Thursday, February 9, 2012

Today's reading is in Numbers, chapters 16-18.  Korah, a Levite, and two Reubenites lead a revolt of 250 men who oppose Moses and Aaron as leaders.  It seems that over and over the Israelites need to be reminded that Moses and Aaron are taking instruction directly from God and need to be obeyed.  Their revolt is not tolerated by God.  He opens the ground and swallows up Korah and his family.  The 250 men who brought censers with incense as instructed were burned to death with fire from their own censers.  The censers were then hammered into a covering for the altar as a reminder, as ordered by God.  Reminders and reminders, but they never seem to remember.  It makes me want to carefully examine my own behavior.  I am sure they were feeling very committed to their cause -- right up to the fire.