PerryDox – BeJustAChristian

“Let God be God.” I heard that phrase and it struck me and stuck with me due to its simplicity. There are many applications.
Let’s look at just one.
Numbers 17 reveals a challenge as to whom can serve as priest, that is who can come before the Lord. Notice the complaint begins with a truth (“we are all holy” – Num.16:5); but ends with a falsehood (i.e. God did not choose Moses and Aaron for special leadership roles). Specifically it started with Korah and his levitical followers (Numbers 16:5). It often starts with one.
As an aside, look how ungrateful these Levites were. Already they were set apart from the majority in serving the priests and Tabernacle (16:9-10). But that was not enough!
As a modern application, there are challenges today as to what roles God chooses whom to serve how. It likewise starts with a truth (“we all are made in the image of God”); but ends in a falsehood (God did not choose men for special leadership roles).
To make His point even more emphatic, God expands beyond the Levites to include all 12 tribes, who were to submit an elder’s rod. If a separate Levite besides Aaron was chosen (likely since the grief started with Korah), that’s 13 rods in total. Aaron’s blossomed, even producing almonds (Numbers 17:8)! God made His choice, and made it clear. Moses, who led the object lesson, and Aaron, were God’s special servants.
We could stop here with this needed lesson in authority – “Let God be God”. Stopping here though is missing the powerful reason why we should let God be God.
Hmmm, 13…1 side by side with 12…with emphasis on 1 (one chosen, and shall we say one “conspirator” – 16:11)! Then one of the 13…comes back to life! See similarities to another narrative resulting in a resurrection?!
Numbers 17 is a narrative in authority, that ends with new life. Importantly it also ends with the majority realizing: “Look, we’re perishing! We’re lost; we’re all lost! Anyone who comes near the LORD’s tabernacle will die. Will we all perish?” (Num.17:12-13 CSB’17).
We are all lost…until we recognize that we need to let God be God and why!