December 15th - Reflection

Reading
Numbers 16:20-35 (NRSV)
God destroys Korah's company
Then the Lord spoke to Moses and to Aaron, saying: Separate yourselves from this congregation, so that I may consume them in a moment. They fell on their faces, and said, "O God, the God of the spirits of all flesh, shall one person sin and you become angry with the whole congregation?"

And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: Say to the congregation: Get away from the dwellings of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram. So Moses got up and went to Dathan and Abiram; the elders of Israel followed him. He said to the congregation, "Turn away from the tents of these wicked men, and touch nothing of theirs, or you will be swept away for all their sins." So they got away from the dwellings of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram; and Dathan and Abiram came out and stood at the entrance of their tents, together with their wives, their children, and their little ones. And Moses said, "This is how you shall know that the Lord has sent me to do all these works; it has not been of my own accord: If these people die a natural death, or if a natural fate comes on them, then the Lord has not sent me. But if the Lord creates something new, and the ground opens its mouth and swallows them up, with all that belongs to them, and they go down alive into Sheol, then you shall know that these men have despised the Lord."

As soon as he finished speaking all these words, the ground under them was split apart. The earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up, along with their households - everyone who belonged to Korah and all their goods. So they with all that belonged to them went down alive into Sheol; the earth closed over them, and they perished from the midst of the assembly. All Israel around them fled at their outcry, for they said, "The earth will swallow us too!" And fire came out from the Lord and consumed the two hundred fifty men offering the incense.

Reflection
Whew! Don't cross that guy! The ground splits apart and you and everything about you are gone! All over a petty argument! It seems there was a challenge not only among priests but also among the congregation. Underneath it all was a challenge to the leadership of God and Moses from the congregation of people.

Moses speaks up once again for the people. Moses at least speaks to God to punish only the offenders and not the entire congregation. The rebels sins are pollution spreading through the congregation. These rebels have despised the LORD.

Even in the midst of the wilderness of our lives, it's important to know the presence of God. It's important to know that God is there, even when you feel so far away. It's easy for me, especially when I'm ill or someone close to me is in some sort of trouble, to sin and try to solve it all by myself. In this way, I pretend to be God. It never works out. It's only until I break down and deal with my own failure and inability to solve the problems that I reach out to what was always there by my side...Jesus, my Savior. It's such a selfish sin. So I turn, repent, and give myself over to God. Sounds easy! But it's not. Even then, after giving over, I need direction. I need to seek and listen for God's Word. I need prayer, talk, communion with other Christians, communion with God. That answer may be subtle or slow coming. The answer may never fully develop to my satisfaction, but remember to give it over to God. Patience may be tested. And sometimes the answer ends up right in front of me. I could never predict it or understand it but I must have faith that God will show me the way and the path to follow.

Prayer
Lord, if I ever turn from You and run the other way, please chase me down! Please run after me and shake me up in such a way that I see You once again. Forgive my selfish sin and show me the path to take. ---Amen