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Numbers 16 – #48 Praying through the Bible – A Prayer for the Hard to Believe
“Learn from the mistakes of others. You can’t live long enough to make them all yourself” (Eleanor Roosevelt). “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again but expecting different results” (Albert Einstein). Apparently Einstein knew the Israelites, but the Israelites did not know Eleanor.
There are Biblical stories hard to fathom; so sensational they appear unreal. At times I am teetering between accepting and seeking some literary rational to explain it all away. Such is Korah’ rebellion; all in all there appears to be three: religious discontent (Nm 16.3,10), political character assignation (16.12-14), and personal blame (16.41-42). Like prior revolts, these end in failure. The earth swallows him and his ilk so that they descend alive into Sheol (16.30-33); the opposite of Enoch (Gn 5.21-24). Then fire burns 250 followers (16.35), reminiscent of Nadab and Abihu also involving firepans (Lv 10; Nm 16.17). Followed by a plague (16.46), which makes me wonder if it was leprosy like what befell Miriam because of the similar nature of both rebellions (12). But wait, these divine demonstrations are not the part hard to believe. Once you accept “in the beginning God,” believing in miracles is easy. So what’s almost unbelievable?
It’s the “Einsteinian” spiritual insanity. If I didn’t know better, I would think the author had run out of original ideas and is in a writing rut. And yet, the Israelites are that stubborn. Add to that the impeccably insane timing; right after Israel rejects Canaan out of fear, and soon after the mutiny committed by Miriam and Aaron. Why do these two groups commit the same sins? Obviously, they hadn’t heard of Eleanor Roosevelt’s advice! Possibly it was the excitement of new adventures (i.e., entering Canaan) and the disappointment of walking away empty-handed (i.e., leaving Canaan). Emotions can lead to rebellions of all sorts, sins “at the cost of their own lives (16.38). I wish Aaron would have advised, “Look, we made the same mistake. Learn from the mistakes of others. You won’t live long if you don’t.”
Let’s focus on Moses’ prayers. The first asks God not to respect the offering of the rebels. Such seems out of character for a humble man, but their sins “conspired against” and “despised the LORD” (16.11,30); and they had complained against two innocent men even implying false allegations (16.11,15). Humility lets God take control and be the judge. In this there are two key phrases: 1) “He will let the one He chooses come near Him” (16.5); “The LORD sent me to do all these things and that it was not of my own will” (16.28). Humility accepts our place in God’s plan. The second request is for the physical salvation of the dubious “innocent” (16.19, 22). Moses is willing to continually overlook so much for those he loves and leads. How unbelievable is that?
Prayer Challenge: Pray: 1) for contentment for our place in God’s kingdom, whether great or small; 2) that we will not take our own revenge against personal insults; 3) for the well-being of those who really don’t like us and keep proving it.
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