DCLM Daily Manna 4 December 2019 – A Warning Memorial

Topic: A Warning Memorial
[DCLM Daily Manna 4 December 2019 Daily Devotional by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi]

 

Te

xt: Numbers 16:36-40
36 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

37 Speak unto Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest, that he take up the censers out of the burning, and scatter thou the fire yonder; for they are hallowed.

38 The censers of these sinners against their own souls, let them make them broad plates for a covering of the altar: for they offered them before the LORD, therefore they are hallowed: and they shall be a sign unto the children of Israel.

39 And Eleazar the priest took the brasen censers, wherewith they that were burnt had offered; and they were made broad plates for a covering of the altar:

40 To be a memorial unto the children of Israel, that no stranger, which is not of the seed of Aaron, come near to offer incense before the LORD; that he be not as Korah, and as his company: as the LORD said to him by the hand of Moses.

Key Verse: “And Eleazar the priest took the brasen censers, wherewith they that were burnt had offered; and they were made broad plates for a covering of the altar” – (Numbers 16:39).

MESSAGE:

King Uzziah of Judah had a very long reign and was undoubtedly one of the most successful. He sought God in the days of Zechariah and God made him to prosper. But when he became strong, his heart became proud. He went into the temple to offer incense which was the exclusive duty of the sons of Aaron. God struck him with leprosy and he eventually died a leper.

God had instructed Moses to direct Eleazar to make thin plates from the brazen censers with which the 250 rebellious Levites had offered incense before the Lord. This was to be used as a covering for the altar and as a warning that nobody who is not a descendant of Aaron was allowed to offer incense before the Lord.

God is a God of order and not the Author of confusion. He appointed Moses as the leader of Israel and Aaron as the high priest. Korah, Dathan and Abiram felt that perhaps God had made a mistake and wanted to exalt themselves by putting themselves into where God had not put them. They met a tragic end. Same goes for Absalom and Adonijah. Self-exaltation is sin because those that exalt themselves will be abased. Like God told Aaron and Miriam when they spoke against Moses, “If there be a prophet among you, I the LORD will make myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream” (Numbers 12:6). So, if the Lord has not spoken to someone and he arrogates to himself the privilege of leadership, such a one risks the displeasure and judgment of God.

Every Christian therefore must abide in his calling and let God be God, the Sovereign, who has “set the members every one of them in the body as it hath pleased him” (1 Corinthians 12:18). Let us be content therefore, and faithful with what God has given us to do.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Be contented where God puts you.

THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Hosea 5-9