Rebellion!

Dear Class,

In today's reading (25 Feb), the Israelites yet again rebelled against God.
The consequence was the death of more than 15000 people! (c.f. Num 16:49, plus the princes and Korah and company)

Why did this happen? Were the rebels a "mixed multitude" (c.f. Num 11:4)? Not so! We are told they were "men of renown"! (Num 16:2)
People who were supposed to be held in respect, holding a certain amount of authority.
Yet, they had fell prey to the pride of life (remember 1Jhn 2:16?) and chose to pit themselves against God and his chosen. Certainly reminds us of 1Co 10:12; 1Co 9:27.

Notice yet again, when the rebels were miraculously destroyed in what would have been a most dramatic and impactful manner, the people did not repent but murmured against Moses and Aaron! (Num 16:41) The result was the plagued that killed 14700 people and would have been more if Aaron had not made atonement immediately.

Yet as we shake our heads in disbelief at the foolishness and stubbornness of the Israelites, we need to constantly look at ourselves.
Bearing in mind this is not a mere story for us to enjoy, but an example for us to take heed.
Are we at times "stiff-necked and uncircumcised"? meaning stubborn and profane? Have we time and again let God down, even though he continues to bless us again and again?
True, the Israelites had first hand account of the hand of God, but we have the COMPLETE WORD revealed, of which even the angels desired to look upon! (1Pe 1:12)
What is our excuse for not following the Word of God?

We note:
1Co 10:1  Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;
1Co 10:2  And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;
1Co 10:3  And did all eat the same spiritual meat;
1Co 10:4  And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.
1Co 10:5  But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness.
1Co 10:6  Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.

Furthermore:
Heb 3:14  For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end;
Heb 3:15  While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.
Heb 3:16  For some, when they had heard, did provoke: howbeit not all that came out of Egypt by Moses.
Heb 3:17  But with whom was he grieved forty years? was it not with them that had sinned, whose carcases fell in the wilderness?
Heb 3:18  And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not?
Heb 3:19  So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.

Dear brethren, let us always, ALWAYS be reminded of our ultimate goal in life and exhort one another to press on unto perfection.

in Him