The Price of Rebellion

Numbers 16 tells the story of Korah's rebellion towards Moses, which resulted in the death of almost 15,000 people. At first appearance, Korah only appears to be rebelling against Moses:

They gathered together against Moses and Aaron, and said to them, “You take too much upon yourselves, for all the congregation is holy, every one of them, and the LORD is among them. Why then do you exalt yourselves above the assembly of the LORD?” - Numbers 16:3

However, God regarded rebellion against God's chosen leaders as rebellion against God himself.

Therefore you and all your company are gathered together against the LORD. And what is Aaron that you complain against him?” - Numbers 16:11

This kind of rebellion hurt God's heart, and the punishment was severe. God is unchanging, and He still feels the same about rebellion today. If it were not for the blood of Christ, most of us would be swallowed alive by the earth by now.

Holy and Acceptable

Reading through the Old Testament, it becomes clearer and clearer that God expects things to be to a certain high standard. The specifications of the sacrifices required by the Israelites are laid out in extensive detail.

What does this mean for us today in the New Covenant?

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

-Romans 12:1-2

The covenant has changed, the law has changed, but the principle still remains the same. God requires a holy and acceptable sacrifice through us.

Fig Leaves

When Adam sinned, he tried to cover himself up with fig leaves. This was a clumsy thing for him to do. God was prepared to give him hand-made leather apparel to cover his shame. Adam instead tried to hide it from God.

When God exposes areas of our life that we should clean up, we have 2 choices. We can either choose to cover it up and let it remain in us only to have it come out again, or we can come clean, and expose ourselves to God to let Him do a changing work in us.

But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. - 2 Corinthians 2:18