22 Jer 5:16 Ac 2:40 2Co 6:17 Eph 5:6,7 Rev 18:4 that I may: Nu 16:45 Nu 14:12,15 Ex 32:10 Ex 33:5 Ps 73:19 Isa 37:36 Heb 12:28,29 Numbers 16 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries JUDGMENT DAY COMETH! Separate yourselves from among this congregation - NLT = "Get away from these people so that I may instantly destroy them!" The Lxx has the rare verb aposchizo in the aorist imperative (Do it now! Do not delay! is the idea) which means to to split or cleave off, severe, detach from and in the passive (as in this passage) it means to be parted from (it was used of a river, to be parted from the main stream; of a tribe, to be detached from its parent stock). The only other use is of King Uzziah after God struck him with leprosy and "he was cut off from the house of the LORD." (2 Chr 26:21, also used in Nu 16:26). Bush - "The address was made to all those who were disposed to give heed to it. A discrimination was to be made, and all those who would be found on the Lord’s side are here commanded to withdraw from a position where they would be in danger of sharing in the impending destruction." that I may consume them instantly - Heb. “May eat or devour them.” This is the third time Yahweh threatens to consume the entire congregation (Ex 32:10+, Nu 14:12+) and in all three occasions Moses interceded. Bush - The language is fearfully emphatic, as if the judgment was just ready to burst upon the culprits, and scarcely knew how to brook delay, when yet at the same time it is evident that as wrath did not come upon Sodom till Lot and his family were removed, so here, also, was an impediment until the commanded separation should take place. His arm is withheld while the possibility of salvation for any remains. Instantly is rega which means a wink (of the eyes), a very short space of time, in an instant or moment. The Lxx has hapax meaning "at once!" "This generation is already under a death sentence (14:29–30), but here God declares that it will happen in a mere moment." (Currid) Numbers 16:22 But they fell on their faces and said, "O God, God of the spirits of all flesh, when one man sins, will You be angry with the entire congregation?" BGT Numbers 16:22 καὶ ἔπεσαν ἐπὶ πρόσωπον αὐτῶν καὶ εἶπαν θεὸς θεὸς τῶν πνευμάτων καὶ πάσης σαρκός εἰ ἄνθρωπος εἷς ἥμαρτεν ἐπὶ πᾶσαν τὴν συναγωγὴν ὀργὴ κυρίου NET Numbers 16:22 Then they threw themselves down with their faces to the ground and said, "O God, the God of the spirits of all people, will you be angry with the whole community when only one man sins?" NLT Numbers 16:22 But Moses and Aaron fell face down on the ground. "O God," they pleaded, "you are the God who gives breath to all creatures. Must you be angry with all the people when only one man sins?" ESV Numbers 16:22 And they fell on their faces and said, "O God, the God of the spirits of all flesh, shall one man sin, and will you be angry with all the congregation?" NIV Numbers 16:22 But Moses and Aaron fell facedown and cried out, "O God, God of the spirits of all mankind, will you be angry with the entire assembly when only one man sins?" KJV Numbers 16:22 And they fell upon their faces, and said, O God, the God of the spirits of all flesh, shall one man sin, and wilt thou be wroth with all the congregation? YLT Numbers 16:22 and they fall on their faces, and say, 'God, God of the spirits of all flesh -- the one man sinneth, and against all the company Thou art wroth!' LXE Numbers 16:22 And they fell on their faces, and said, O God, the God of spirits and of all flesh, if one man has sinned, shall the wrath of the Lord be upon the whole congregation? ASV Numbers 16:22 And they fell upon their faces, and said, O God, the God of the spirits of all flesh, shall one man sin, and wilt thou be wroth with all the congregation? they fell: Nu 16:4,45 Nu 14:5 the God: Nu 27:16 Job 12:10 Ec 12:7 Isa 57:16 Zec 12:1 Heb 12:9 one man sin: Ge 18:23-25,32 Jos 7:1-26 2Sa 24:1,17 Ro 5:18 1Co 13:7 Numbers 16 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passages: Numbers 14:5 Then Moses and Aaron fell on their faces in the presence of all the assembly of the congregation of the sons of Israel. ON THEIR FACES... AGAIN! Fell on face is a key phrase in Numbers 16 - Nu 16:2, Nu 16:22+, Nu 16:45+. Only 2 more times in entire book of Numbers (Nu 14:5+, Nu 20:6+). But they fell on their faces and said, "O God, God of the spirits of all flesh ("all mankind" also in Nu 27:16+), when one man sins (aka Korah), will You be angry with the entire congregation?" - What a manifestation of their selfless love and compassion! NLT - "O God, the God and source of all life," they pleaded. "Must you be angry with all the people when only one man sins?"" The first time Moses fell on his face was in Nu 16:4 after which he described the "divine trial" to determine who was righteous before the LORD (Moses must have heard from Yahweh while he was prone in prayer!). Now he and Aaron intercede with Jehovah. How ready they were to intercede! How free from any trace of a revengeful spirit! -- C H Spurgeon NET NOTE on when one man sins - The words clearly show that Moses is interceding for the congregation. The appeal in the verse is that it is better for one man (Korah the leader of the rebellion) to die for the whole nation than the whole nation for one man (see John 11:50). Currid - They then ask God a deep theological question. Shall the entire congregation suffer for the actions of one man—that is, the main culprit, Korah? They are raising the question of collective guilt over against individual responsibility. Brian Bell - Once again, the love & intercession of Moses saved the very people who had created problems for him. Wow, almost sounds like Jesus advice in Mt.5:44ff+ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. Bishop Hall - “The same tongue that prayed against the conspirators, prays for the people. Korah had so far prevailed, that he had drawn the multitude to his side. God, the avenger of treason, would have consumed them all at once. Moses and Aaron pray for the rebels. Although they were worthy of death, and nothing but death could stop their mouths, yet their merciful leaders will not buy their own peace with the loss of such enemies. Oh rare and admirable mercy! The people rise up against their governors; their governors fall on their faces to God for the people. So far are they from plotting revenge, that they will not endure God should revenge for them.” Bush on God of the spirits of all flesh - Moses, with a beautiful propriety, gives to the Most High this title, in acknowledgment of his power to save or to destroy, as he had threatened to consume all Israel. It implies a strong motive to urge the divine compassion: “O God, the father and creator both of the souls and bodies of men, and who hast therefore the power of preserving as well as of destroying; deign to display that power in the exercise of mercy towards this people. Thou, the Searcher of hearts, knowest the authors of this sedition, and distinguishest them from those who have been made, through weakness and credulity, their dupes. Have mercy upon the latter!” Currid on God of the spirits of all flesh - They begin by using a title for God that is found only here and in Numbers 27:16 in the entire Old Testament. The name ‘the God of the spirits of all flesh’ is commonly used of Yahweh in the intertestamental period, and it seems to bear the idea that because he is Creator, then he has the right to do as he pleases with animate life. Moses and Aaron are acknowledging his sovereign right to dispose of people how he sees fit. Gilbrant - Moses' pleading with “God, the God of the spirits of all flesh” reminds one of Abraham’s plea for Sodom, “Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?” (Ge 18:25). Here, in the Hebrew, two different words for God (El and Elohim) are used for emphasis. (CBL) Believer's Study Bible - Cf. Nu11:2; 12:13; 14:5, 13-20; 16:45-50; 21:7. The intercession of Moses and Aaron foreshadowed that of Christ (cf. Isa. 53:12; Luke 23:34; Rom. 8:34; Heb. 7:25). Numbers 16:23 Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, Numbers 16 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Numbers 16:24 "Speak to the congregation, saying, 'Get back from around the dwellings of Korah, Dathan and Abiram.'" BGT Numbers 16:24 λάλησον τῇ συναγωγῇ λέγων ἀναχωρήσατε κύκλῳ ἀπὸ τῆς συναγωγῆς Κορε NET Numbers 16:24 "Tell the community: 'Get away from around the homes of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram.'" NLT Numbers 16:24 "Then tell all the people to get away from the tents of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram." ESV Numbers 16:24 "Say to the congregation, Get away from the dwelling of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram." NIV Numbers 16:24 "Say to the assembly, 'Move away from the tents of Korah, Dathan and Abiram.'" KJV Numbers 16:24 Speak unto the congregation, saying, Get you up from about the tabernacle of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram. YLT Numbers 16:24 'Speak unto the company, saying, Go ye up from round about the tabernacle of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram.' LXE Numbers 16:24 Speak to the congregation, saying, Depart from the company of Core round about. ASV Numbers 16:24 Speak unto the congregation, saying, Get you up from about the tabernacle of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram. Numbers 16 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries GET BACK! OR BE GONE! Speak to the congregation, saying, 'Get back from around the dwellings of Korah, Dathan and Abiram - KJV has "the tabernacle of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram." NLT - ""Then tell all the people to get away from the tents of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram." If we would escape from the doom of the wicked, we must flee from their company - Spurgeon Brian Bell -Stay clear of the troublemakers if you want to continue living. Sounds like Rev.18:4,5+ "I heard another voice from heaven, saying, “Come out of her, my people, so that you will not participate in her sins and receive of her plagues;5 for her sins have piled up as high as heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities." Numbers 16:25 Then Moses arose and went to Dathan and Abiram, with the elders of Israel following him, BGT Numbers 16:25 καὶ ἀνέστη Μωυσῆς καὶ ἐπορεύθη πρὸς Δαθαν καὶ Αβιρων καὶ συνεπορεύθησαν μετ᾽ αὐτοῦ πάντες οἱ πρεσβύτεροι Ισραηλ NET Numbers 16:25 Then Moses got up and went to Dathan and Abiram; and the elders of Israel went after him. NLT Numbers 16:25 So Moses got up and rushed over to the tents of Dathan and Abiram, followed by the elders of Israel. ESV Numbers 16:25 Then Moses rose and went to Dathan and Abiram, and the elders of Israel followed him. NIV Numbers 16:25 Moses got up and went to Dathan and Abiram, and the elders of Israel followed him. KJV Numbers 16:25 And Moses rose up and went unto Dathan and Abiram; and the elders of Israel followed him. YLT Numbers 16:25 And Moses riseth, and goeth unto Dathan and Abiram, and the elders of Israel go after him, LXE Numbers 16:25 And Moses rose up and went to Dathan and Abiron, and all the elders of Israel went with him. ASV Numbers 16:25 And Moses rose up and went unto Dathan and Abiram; and the elders of Israel followed him. Nu 11:16,17,25,30 Numbers 16 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries MOSES DEALS WITH DATHAN AND ABIRAM Then Moses arose and went to Dathan and Abiram - Then indicates there was some time for the people to get back from the rebels. During this time Moses would address the other two rebels face to face. Since they refused to come to him, he would go to them. Bush - Having proclaimed the preceding order first at the Tabernacle to the people that followed Korah and his party, Moses then went in person to the camp where Dathan and Abiram still persisted in remaining, after having treated so contemptuously the summons sent them. He went, accompanied by a train of elders, and gave notice to all that dwelt round about, to remove themselves and all they had from the dangerous vicinity, lest they also should share in the coming doom of the rebels. With the elders of Israel following him - Presumably these were the 70 men who were from the elders and whom God anointed with the Spirit (see Nu 11:16–30+). God had given Moses these men to help him bear the burden and here they go with Moses in his confrontation with Dathan and Abiram. Question: Who was Dathan in the Bible? Answer: Dathan was one of four ringleaders who incited a rebellion against the leadership of Moses and Aaron while the Israelites journeyed in the wilderness (Numbers 16). Dathan was the son of Eliab, from the tribe of Reuben. He, his brother Abiram, a fellow Reubenite named On, and a Levite named Korah brought 250 Israelite leaders to challenge Moses’ right to lead them. They said, “The whole community is holy, every one of them, and the Lord is with them. Why then do you set yourselves above the Lord’s assembly” (verse 3)? Moses was distraught at this challenge and the rebelliousness behind it, and he ordered Dathan and the other men to appear before him the next morning with censers full of incense and hot coals to offer to the Lord. Offering incense was to be performed only by God’s priests, but these men claimed that they should have the same right as Moses and Aaron to be leaders. Moses’ plan would let the Lord show them the foolishness of their demand. Dathan and the other malcontents, along with the high priest, Aaron, would offer their incense, and the Lord would publicly choose His priest. Moses tried to reason separately with Korah, reminding him that as a Levite he was already chosen by the Lord for special service (Numbers 16:8–11). But Korah would not listen. When Moses summoned Dathan and Abiram, they defied his command and issued a surly response: “We will not come! Isn’t it enough that you have brought us up out of a land flowing with milk and honey to kill us in the wilderness? And now you also want to lord it over us! Moreover, you haven’t brought us into a land flowing with milk and honey or given us an inheritance of fields and vineyards. Do you want to treat these men like slaves? No, we will not come!” (Numbers 16:12–14). None of the rebels were willing to listen to Moses’ appeals. The next morning, Dathan and the others came to the tabernacle with censers in hand. The Lord was so angry at their insolence that He wanted to destroy all of the Israelites, and He told Moses and Aaron to step aside so He could. Moses pleaded with the Lord for mercy, so the Lord brought judgment only on the ones who had incited the rebellion. Dathan, Abiram, and Korah stood with their families and possessions at the entry to their tents, and the Lord caused the ground to open and swallow them (Numbers 16:31–33). At the same time, the Lord sent fire to consume the 250 men who held the censers, incinerating the rebels. Later, God told Eleazar the priest to collect the censers, scatter the coals, and “hammer the censers into sheets to overlay the altar, for they were presented before the Lord and have become holy” (Numbers 16:38). The bronze overlay was to “be a sign to the Israelites” of God’s wrath against sin and the importance of accepting God’s choice. Because Korah was a Levite, the tribe already chosen by God to lead the people in worship, the Lord seems to have held him most responsible for this rebellion. Jude 1:11 refers to this event as “Korah’s rebellion.” However, Dathan and his cohorts received the same punishment that God gave Korah. While the judgment may seem severe to us, God was showing His people Israel that He was holy and would not tolerate their defiance of His decrees. They could not approach His presence and offer to Him whatever they chose, but they must obey Him in everything, including the offering of sacrifices (Numbers 15:40). We can learn from Dathan’s sin that the Lord requires more from those to whom more has been given (Luke 12:48). He holds us responsible for the knowledge, callings, and opportunities He gives us. Korah, Dathan, and Abiram serve as reminders that God takes seriously our disregard for His holiness and that a terrible fate awaits those who reject His choice of a Savior (Revelation 21:8). GotQuestions.org Numbers 16:26 and he spoke to the congregation, saying, "Depart now from the tents of these wicked men, and touch nothing that belongs to them, or you will be swept away in all their sin." BGT Numbers 16:26 καὶ ἐλάλησεν πρὸς τὴν συναγωγὴν λέγων ἀποσχίσθητε ἀπὸ τῶν σκηνῶν τῶν ἀνθρώπων τῶν σκληρῶν τούτων καὶ μὴ ἅπτεσθε ἀπὸ πάντων ὧν ἐστιν αὐτοῖς μὴ συναπόλησθε ἐν πάσῃ τῇ ἁμαρτίᾳ αὐτῶν NET Numbers 16:26 And he said to the community, "Move away from the tents of these wicked men, and do not touch anything they have, lest you be destroyed because of all their sins." NLT Numbers 16:26 "Quick!" he told the people. "Get away from the tents of these wicked men, and don't touch anything that belongs to them. If you do, you will be destroyed for their sins." ESV Numbers 16:26 And he spoke to the congregation, saying, "Depart, please, from the tents of these wicked men, and touch nothing of theirs, lest you be swept away with all their sins." NIV Numbers 16:26 He warned the assembly, "Move back from the tents of these wicked men! Do not touch anything belonging to them, or you will be swept away because of all their sins." KJV Numbers 16:26 And he spake unto the congregation, saying, Depart, I pray you, from the tents of these wicked men, and touch nothing of theirs, lest ye be consumed in all their sins. YLT Numbers 16:26 and he speaketh unto the company, saying, 'Turn aside, I pray you, from the tents of these wicked men, and come not against anything that they have, lest ye be consumed in all their sins.' LXE Numbers 16:26 And he spoke to the congregation, saying, Separate yourselves from the tents of these stubborn men, and touch nothing that belongs to them, lest ye be consumed with them in all their sin. ASV Numbers 16:26 And he spake unto the congregation, saying, Depart, I pray you, from the tents of these wicked men, and touch nothing of theirs, lest ye be consumed in all their sins. CSB Numbers 16:26 He warned the community, "Get away now from the tents of these wicked men. Don't touch anything that belongs to them, or you will be swept away because of all their sins." Nu 16:21-24 Ge 19:12-14 De 13:17 Isa 52:11 Mt 10:14 Ac 8:20 13:51 2Co 6:17 1Ti 5:22 Rev 18:4 Numbers 16 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passages: Isaiah 52:11 Depart, depart, (DOUBLE COMMAND!!!) go out from there, Touch nothing unclean; Go out of the midst of her, purify yourselves, You who carry the vessels of the LORD. (NET = Leave! Leave! Get out of there! Don't touch anything unclean! Get out of it! Stay pure, you who carry the LORD's holy items!) 2 Corinthians 6:17 “Therefore, COME OUT FROM THEIR MIDST AND BE SEPARATE,” says the Lord. “AND DO NOT TOUCH WHAT IS UNCLEAN; And I will welcome you. THOUGHT - Do you feel far from the Lord? Perhaps you need to do inventory regarding the three preceding commands as to what you have been doing, watching, saying, etc. God desires to welcome you into His presence, into intimate fellowship with Him -- EVERY DAY BELOVED! But your part is to come out, be separate and not touch the unclean things of this godless, God hating world! Read and put into practice the truth of 1 John 1:6-7+ And he spoke to the congregation, saying, "Depart now from the tents of these wicked men - NLT = ""Quick!" he told the people. "Get away from the tents of these wicked men." Separate from these divisive, argumentative, contentious people! That's good advice for any church today! Their divisive spirit can be infectious and "toxic"! Depart is a command and is the same verb aposchizo used in Nu 16:21 in the see Lxx and again is in the aorist imperative meaning "Do it now! Do not delay!" Moses says nothing to Dathan and Abiram per se, but only to the congregation gathered around their tents. Dathan and Abiram did not have ears to hear for they had gone too far and there was no forgiveness for them. Wicked (see below) is translated in Lxx with skleros which literally means hard and figuratively describes these men as unyielding in their behavior and manifesting a stubborn attitude (from a "hard heart"). THOUGHT - One can become so steeped in sin, so hardened, so stiff-necked, that God eventually lets that individual (like Dathan) have their own way and suffer their just fate. They cannot blame God for the consequences and/or punishment! No one in Hell can blame God for their eternal punishment! Wicked (07563)(rasha') is an adjective meaning unrighteous, unjust, an evil person, wrong wicked, guilty (legally not innocent of a violation of the law - Ex 23:1, Ps 109:7), in the wrong, criminal, transgressor. Rasha' often describes unbelievers, who hate God and are habitually hostile toward Him. The wicked/ungodly conduct their lives as if God does not exist and with no regard for Him. Rasha' describes someone as evil with a focus on their being guilty or in the wrong (2Sa 4:11). Rasha' is the opposite of righteous (06662). NET NOTE on rasha - The word רָשָׁע (rasha'’) has the sense of a guilty criminal. The word “wicked” sometimes gives the wrong connotation. These men were opposing the LORD, and so were condemned as criminals—they were guilty. The idea of “wickedness” therefore applies in that sense. NET NOTE is interesting - The impression is that the people did not hear what the LORD said to Moses, but only what Moses said to the people as a result. They saw the brilliant cloud, and perhaps heard the sound of his voice, but the relaying of the instructions indicates they did not hear the actual instruction from the LORD himself. And touch nothing that belongs to them or you will be swept away in all their sin - NLT = "don't touch anything that belongs to them. If you do, you will be destroyed for their sins." Swept away means to be snatched away, captured, destroyed and in the Lxx is translated with sunapollumi from apollumi meaning not to cease to exist but to come to ultimate ruin, losing all purpose for which a person was created (Which is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever!) Refusing to obey God's warnings or refusing to believe God forces God to punish sinners in their sin. Bush - As they themselves had become unclean and execrable, they accordingly communicated a kind of pollution to every thing with which they came in contact, bringing it under an anathema or curse. Accordingly everything perished together, as we learn from Nu 16:32. Comp. taking nothing that is under the "ban" (devoted to destruction) in Deut. 13:16, 17.
Números 16
Spurgeon - Thus, by terrible things in righteousness, did the Lord uphold the power of his servants; how much more will he maintain the throne of his Son. “Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little.” With humble love address the Son, Lest he grow angry, and ye die; His wrath will burn to worlds unknown, If ye provoke his jealousy. His storms shall drive you quick to hell; He is a God, and ye but dust; Happy the souls that know him well, And make his grace their only trust. Numbers 16:35 Fire also came forth from the LORD and consumed the two hundred and fifty men who were offering the incense. BGT Numbers 16:35 καὶ πῦρ ἐξῆλθεν παρὰ κυρίου καὶ κατέφαγεν τοὺς πεντήκοντα καὶ διακοσίους ἄνδρας τοὺς προσφέροντας τὸ θυμίαμα NET Numbers 16:35 Then a fire went out from the LORD and devoured the 250 men who offered incense. NLT Numbers 16:35 Then fire blazed forth from the LORD and burned up the 250 men who were offering incense. ESV Numbers 16:35 And fire came out from the LORD and consumed the 250 men offering the incense. NIV Numbers 16:35 And fire came out from the LORD and consumed the 250 men who were offering the incense. KJV Numbers 16:35 And there came out a fire from the LORD, and consumed the two hundred and fifty men that offered incense. YLT Numbers 16:35 and fire hath come out from Jehovah, and consumeth the two hundred and fifty men bringing near the perfume. LXE Numbers 16:35 And fire went forth from the Lord, and devoured the two hundred and fifty men that offered incense. ASV Numbers 16:35 And fire came forth from Jehovah, and devoured the two hundred and fifty men that offered the incense. And there: Nu 11:1 26:10 Lev 10:2 Ps 106:18 two hundred: Nu 16:2,17 Numbers 16 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Rebellious Leaders Holding Firepans of Incense Consumed by Fire! CONSUMED BY FIRE Fire also came forth from the LORD - From the glory of the LORD in the pillar of cloud over the tabernacle! They were consumed in a manner similar to Nadab and Abihu who offered strange fire (Lev 10:1-2+) And consumed the two hundred and fifty men who were offering the incense - Consumed is "ate up" or devoured. The psalmist records "And a fire blazed up in their company; The flame consumed the wicked. " (Ps 106:18) Spurgeon comments on this psalm writing "The Levites who were with Korah perished by fire, which was a most fitting death for those who intruded into the priesthood, and so offered strange fire. God has more than one arrow in his quiver, the fire can consume those whom the earthquake spares. These terrible things in righteousness are mentioned here to show the obstinacy of the people in continuing to rebel against the Lord. Terrors were as much lost upon them as mercies had been; they could neither be drawn nor driven." Bishop Hall has an interesting note - “There were two sorts of traitors; the earth swallowed up one, the fire the other. All the elements agree to serve the vengeance of their Maker. Nadab and Abihu brought fit persons, but unfit fire to God; these Levites bring the right fire, but unwarranted persons before him; fire from God consumes both. It is a dangerous thing to usurp sacred functions. The ministry will not grace the man; the man may disgrace the ministry.” Currid applies this section - Submission to the authority of others is a difficult thing to put into practice, and Calvin argues that it goes strongly against human nature. Are you jealous of others who have positions of authority in the church? Do you have contempt for leaders in your church whom God has placed over you? We must pray that God would make us obedient to the task to which he has called us, whether it be small or great. For the truth is that God assigns different duties to different persons in the church; Paul tells us, ‘And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ’ (Eph. 4:11–12). Not all of us have been called to those positions of service, but we have all been called to a particular service, and we must be diligent in our duty to it. (Ibid) Numbers 16:36 Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, Numbers 16 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, NET NOTE - technical note - Beginning with Numbers 16:36, the verse numbers through 17:13 in the English Bible differ from the verse numbers in the Hebrew text (BHS), with 16:36 ET = 17:1 HT, 16:37 ET = 17:2 HT, 17:1 ET = 17:16 HT, etc., through 17:13 ET = 17:28 HT. With 18:1 the verse numbers in the ET and HT are again the same. But in the English chap. 17 there are two parts: Aaron’s rod budding (1–9), and the rod preserved as a memorial (10–13). Both sections begin with the same formula. John Bennett - Day by Day - Numbers 16:36–50 BETWEEN THE DEAD AND THE LIVING Two types of censer feature in this passage—the censers of false priesthood and the censer of the true priest. The censer was used in tabernacle service to cause the incense to ascend before God. Incense speaks of the glories of Christ that delight the heart of God, Exod. 30:34–38. Censers in the hands of unbelieving rebels can only bring judgement. In our previous reading we noted that Korah and his company had been told to bring their censers before the Lord, vv. 16–17. It would seem that as they were attempting to offer incense they were consumed by fire from God. The brass censers, however, were preserved and these were beaten into plates to form a covering for the altar of incense, vv. 36–38. They guarded the incense altar from false priesthood. In our dispensation all believers have the great privilege of drawing near to God as priests. We offer incense as we pray and worship. But worship can only be acceptable to God if it comes from those who are from the priestly family. In a sense the altar of incense is still guarded. On the following day, the people murmured, blaming Moses and Aaron for the deaths of the rebels, v. 41. When God then judged the people, Moses recognized that the plague could only be stayed by the action of the censer. In the hands of a true priest, the censer is the means of salvation. Aaron stood between the dead and the living, v. 48. His action halted death. This no doubt symbolizes the priestly ministry of our Lord Jesus, but there is a practical lesson for us too. Often today there can be a plague among the people. There was a plague of worldly wisdom at Corinth, 1 Cor. 1:20; there was a plague of legalism in Galatia, Gal. 5:1; there was a plague of Gnostic philosophy at Colosse, Col. 2:8. In each case Paul acts as a priestly man. He confronts the plague by wielding the censer. A ministry of the glories of Christ will always result in the plague being stayed. May we wield the censer today, whether in the sanctuary in prayer and worship, or in the congregation as we stand between the dead and the living. Numbers 16:37 "Say to Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, that he shall take up the censers out of the midst of the blaze, for they are holy; and you scatter the burning coals abroad. BGT Numbers 17:2 καὶ πρὸς Ελεαζαρ τὸν υἱὸν Ααρων τὸν ἱερέα ἀνέλεσθε τὰ πυρεῖα τὰ χαλκᾶ ἐκ μέσου τῶν κατακεκαυμένων καὶ τὸ πῦρ τὸ ἀλλότριον τοῦτο σπεῖρον ἐκεῖ ὅτι ἡγίασαν NET Numbers 16:37 "Tell Eleazar son of Aaron the priest to pick up the censers out of the flame, for they are holy, and then scatter the coals of fire at a distance. NLT Numbers 16:37 "Tell Eleazar son of Aaron the priest to pull all the incense burners from the fire, for they are holy. Also tell him to scatter the burning coals. ESV Numbers 16:37 "Tell Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest to take up the censers out of the blaze. Then scatter the fire far and wide, for they have become holy. NIV Numbers 16:37 "Tell Eleazar son of Aaron, the priest, to take the censers out of the smoldering remains and scatter the coals some distance away, for the censers are holy-- KJV Numbers 16:37 Speak unto Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest, that he take up the censers out of the burning, and scatter thou the fire yonder; for they are hallowed. YLT Numbers 16:37 'Say unto Eleazar son of Aaron the priest, and he lifteth up the censers from the midst of the burning, and the fire scatter thou yonder, for they have been hallowed, LXE Numbers 16:37 and to Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest, Take up the brazen censers out of the midst of the men that have been burnt, and scatter the strange fire yonder, for they have sanctified the censers ASV Numbers 16:37 Speak unto Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest, that he take up the censers out of the burning, and scatter thou the fire yonder; for they are holy, the censers: Nu 16:7,18 holy: Lev 27:28 Numbers 16 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries THE CENSERS ARE MADE HOLY BY BEING IN PRESENCE OF YAHWEH Say to Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, that he shall take up the censers out of the midst of the blaze, for they are holy - The censers were consecrated to the service of God although they here had been improperly employed. and you scatter the burning coals abroad - "The Hebrew text just has “fire,” but it would be hard to conceive of this action apart from the idea of coals of fire." (NET) Currid - Why are the coals not returned to the altar from which they had come? Perhaps they had not been taken from there. Remember, the leaders had put coal / fire in their censers not at the command of Moses (16:18). And, therefore, they may have been offering ‘strange fire’, as Nadab and Abihu had done in Leviticus 10:1–2. Ronald Allen - “Can you imagine the scene? True priests are picking among the bodies, charred flesh, stench, smoke, smoldering embers, and twisted parts. They are to make a count. There were 250 censers; not one is to be lost. Each one is recorded, each one cleansed, each one holy.” Bush - Whatever fire, or cinders, still remained in the smoking censers was to be hurled away at once, and to the farthest possible distance, probably to the spot where all the refuse of the camp was cast, in order to indicate that the service performed by them was rejected with the utmost loathing and detestation as profane. Gr. “As for the strange fire, scatter it there;” in which rendering we have no clue to lead us to the precise import of “there.” THOUGHT - If Christians today encounter ungodly, divisive leadership they should do what the 250 followers of Korah did not do. The right thing to do is to, if possible, remove yourself from such leaders without becoming rebellious and divisive. If it isn’t possible, leave it up to God to deal with it (as David allowed God to deal with Saul) instead of taking matters into his own hands. (Guzik) Numbers 16:38 "As for the censers of these men who have sinned at the cost of their lives, let them be made into hammered sheets for a plating of the altar, since they did present them before the LORD and they are holy; and they shall be for a sign to the sons of Israel." BGT Numbers 17:3 τὰ πυρεῖα τῶν ἁμαρτωλῶν τούτων ἐν ταῖς ψυχαῖς αὐτῶν καὶ ποίησον αὐτὰ λεπίδας ἐλατάς περίθεμα τῷ θυσιαστηρίῳ ὅτι προσηνέχθησαν ἔναντι κυρίου καὶ ἡγιάσθησαν καὶ ἐγένοντο εἰς σημεῖον τοῖς υἱοῖς Ισραηλ NET Numbers 16:38 As for the censers of these men who sinned at the cost of their lives, they must be made into hammered sheets for covering the altar, because they presented them before the LORD and sanctified them. They will become a sign to the Israelites." NLT Numbers 16:38 Take the incense burners of these men who have sinned at the cost of their lives, and hammer the metal into a thin sheet to overlay the altar. Since these burners were used in the LORD's presence, they have become holy. Let them serve as a warning to the people of Israel." ESV Numbers 16:38 As for the censers of these men who have sinned at the cost of their lives, let them be made into hammered plates as a covering for the altar, for they offered them before the LORD, and they became holy. Thus they shall be a sign to the people of Israel." NIV Numbers 16:38 the censers of the men who sinned at the cost of their lives. Hammer the censers into sheets to overlay the altar, for they were presented before the LORD and have become holy. Let them be a sign to the Israelites." KJV Numbers 16:38 The censers of these sinners against their own souls, let them make them broad plates for a covering of the altar: for they offered them before the LORD, therefore they are hallowed: and they shall be a sign unto the children of Israel. YLT Numbers 16:38 even the censers of these sinners against their own souls; and they have made them spread-out plates, a covering for the altar, for they have brought them near before Jehovah, and they are hallowed; and they are become a sign to the sons of Israel.' LXE Numbers 16:38 of these sinners against their own souls, and do thou make them beaten plates a covering to the altar, because they were brought before the Lord and hallowed; and they became a sign to the children of Israel. men who have sinned : 1Ki 2:23 Pr 1:18 8:36 20:2 Hab 2:10 a sign: Nu 16:40 17:10 26:10 Eze 14:8 1Co 10:11 2Pe 2:6 Numbers 16 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Altar of Burnt Offering - Brazen Altar CENSER SIGN FOR THE SONS OF ISRAEL As for the censers of these men who have sinned at the cost of their lives - A vivid example of Ro 6:23 that "the wages of sin is death." Let them be made into hammered sheets for a plating of the altar - They were to be beaten out and cover the brazen altar, the main altar when one entered the courtyard of the tabernacle complex where the animals were sacrificed and offered up to Yahweh. This would have been a place that even lay Israelites could enter and thus would be able to see the plated altar. Currid - Bronze sheeting had already been placed on this altar (see Exod. 27:2; 38:2), and so this will be a second layer. Bush - "They were to be laid on over the precious covering of brass which enveloped the brazen altar, or the altar of sacrifice, as described, Ex. 27:12+." Since they did present them before the LORD and they are holy - NLT conveys the idea "Since these burners were used in the LORD's presence, they have become holy." and they shall be for a sign to the sons of Israel - A sign, a reminder every time an Israelite brought an animal for sacrifice they would see the hammered censers and be reminded of the 250 men who died! The fear of the LORD is a mixture of reverential awe, but it also needs a little holy dread, which is what the sight of these beaten censers would likely stimulate. Brian Bell - The censers made into brass plates for a covering for the brazen altar, would have been a great visual reminder to all worshipers coming to the altar that...the sin of rebellion is severely judged by God. Bush - a sign. That is, a memorial to put Israel in mind of the transgression in which the fact originated, and to serve as a perpetual warning to them against repeating the offence. “Not only the Israelites in general, but also the Levites in particular, save Aaron’s sons only, are counted strangers in respect of the priest’s office; and this covering of the altar, with those censers of polished splendid brass, was as a looking-glass for all to behold, that none might, afterwards, like Korah, presume to the priesthood.”—Ness. Thus Aaron’s rod was kept for a sign, Nu 17:10, and God threatens, by destroying the wicked man, to make him “a sign and a proverb,” Ezek. 14:8. THOUGHT - The mention of this OT sign reminds us of Paul's exhortation in the NT to believers -- "Now these things happened to them as an example, and they were written for our instruction, upon whom the ends of the ages have come." (1 Cor. 10:11) Sign (Lxx = semeion)(0226)('oth) means a signal, a mark a miracle and is used to describe amazing events such as God bringing Israel out of Egypt (Ex 4:8, 9, Nu 14:22, 16:38) or a sign serving to authenticate the message as from God (1Sa 2:34, 10:7, 9) in contrast to the signs from false prophets (Dt 13:1, 2). Numbers 16:39 So Eleazar the priest took the bronze censers which the men who were burned had offered, and they hammered them out as a plating for the altar, BGT Numbers 17:4 καὶ ἔλαβεν Ελεαζαρ υἱὸς Ααρων τοῦ ἱερέως τὰ πυρεῖα τὰ χαλκᾶ ὅσα προσήνεγκαν οἱ κατακεκαυμένοι καὶ προσέθηκαν αὐτὰ περίθεμα τῷ θυσιαστηρίῳ NET Numbers 16:39 So Eleazar the priest took the bronze censers presented by those who had been burned up, and they were hammered out as a covering for the altar. NLT Numbers 16:39 So Eleazar the priest collected the 250 bronze incense burners that had been used by the men who died in the fire, and he hammered them into a thin sheet to overlay the altar. ESV Numbers 16:39 So Eleazar the priest took the bronze censers, which those who were burned had offered, and they were hammered out as a covering for the altar, NIV Numbers 16:39 So Eleazar the priest collected the bronze censers brought by those who had been burned up, and he had them hammered out to overlay the altar, KJV Numbers 16:39 And Eleazar the priest took the brasen censers, wherewith they that were burnt had offered; and they were made broad plates for a covering of the altar: YLT Numbers 16:39 And Eleazar the priest taketh the brazen censers which they who are burnt had brought near, and they spread them out, a covering for the altar -- LXE Numbers 16:39 And Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest took the brazen censers, which the men who had been burnt brought near, and they put them as a covering on the altar: ASV Numbers 16:39 And Eleazar the priest took the brazen censers, which they that were burnt had offered; and they beat them out for a covering of the altar, Numbers 16 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries So Eleazar the priest took the bronze censers which the men who were burned had offered -This is an ironic picture. These men were in a sens "burnt offerings" but of course they were not acceptable because they were overtly rebellious. And they hammered them out as a plating for the altar - Just as Yahweh instructed. Numbers 16:40 as a reminder to the sons of Israel that no layman who is not of the descendants of Aaron should come near to burn incense before the LORD; so that he will not become like Korah and his company--just as the LORD had spoken to him through Moses. BGT Numbers 17:5 μνημόσυνον τοῖς υἱοῖς Ισραηλ ὅπως ἂν μὴ προσέλθῃ μηθεὶς ἀλλογενής ὃς οὐκ ἔστιν ἐκ τοῦ σπέρματος Ααρων ἐπιθεῖναι θυμίαμα ἔναντι κυρίου καὶ οὐκ ἔσται ὥσπερ Κορε καὶ ἡ ἐπισύστασις αὐτοῦ καθὰ ἐλάλησεν κύριος ἐν χειρὶ Μωυσῆ NET Numbers 16:40 It was a memorial for the Israelites, that no outsider who is not a descendant of Aaron should approach to burn incense before the LORD, that he might not become like Korah and his company– just as the LORD had spoken by the authority of Moses. NLT Numbers 16:40 This would warn the Israelites that no unauthorized person-- no one who was not a descendant of Aaron-- should ever enter the LORD's presence to burn incense. If anyone did, the same thing would happen to him as happened to Korah and his followers. So the LORD's instructions to Moses were carried out. ESV Numbers 16:40 to be a reminder to the people of Israel, so that no outsider, who is not of the descendants of Aaron, should draw near to burn incense before the LORD, lest he become like Korah and his company-- as the LORD said to him through Moses. NIV Numbers 16:40 as the LORD directed him through Moses. This was to remind the Israelites that no one except a descendant of Aaron should come to burn incense before the LORD, or he would become like Korah and his followers. KJV Numbers 16:40 To be a memorial unto the children of Israel, that no stranger, which is not of the seed of Aaron, come near to offer incense before the LORD; that he be not as Korah, and as his company: as the LORD said to him by the hand of Moses. YLT Numbers 16:40 a memorial to the sons of Israel, so that a stranger who is not of the seed of Aaron doth not draw near to make a perfume before Jehovah, and is not as Korah, and as his company, -- as Jehovah hath spoken by the hand of Moses to him. LXE Numbers 16:40 a memorial to the children of Israel that no stranger might draw nigh, who is not of the seed of Aaron, to offer incense before the Lord; so he shall not be as Core and as they that conspired with him, as the Lord spoke to him by the hand of Moses. that no: Nu 3:10,38 18:4-7 Lev 22:10 2Ch 26:18-20 Jude 1:11 come near: 1Ki 13:1-3 2Ch 26:16-21 Numbers 16 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries PURPOSE OF THE CENSER SIGN as a reminder to the sons of Israel that no layman who is not of the descendants of Aaron should come near to burn incense before the LORD - NLT = "This would warn the Israelites that no unauthorized man--no one who was not a descendant of Aaron--should ever enter the Lord's presence to burn incense." Levites were forbidden. The priesthood came only through the Levite Aaron. so that he will not become like Korah and his company - Layman burning incense would be burned or swallowed by the earth. In fact King Uzziah did break this rule and was made a leper for the rest of his life (read 2Ch 26:16-21). this is the duty of the Levitical priesthood alone. just as the LORD had spoken to him through Moses - NLT = "Thus, the Lord's instructions to Moses were carried out." Currid - God graciously provides his people with signs and symbols of spiritual truths and realities. Humans live by sight, and such things are important for the way in which God teaches his people. For example, the rainbow serves as a physical ‘sign’ of the reality of the covenant relationship between God and his people (Gen. 9:12–13). Circumcision is a sign of a spiritual reality: that reality is the covenant relationship between God and his people (Gen . 17:9–11). The Sabbath also serves as a ‘sign’ of the covenant between God and his people; it symbolizes that God has set apart a people unto himself (Exod. 20:8–11). Baptism and the Lord’s Supper are particularly important signs for the Christian. The Westminster Confession puts it this way: Sacraments are holy signs and seals of the covenant of grace, immediately instituted by God, to represent Christ and his benefits, and to confirm our interest in him; as also to put a visible difference between those that belong unto the church and the rest of the world; and solemnly to engage them to the service of God in Christ, according to his word. Numbers 16:41 But on the next day all the congregation of the sons of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron, saying, "You are the ones who have caused the death of the LORD'S people." BGT Numbers 17:6 καὶ ἐγόγγυσαν οἱ υἱοὶ Ισραηλ τῇ ἐπαύριον ἐπὶ Μωυσῆν καὶ Ααρων λέγοντες ὑμεῖς ἀπεκτάγκατε τὸν λαὸν κυρίου NET Numbers 16:41 But on the next day the whole community of Israelites murmured against Moses and Aaron, saying, "You have killed the LORD's people!" NLT Numbers 16:41 But the very next morning the whole community of Israel began muttering again against Moses and Aaron, saying, "You have killed the LORD's people!" ESV Numbers 16:41 But on the next day all the congregation of the people of Israel grumbled against Moses and against Aaron, saying, "You have killed the people of the LORD." NIV Numbers 16:41 The next day the whole Israelite community grumbled against Moses and Aaron. "You have killed the LORD's people," they said. KJV Numbers 16:41 But on the morrow all the congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron, saying, Ye have killed the people of the LORD. YLT Numbers 16:41 And all the company of the sons of Israel murmur, on the morrow, against Moses and against Aaron, saying, 'Ye -- ye have put to death the people of Jehovah.' LXE Numbers 16:41 And the children of Israel murmured the next day against Moses and Aaron, saying, Ye have killed the people of the Lord. ASV Numbers 16:41 But on the morrow all the congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron, saying, Ye have killed the people of Jehovah. all the: Nu 16:1-7 14:2 Ps 106:13,23,25-48 Isa 26:11 Ye have: Nu 16:3 2Sa 16:7,8 1Ki 18:17 Jer 37:13,14 38:4 43:3 Am 7:10 Mt 5:11 Ac 5:28 21:28 2Co 6:8 Numbers 16 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries PEOPLE SEE GOD'S POWER BUT STILL GRUMBLE! Beloved, this has to be one of the most amazing passages in the Bible! Almost 15,000 fellow Jews have just died in what were clearly divinely ordained, supernatural circumstances, and in spite of this overwhelming proof, they come again against Moses and Aaron. Amazing arrogance! I am reminded of the words of Stephen shortly before he was stoned to death... "You men who are stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears are always resisting the Holy Spirit; you are doing just as your fathers did." (Acts 7:51+) But on the next day all the congregation of the sons of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron, saying, "You are the ones who have caused the death of the LORD'S people." - If this were not in the Bible, it would be difficult to believe they would dare make such an accusation after what they had just witnessed! How hard must their hearts have been. How deceived they were by their own sin. Accusation is yet another sign of unbelief. -- Larry Richards Did you catch their complaint? "You are the ones who have caused the death of the LORD'S people." They were not the LORD'S people. They had spurned Him and rejected His chosen leader (what a picture of the Jews in the NT - John 19:15-16). The path to open rebellion against God begins with dissatisfaction and skepticism, then moves to grumbling about both God and present circumstances. -- Life Application Study Bible THOUGHT - Are you dissatisfied or discontent with the lot God has given you? Are you skeptical of His existence or of the fact that He means what He says? Is so you are about to step into the "spiritual quicksands" called "grumbling" and it will potentially take you down, down, down! Confess and repent and walk in the light of the Gospel of Christ and the power of His Holy Spirit. Spurgeon - Wonderful audacity! Yesterday they fled in terror while they saw the earth open and swallow up the rebels, and now they, themselves, break out into revolt, and charge Moses with murdering those whom the Lord, himself, so justly executed. Is there any bound to human sin? Lions and tigers may be tamed, but man breaks off from all restraint, and follows his own devices, despite every warning and instruction. NET NOTE - The whole congregation here is trying to project its guilt on Moses and Aaron. It was they and their rebellion that brought about the deaths, not Moses and Aaron. The LORD had punished the sinners. The fact that the leaders had organized a rebellion against the LORD was forgotten by these people. The point here is that the Israelites had learned nothing of spiritual value from the event.
Números 16
Spurgeon reminds us that "Behold is a word of wonder; it is intended to excite admiration. Wherever you see it hung out in Scripture, it is like an ancient sign-board, signifying that there are rich wares within, or like the hands which solid readers have observed in the margin of the older Puritanic books, drawing attention to something particularly worthy of observation." I would add, behold is like a divine highlighter, a divine underlining of an especially striking or important text. It says in effect "Listen up, all ye who would be wise in the ways of Jehovah!" Bush - The intimation is that they, i. e., Moses and Aaron more especially, looked imploringly in that direction, that they invoked help from the Lord in his dwelling-place, and the consequence was an immediate manifestation in their favor. That awful phenomenon termed “the glory of the Lord,” shone forth, as on former occasions, with an aspect of threatening which they well understood. It was now, however, unaccompanied by any voice, but a silent judgment proceeded from it, as we learn from the effect that followed, which was the cutting off of more than 14,000 of the host by a deadly plague or stroke from the divine hand. Believer's Study Bible - Note that the cloud signified the presence of the Lord not only for guidance, but also for judgment (cf. Nu 12:5, 10; 14:10; 16:19). Numbers 16:43 Then Moses and Aaron came to the front of the tent of meeting, BGT Numbers 17:8 καὶ εἰσῆλθεν Μωυσῆς καὶ Ααρων κατὰ πρόσωπον τῆς σκηνῆς τοῦ μαρτυρίου NET Numbers 16:43 Then Moses and Aaron stood before the tent of meeting. NLT Numbers 16:43 Moses and Aaron came and stood in front of the Tabernacle, ESV Numbers 16:43 And Moses and Aaron came to the front of the tent of meeting, NIV Numbers 16:43 Then Moses and Aaron went to the front of the Tent of Meeting, KJV Numbers 16:43 And Moses and Aaron came before the tabernacle of the congregation. YLT Numbers 16:43 and Moses cometh -- Aaron also -- unto the front of the tent of meeting. LXE Numbers 16:43 And Moses and Aaron went in, in front of the tabernacle of witness. ASV Numbers 16:43 And Moses and Aaron came to the front of the tent of meeting. Numbers 16 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Then Moses and Aaron came to the front of the tent of meeting - They came to where God's presence was manifest. Numbers 16:44 and the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, Numbers 16 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries and the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, Numbers 16:45 "Get away from among this congregation, that I may consume them instantly." Then they fell on their faces. BGT Numbers 17:10 ἐκχωρήσατε ἐκ μέσου τῆς συναγωγῆς ταύτης καὶ ἐξαναλώσω αὐτοὺς εἰς ἅπαξ καὶ ἔπεσον ἐπὶ πρόσωπον αὐτῶν NET Numbers 16:45 "Get away from this community, so that I can consume them in an instant!" But they threw themselves down with their faces to the ground. NLT Numbers 16:45 "Get away from all these people so that I can instantly destroy them!" But Moses and Aaron fell face down on the ground. ESV Numbers 16:45 "Get away from the midst of this congregation, that I may consume them in a moment." And they fell on their faces. NIV Numbers 16:45 "Get away from this assembly so I can put an end to them at once." And they fell facedown. KJV Numbers 16:45 Get you up from among this congregation, that I may consume them as in a moment. And they fell upon their faces. YLT Numbers 16:45 'Get you up from the midst of this company, and I consume them in a moment;' and they fall on their faces, LXE Numbers 16:45 Depart out of the midst of this congregation, and I will consume them at once: and they fell upon their faces. ASV Numbers 16:45 Get you up from among this congregation, that I may consume them in a moment. And they fell upon their faces. Get: Nu 16:21,24,26 they fell: Nu 16:22 20:6 1Ch 21:16 Mt 26:39 Numbers 16 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries MOSES AND AARON ON THEIR FACES AGAIN Fell on face is a key phrase in Numbers 16 - Nu 16:2, Nu 16:22+, Nu 16:45+. Only 2 more times in entire book of Numbers (Nu 14:5+, Nu 20:6+). Get away from among this congregation, that I may consume them instantly." - This is the fourth time Yahweh is about to destroy His Chosen People! Then they fell on their faces - Surely they fell in plaintive pleading for the people not to perish. Bush - Doubtless to intercede afresh for these high-handed offenders. No provocations avail to abate their charity and compassion in behalf of the people, however undeserving. A true benevolence seems unable to discover that point in the divine displeasure beyond which it is in vain to sue for mercy. It will still lift up its prayer in the very article of inflicted vengeance. Comp. 1 Chron. 21:16. Spurgeon - This was the second time in which the Lord had spoken thus to his servants, and a second time they fall upon their faces in reverent but earnest intercession. They pleaded for those very people who were up in arms against them; such is the true love of God’s ministers. Never will they give sinners up while they have breath in their bodies. Numbers 16:46 Moses said to Aaron, "Take your censer and put in it fire from the altar, and lay incense on it; then bring it quickly to the congregation and make atonement for them, for wrath has gone forth from the LORD, the plague has begun!" BGT Numbers 17:11 καὶ εἶπεν Μωυσῆς πρὸς Ααρων λαβὲ τὸ πυρεῖον καὶ ἐπίθες ἐπ᾽ αὐτὸ πῦρ ἀπὸ τοῦ θυσιαστηρίου καὶ ἐπίβαλε ἐπ᾽ αὐτὸ θυμίαμα καὶ ἀπένεγκε τὸ τάχος εἰς τὴν παρεμβολὴν καὶ ἐξίλασαι περὶ αὐτῶν ἐξῆλθεν γὰρ ὀργὴ ἀπὸ προσώπου κυρίου ἦρκται θραύειν τὸν λαόν NET Numbers 16:46 Then Moses said to Aaron, "Take the censer, put burning coals from the altar in it, place incense on it, and go quickly into the assembly and make atonement for them, for wrath has gone out from the LORD– the plague has begun!" NLT Numbers 16:46 And Moses said to Aaron, "Quick, take an incense burner and place burning coals on it from the altar. Lay incense on it, and carry it out among the people to purify them and make them right with the LORD. The LORD's anger is blazing against them-- the plague has already begun." ESV Numbers 16:46 And Moses said to Aaron, "Take your censer, and put fire on it from off the altar and lay incense on it and carry it quickly to the congregation and make atonement for them, for wrath has gone out from the LORD; the plague has begun." NIV Numbers 16:46 Then Moses said to Aaron, "Take your censer and put incense in it, along with fire from the altar, and hurry to the assembly to make atonement for them. Wrath has come out from the LORD; the plague has started." KJV Numbers 16:46 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. YLT Numbers 16:46 and Moses saith unto Aaron, 'Take the censer, and put on it fire from off the altar, and place perfume, and go, hasten unto the company, and make atonement for them, for the wrath hath gone out from the presence of Jehovah -- the plague hath begun.' LXE Numbers 16:46 And Moses said to Aaron, Take a censer, and put on it fire from the altar, and put incense on it, and carry it away quickly into the camp, and make atonement for them; for wrath is gone forth from the presence of the Lord, it has begun to destroy the people. from off: Lev 9:24 10:1 16:12,13 Isa 6:6,7 Ro 5:9,10 Heb 7:25-27 9:25,26 Rev 8:3-5 and put: Ps 141:2 Mal 1:11 an atonement: Ex 30:7-10 Lev 16:11-16 1Jn 2:1,2 there is wrath: Nu 1:53 8:19 11:33 18:5 Lev 10:6 1Ch 27:24 Ps 106:29 Numbers 16 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Aaron Takes Censer with Incense Moses said to Aaron, "Take your censer and put in it fire from the altar, and lay incense on it; then bring it quickly to the congregation - NLT = "Quick, take an incense burner and place burning coals on it from the altar. Lay incense on it and carry it quickly among the people to make atonement for them." Spurgeon - His spiritual soul could see what others could not, for he perceived that danger was near. Those who have had communion with God possess a sensitiveness unknown to others. Moses bade Aaron hasten, and, indeed when men are dying, we must make no delay in our efforts to save them. Lord, help us to fly on the wings of love.
Números 16
Spurgeon reminds us that "Behold is a word of wonder; it is intended to excite admiration. Wherever you see it hung out in Scripture, it is like an ancient sign-board, signifying that there are rich wares within, or like the hands which solid readers have observed in the margin of the older Puritanic books, drawing attention to something particularly worthy of observation." I would add, behold is like a divine highlighter, a divine underlining of an especially striking or important text. It says in effect "Listen up, all ye who would be wise in the ways of Jehovah!" the plague had begun among the people - Time was of the essence. One can picture Aaron running into the throng standing between the dead and the living. This was a dramatic scene. In fact the entire chapter 16 is filled with some of the most dramatic scenes in the Scripture. So he put on the incense and made atonement for the people - The incense ascended to Heaven and God ceased the plague. Made atonement (03722)(kapar) means to make atonement, to make reconciliation (to reconcile), to purge, to make propitiation (to propitiate), to pacify, to cancel. The Septuagint uses the verb exilaskomai (from hilaskomai) which BDAG says means "When one endeavors to attain the goodwill of another, the word can be rendered appease." Exilaskomai is the Greek verb used to describe the scapegoat on the Day of Atonement who was "presented alive before the LORD, to make atonement upon it." (Lev 16:10+). Note that the verb is from the root hilaskomai "means to cause to be favorably inclined toward or favorably disposed toward another (as in Lk 18:13+). BDAG says it means "to eliminate impediments that alienate the deity, expiate, wipe out, of Christ as high priest" (He 2:17+) Hilaskomai means to be merciful, make reconciliation for, be propitious, gracious, to be favorably inclined." Bush - Aaron was as full of anxiety for the people as his brother. He instantly did as he was commanded. He ran into the midst of the congregation, fearless of their wrath, fearless of the contagion of the plague; he put the incense upon the sacred fire in the censer, and made an atonement with it for the people; and he stood between the living and the dead; and the plague was stayed. The spirit evinced both by Aaron and Moses, on this occasion, was pre-eminently worthy of such distinguished servants of heaven. Insulted and opposed as they had been, taunted and falsely accused, they have no ill will or resentment, they seek no revenge for themselves, nor feel gratification at the punishment of their factious and rebellious people. On the contrary, they suffer long and are kind. They count not their own lives dear unto themselves if so be that they may save the lives of these offenders. This is the conduct of men who are taught and governed by the laws of heaven. Spurgeon - The High Priest standing between the dead and the living Numbers 16:47, 48 Jesus, the propitiator, is to be looked upon as the ordained one—called of God as was Aaron. Settled in eternity as being the predestined propitiation for sin, he came into the world as an ordained priest of God; receiving his ordination not from man, neither by man; but like Melchisedec, the priest of the most high God, without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, he is a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec. Stand back, sons of Korah, all of you who call yourselves priests. I can scarce imagine that any man in this world who takes to himself the title of a priest, unless he takes it in the sense in which all God’s people are priests,—I cannot imagine that a priest can enter heaven. I would not say a thing too stern or too severe; but I do most thoroughly believe that an assumption of the office of priest is so base an assumption of the priestly office of Christ, that I could as well conceive of a man being saved who called himself God, as conceive of a man being saved who called himself a priest; if he really means what he says, he has so trampled upon the priestly prerogative of Christ, that it seems to me he has touched the very crown jewels, and is guilty of a blasphemy, which, unless it be repented of, shall surely bring damnation on his head. Shake your garments, you ministers of Christ, from all priestly assumption; come out from among them; touch not the unclean thing. There are no priests now specially to minister among men. Jesus Christ and he only is the priest of his Church. He has made all of us priests and kings unto our God. Numbers 16:48 He took his stand between the dead and the living, so that the plague was checked. BGT Numbers 17:13 καὶ ἔστη ἀνὰ μέσον τῶν τεθνηκότων καὶ τῶν ζώντων καὶ ἐκόπασεν ἡ θραῦσις NET Numbers 16:48 He stood between the dead and the living, and the plague was stopped. NLT Numbers 16:48 He stood between the dead and the living, and the plague stopped. ESV Numbers 16:48 And he stood between the dead and the living, and the plague was stopped. NIV Numbers 16:48 He stood between the living and the dead, and the plague stopped. KJV Numbers 16:48 And he stood between the dead and the living; and the plague was stayed. YLT Numbers 16:48 and standeth between the dead and the living, and the plague is restrained; LXE Numbers 16:48 And he stood between the dead and the living, and the plague ceased. ASV Numbers 16:48 And he stood between the dead and the living; and the plague was stayed. CSB Numbers 16:48 He stood between the dead and the living, and the plague was halted. NKJ Numbers 16:48 And he stood between the dead and the living; so the plague was stopped. NRS Numbers 16:48 He stood between the dead and the living; and the plague was stopped. Nu 16:18,35 25:8-11 2Sa 24:16,17,25 1Ch 21:26,27 1Th 1:10 1Ti 2:5,6 Heb 7:24,25 Jas 5:16 Joh 5:14 Numbers 16 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries High Priest Standing Between the Living and the Dead AARON STANDS IN THE GAP He took his stand between the dead and the living, so that the plague was checked - Aaron's quick actions averted a disaster with his burning incense standing in effect as a buffer or a mediator between those who had already died and those who were still alive. What a foreshadowing of Jesus Who took His stand on Calvary bearing our sin and paying the penalty of death that the "plague" of death would be checked in our lives forever and ever. Amen. Nu 1:53+ describes a somewhat parallel effect of the entire tribe of Levi - "But the Levites shall camp around the tabernacle of the testimony, so that there will be no wrath on the congregation of the sons of Israel. So the Levites shall keep charge of the tabernacle of the testimony.” In other words the tribe of Levi with Aaron as its head functioned as a "protective barrier" around the Tabernacle! Bell - What does the service of the priesthood involve by reading vs.48? Aaron literally becomes their savior standing between the living & the dead. To stop the plague. [type of Christ] His 1 censer accomplished more than the 250 censers of the rebels! THOUGHT - The plague stopped where Aaron prayed. Intercessors do the same thing today; they stand between the dead and the living, beseeching God’s mercy, preserving and promoting life with their prayer.. To stand between the dead and the living speaks of how serious the matter of prayer is; it is no casual pursuit, no fatalistic exercise in self-improvement. Prayer moves the hand of God, and moves it to stop death and to give life!. When was the last time we prayed as if life and death depended upon it? (Guzik) Bush - he stood between the dead and the living. Thus interposing between the infected and the uninfected portions of the camp, and exposing himself to the ravages of the plague in behalf of the people. “As one that would part a fray, he thrusts himself under the strokes of God, and puts it to the choice of the revenger whether he will smite him or forbear the rest; he stands boldly between the living and the dead, as one that will either die with them or have them live with him; the sight of fourteen thousand carcases dismayed him not; he that before feared the threats of the people now fears not the strokes of God.”—Bp. Hall. How striking a type of the intervention of our Lord do we recognize in the conduct of Aaron on this occasion. Our great and compassionate High-Priest, moved by the contemplation of our danger, not only at the hazard of life, but in the sure prospect of death, hastened into our midst to make atonement for us. Spurgeon - “Aaron wisely puts himself in the pathway of the plague. It came on, cutting down all before it, and there stood Aaron the interposer with arms outstretched and censer swinging towards the heaven, interposing himself between the darts of death and the people. ‘If there be darts that must fly,” he seemed to say, “let them pierce me; or let the incense shield both me and the people.’ ”...He stood as a champion, blocking the pathway of the destroyer. He came to the front of the danger, as though he would either die with the people, or else if he lived, they should live. Was it not bravely and kindly done of Aaron thus to stand in the gap for his enemies? What a noble type he was of the Lord Jesus, who interposed on our behalf! There is nothing that can save the soul of man except Jesus Christ standing between that soul and the judgment of God. -- David Guzik
Números 16
Spurgeon - Nu 16:48 “He stood between the dead and the living.” The authority of Moses and Aaron had been disputed by an ambitious man belonging to an elder branch of the family of Levi, who had craftily joined with certain factious spirits of the tribe of Reuben the firstborn. By an amazing judgment from heaven, God had proven that rebellion against Moses was a mortal sin. He had bid the earth open its mouth and swallow all the traitors, and both Levites and Reubenites had disappeared, covered in a living grave. One would have imagined that from this time the murmurings of the children of Israel would have ceased. Yet the day after that solemn transaction the whole of the people of Israel with unholy clamors surrounded Moses and Aaron, charging them with having put to death the people of the Lord. There is the infuriated mass of people in tumult against two men; the two might have sufficient cause for trembling. But just as they are rushing up like the waves of the sea, the cloudy pillar which hung above the tabernacle descends and envelopes in its fold, as with a protecting baptism, the whole of the sacred place. The people stand back a little; Moses and Aaron fall on their faces in prayer. But the destroying angel begins to mow down the outer ranks of the vast tumultuous host. Moses calls for Aaron to snatch fire from the holy altar and run among the people, which he does. When the incense is accepted in heaven, death stops his work. On this side are heaps on heaps of corpses, and there stand the crowd of people, living only because of Aaron’s intercession. This picture is a great spiritual type of what the Lord Jesus Christ has done for that erring multitude of people who “went astray like sheep; we all have turned to our own way” (Is 53:6). Numbers 16:49 But those who died by the plague were 14,700, besides those who died on account of Korah. BGT Numbers 17:14 καὶ ἐγένοντο οἱ τεθνηκότες ἐν τῇ θραύσει τέσσαρες καὶ δέκα χιλιάδες καὶ ἑπτακόσιοι χωρὶς τῶν τεθνηκότων ἕνεκεν Κορε NET Numbers 16:49 Now 14,700 people died in the plague, in addition to those who died in the event with Korah. NLT Numbers 16:49 But 14,700 people died in that plague, in addition to those who had died in the affair involving Korah. ESV Numbers 16:49 Now those who died in the plague were 14,700, besides those who died in the affair of Korah. NIV Numbers 16:49 But 14,700 people died from the plague, in addition to those who had died because of Korah. KJV Numbers 16:49 Now they that died in the plague were fourteen thousand and seven hundred, beside them that died about the matter of Korah. YLT Numbers 16:49 and those who die by the plague are fourteen thousand and seven hundred, apart from those who die for the matter of Korah; LXE Numbers 16:49 And they that died in the plague were fourteen thousand and seven hundred, besides those that died on account of Core. ASV Numbers 16:49 Now they that died by the plague were fourteen thousand and seven hundred, besides them that died about the matter of Korah. CSB Numbers 16:49 But those who died from the plague numbered 14,700, in addition to those who died because of the Korah incident. fourteen thousand: Nu 16:32-35 25:9 1Ch 21:14 Heb 2:1-3 10:28,29 12:25 Numbers 16 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries GRUMBLING CAN BE A DEADLY SIN! But those who died by the plague were 14,700, besides those who died on account of Korah - Nearly 15,000 people died because of four men who wanted to promote themselves. Of course the 14,700 were not innocent of guilt, but went along with the rebellion. Be careful following the crowd! Spurgeon - Who slew all these? Or rather, what slew them? Was it not sin which is a murderer from the beginning? Sin will slay us also unless we are sheltered behind our great High Priest. Adam
Números 16
Spurgeon - By such a terrible event of judgment, and such a wonderful miracle of mercy connected with Aaron’s priesthood, one would think that the question of his right to the sacred office would be settled for ever beyond all dispute, and yet it was not so. How set on mischief sinners are! Sin is ingrained in our very nature. Alas! alas! Let us, by faith, see our Lord Jesus standing between his living people and dead souls, waving his censer, and keeping off death from all his believing ones. He is our shield from the destroying plague of sin and all the powers of evil. His sacred person bars the way. Vengeance cannot smite those to whom the Lord’s Anointed is a shield. Happy they who have Jesus to stand before them. On one side all is ruin, on the other all is safety. On which side of Jesus are we at this hour? Are we with the living in him, or are we numbered with those who are without him, and consequently are condemned already? Lord save us, or we perish Jesus the merciful and true, Between the dead and living stand; The numerous dead, the living few, Who now divide this sinful land. Now in our midst, great Priest, appear, For sin thou hast atonement made, Present the incense of thy prayer, And let the plague of sin be stayed. ILLUSTRATION - The story is told of a judge who had been frequently ridiculed by a conceited lawyer. When asked by a friend why he didn’t rebuke his assailant, he replied, “In our town lives a widow who has a dog. And whenever the moon shines, it goes outside and barks all night.” Having said that, the magistrate shifted the conversation to another subject. Finally someone asked, “But Judge, what about the dog and the moon?” “Oh,” he replied, “the moon went on shining—that’s all.” ILLUSTRATION - I’ve shared this unforgettable story before, but I share it again because it illustrates how wrongly and rightly to serve God. At a pastors’ conference, Bill Mills told about when he was speaking to a group of Wycliffe missionaries in South America. On the last evening as he ate dinner with the director and his wife, she told him how years before they had been assigned to translate the Bible into one of the native tribal languages. This is a lengthy and tedious process which, before computers, often took up to twenty years. During that time, the translators were teaching the Scriptures and seeing a new church emerging among the tribe. But as the translation was almost done, the tribal people were becoming more and more involved in selling their crops for the drug trade and less and less interested in the Scriptures. When they finally finished the translation and scheduled a dedication of the New Testament, not even one tribal person came! This missionary wife was angry and bitter. She had given twenty years of her life so that these people could have the Scriptures, but they didn’t even want it! Then with regard to Bill’s ministry of the Word that week, she said (in, Finishing Well in Life and Ministry [Leadership Resources International], p. 190): God has … opened my eyes to see this all from His perspective. I am just beginning to realize now that we did it for Him! That is the only thing that makes any sense in all of this. We did it for God! Mills concludes, “That is the only thing that makes any sense in ministry. We do it for Him.” Amen! We serve God wrongly when we serve for ourselves, but rightly when we serve for Him. (Steven Cole) Life Application Study Bible - Korah's story gives us numerous warnings: Don't let desire for what someone else has make you discontented with what you already have. Don't try to raise your own self-esteem by attacking someone else's. Don't use part of God's Word to support what you want, rather than allowing its entirety to shape your wants. Don't expect to find satisfaction in power and position; God may want to work through you in the position you are now in. The High Priest Intercedes Henry Mahan The authority of Moses and Aaron had been questioned by Korah, Dathan, Abiram, and 250 men of renown in the congregation of Israel (vv. 1-4). Moses tried to show them the unreasonableness of their rebellion (vv. 5-11). Moses commanded them all to appear before the Lord the next day, with Aaron, to have the matter settled (vv. 16-18). When God would destroy the whole congregation, Moses and Aaron interceded for them (vv. 19-22). God opened the earth and swallowed up Korah, Dathan, Abiram, their families, and all that pertained to them (vv. 26-33). He then sent fire from heaven and consumed the 250 men who followed them and offered incense (vv. 34-35). The rebellion was not only against Moses (the prophet and leader) but against God's appointed High Priest, Aaron (vv. 9-11), which reveals rebellion against God's way of redemption through Christ; for Aaron represents Christ, our High Priest (Lev. 16:17-18; Lev. 16:33-34; Heb. 9:7-8). One would think that this incident would have a lasting effect on the people of Israel, but it did not; for the very next day all of the congregation murmured against Moses and Aaron saying, ‘You have killed the people of the Lord’ (v. 41). This reveals the total blindness and hardness of the human heart. No amount of signs, miracles, nor witnesses will bring men to God apart from divine regeneration and revelation. In John 5:32-40, our Lord declared to the religionists, ‘John bore witness to me... the works I do reveal who I am...the Father himself has verified my claims the scriptures testify of me.. but you will not come to me!’ The wrath of God arose against the rebellious people and he said to Moses, ‘Get you up from among this congregation that I may destroy them’ (v. 45). Moses instructed Aaron to take a censer, put fire in it from off the alter with incense, and go quickly unto the congregation and make an atonement for them before the Lord. The plague from God had begun (v. 46). Aaron, the High Priest, ran with the censer of incense and stood between the fallen dead and the living, for the plague had already killed 14,700 people. As Aaron stood between the Holy God and the people with the atonement, the plague stopped (vv. 47-49). This is one of the strong Old Testament pictures of our great High Priest, Jesus Christ. We will consider the type as we look at Aaron. 1. Aaron loved the sinful people These people certainly did not love Aaron. The whole plot was against him—to strip him of his office and take it unto themselves. Is not this the attitude of Adam's race against Christ? In the garden of Eden, at the tower of Babel, and at the cross the cry has been and is, ‘We will not have him reign over us.’ ‘They hated me without a cause.’ We would rob him of all his preeminence. Yet Aaron loved the people, and with no regard for his own life or safety, he rushed down among the people who were under the wrath of God and was identified with them. Christ, our Lord, loved us, came to earth, identified with us in the flesh under the law of God, and took upon himself the form of a servant (Phil. 2:6-8). ‘Herein is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins’ (1 John 4:10). 2. Aaron acted as God's High Priest Aaron did not rush before God empty-handed with only a plea for mercy and a prayer for compassion. The people had sinned, and the wrath of God cannot be lifted without a sin-offering and an atonement (Heb. 9:22). Aaron brought the censer of incense. Even so, Christ, our Lord, as our High Priest, must have somewhat to offer (Heb. 8:1-3). His tabernacle is his body; his sacrifice is himself; his atonement is his own blood (Heb. 9:11-12). Aaron did not plead their works and deeds, nor promise that they would do better in the future. He held up the atonement. Christ does not plead our righteousness, but his! He does not plead our works, but his! 3. Aaron served as the mediator The people were dropping like dust as Aaron stepped between them and God to plead God's mercy for them. He was saying, ‘Death and judgment, you must march over me and my atonement; you must smite God's High Priest and ignore God's atonement if you destroy the people.’ Wrath and judgment have a claim on us. Justice is ready to smile the sheep. But Christ, the Mediator, stands between us and the justice of God and says, ‘You must walk over me and ignore my blood to destroy my sheep’ (1 Tim. 2:5; Rom. 8:33-34). Aaron and his atonement was the only hope the people had, as Christ in you is the hope of glory. Aaron was the unaided mediator: he stood alone waving the censer, as Christ, by himself, purged our sins! Aaron was the sufficient saviour. Death came to his feet and stopped. Even so, our Lord Jesus Christ is the effectual, sufficient Redeemer of all who believe. Judgment must stop at his feet (Rom. 8:1); for ‘he is able to save to the uttermost all who come to God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them’ (Heb. 7:25; Heb. 10:12-17).